Jo's Journal

11:32:58 AM EDT

Finally, I am posting some pics of Jade and her new horse---Sunny.

Jade decided on a name for the kitten----Simba.

Tomorrow is my birthday. the big 41.  Glenn decided that since this was his weekend off from work that we would spend the day together. He picked me up at about 10 and we went over to the area where he lives. We went out for lunch---but I had breakfast. Then we went to the Prince Galitzin Park and spent the afternoon on the lake.  He took me out on the boat and even let me drive it. That was an experience.  One good thing--I didn't crash it!!  (lol)

He gave me my birthday present---a 1/2 carat diamond ring and he gave me a bouquet of flowers----which I forgot to post here. (oops--I will later).

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9:15:07 PM EDT

We've got an addition to our family.....isn't he cute!  He's about 10 weeks old. 

He doesn't have a name yet----Jade and I have been tossing a few around...but haven't decided on anything concrete at this point.

Suggestions are welcome!!

Will let you know what we've chosen---

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11:18:15 AM EDT

Glenn.  His name is Glenn. 

He brought me another dozen roses....the week after I got the first dozen.  Only thing is---he personally delivered these ones.  As a special added touch---he threw in a half-dozen pink carnations (my favorite flower). 

Last Sunday Glenn came over for dinner, and then we took a road trip to meet one of my sisters (#2). She actually liked him, and he thought that she was out of this world hilarious (trust me...my sister is!!). My other sister (#1) has spoken to Glenn on the phone a few times, but they haven't met yet. We are trying to get that arranged. 

Jade and I went to Camp Hill on Friday to visit sister #1.  Glenn had to work and was not able to go along with us for the visit.  It was a rather interesting visit. 

We arrived at about 6 in the evening.  C had already checked us in at the motel, and was waiting for us when we got there.  As soon as I got out of the car she came over to me and gave me a hug. She said "You look like, Mom."  I said "That's funny---I was just going to tell you the same thing."   We dropped our suitcases in the room and then headed off to supper.

C took us to a Chinese buffet restaurant. It was OK. I didn't eat much--there was too much to choose from---plus I am having some health issues and my MD told me to watch the sodium....I did have a small bowl of hot & sour soup....C says "I have to take you to this other chinese restaurant---they have the best hot & sour soup."  I thought that she meant we would go on another visit--not that night!!

After we ate, I told her that I needed to stop by a store and get wrapping paper---because I brought her Jasmine's b-day gift---but didn't pick up any wrapping paper.  We stopped by a dollar store--gotta love those!!  Afterwards, we dropped C's hubby off at home. C then drove us around the corner from her house and took us to the Chinese restaurant---and all we ordered was the hot & sour soup. LOL...

We talked about Glenn andmy sister asked Jade if she liked Glenn and Jade said "No."  C says "Well...that could be a problem then." I know that Jade is not fond of him---and she feels like he's "ruining her life."  It's a tense situation for us both right now.

C dropped us off at the motel and Jade and I got ready for bed. It was a long night----we had train tracks behind the building---and heard the trains throughout the night.  Then there were sirens galore.....at 7:30 a.m. the alarm clock went off....I woke up...shut it off----and said "Jade, did you set the alarm???" She says "No." So I got up---showered & dressed.  While Jade was getting ready for the day, I walked to the lobby of the motel to see what the continental breakfast was all about......nothing to our liking---so I went back to the room and told Jade that we would be going out for breakfast. We walked to a nearby restaurant.

C's granddaughter's b-day party was that afternoon and we attended that before we came home yesterday.  It was a nice time and I got to spend some time with my nephew and I finally got to meet his wife.

At the party, one of the kids got bit by a horse-fly.  My sister said to put a certain kind of something on it....but Jasmine's other grammy didn't have what my sister was looking for. So, my sister goes off to the store to get some. Jade and I tagged along.....We stopped at a drugstore and went in...I had to drop back---because I didn't want my sister to see me rolling on the floor laughing at her parading through the drug store with just her bathing suit on!!!  I guess you just had to be there to appreciate it.

We are getting ready to leave----I bought a horse for Jade....a 14-year-old palomino named Sunny.  I have to drop her off at the barn and she and her riding instructor are going to load him up and bring him to the stable today.  (Pictures will be forthcoming). 

After I get back from dropping Jade off, Glenn and I will be spending the afternoon together before we go off to the baseball game this evening----hope it doesn't rain!!

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9:28:09 AM EDT

Got this from over at Joann's Weight Loss Journey

Silly survey (found in Firestorm's journal)

1. What was the highlight of your day?   It's 9 a.m.---nothing stands out at this point. But Jade's getting a horse today, and Glenn and I are going to a baseball game (if it doesn't rain).

2. How many meals do you usually eat a day?  Aim for 3.

3. What's your favorite movie? The Illusionist.

4. Have you ever thought George Clooney was hot? Eh....he's handsome.

5. Have you ever doubted your sexual orientation? NEVER!!! 

6. How long has it been since you have seen an ex? About 4 years, I guess.

7. Name 5 of your best friends: Natalie, Maria, Amy, Beth, & Karen.

8.Would you ever consider Moving to Zimbabwe? No                       

9. What would you do if someone dyed your pubic hairs bright pink permanently? That would be interesting----I would say something---but I will keep this clean.

9. Would you ever dye your hair pink (the hair on your head)??? I would not dye my hair pink...but Joann...I also has purple hair way back when---it looked black though.

10. When was the last time you had Starbucks? A few months ago.

11. Are you single? These days---I have to say "No."

12. What is your opinion on global warming.  It's definitely changing the ways of the world.

13. What about abortion?  This is avery controversial issue.

14. Which would you rather star in: High School Musical or Striptease? Definitely Striptease!!

15. What's the worst movie you've ever seen?  Guinevere

16. How many times do you sneeze a day?  IDK

17. Are you an "adult"?  For the most part.

18. Where do you live? In the heart of Pennsylvania!!

19. Have you ever thought Michael Jackson was going to kidnap you? No

20. What color hair do you have? It's brown

21. Would you rather have a hybrid vehicle or a Hummer? A hybrid. 

22. Who is prettier: Angelina Jolie or Kate Bosworth? I don't know....I don't keep up with the stars...but looks aren't everything.

23. What do you think about the tabloids?  Not much---I don't read them.

24. Have you ever been to Texas? No

25. Would you want to go? It's not on my list of places to go or see.

26. Do you wear a watch? I have several---but don't wear any of them.

27. Have you ever had the sensation that you were falling while asleep?  Yes.

28. Would you rather work at Goodwill or McDonalds?  Goodwill

29. What do you think about Britney Spears' 16 year old sis getting pregnant? It's sad...a kid having a kid.

30. Do you recycle? Yes.

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9:24:21 PM EDT

I brought "him" home on Friday evening to meet Jade.  I suppose that went OK...she was civil--which surprised the heck out of me.  She hasn't said a word about him though. So at this point I have no idea whether she hates him or likes him or what.....I didn't ask her what she thought about him---because earlier last week we had a huge fight about him. Mostly because I haven't dated anyone since I left Jade's dad---9 years ago.  I know that this is going to be hard for her.

On Saturday night, Jade went to a sleep over.  He called me around 8-ish and said "what are you doing?"  I told him that I had my PJ's on and was getting ready to go to bed....we talked for a while and then we hung up.  About 5 minutes later my phone rang again---it was him....he said "Hey!"  I said "What:?" He goes "Get your ass dressed! I'm coming over in about an hour---we're going to go out and have a couple drinks." So I got ready and he was 15 minutes early---I walked outside and he said "My God...you look gorgeous." Hugged me and says "You smell good, too."  We went out and had a few drinks----came home and he came in for a while.  I called my sister and he talked to her---he told her that he loved me and my sister says "After everything she's told me--I believe you."

Today he came home with me---and we were going to go for a walk---started out that way---but a big storm came through---so that was short lived--we ran back to his car and sat and talked for a while---but the rain didn't stop so we went to the store and got stuff to make Cheese quesadillas, came home nad we just hung out here with Jade for a while.

As time is going on here, we are finding out that we have quite a bit in common and like a lot of the same things. 

I was in a rocky relationship with Jade's dad...and I am kind of reluctant to get involved...but for some reason---this kind of seems right.  I guess we will just have to see how things progress for us. He tells me that he's loved me for years and on Friday he told me that I walked away from him once..."I won't let it happen again."

He seems sincere....in his words and in his actions---

 

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7:08:48 PM EDT

My friend from work......look what he sent me today!!!!

________________________________________________

Thought I would post a recent pic....this was taken a few weeks ago.

 

 

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7:03:46 PM EDT
Feeling Quiet

It seems like eternity since I posted an entry here.

First, I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the condolences that were extended to me and my family.  Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated at this very sad time for us.

I arrived home on Friday late afternoon and got back in the early evening on Saturday. I said to my daughter, "We've only been gone for one day---but it seems like a week." She said "I know." 

Friday night was the visitation at the funeral home.  I did OK with that---until we went and watch a slide show of pictures that someone put together of my nephew. A picture came across the screen of my nephew and my dad---and I just started crying when that picture came up.  There were a lot of people there--and some of them I haven't seen in years. One lady hadn't seen me since Jade was in my belly...14 years ago.  I introduced Jade to the lady and she said "I remember when you were in there!" (She was pointing to my belly)---we laughed. 

I hugged my sister who lost her son---she said "It's not supposed to be this way."  I told her "I know....."   

Saturday was just graveside services for the family and a few others that the family invited.  Very, very sad---I cried the whole time.  My nephew (the brother of the one who passed away) and I just held onto each other and cried....we were like siblings growing up---because I was the youngest child, I was essentially raised with the grand kids.  It was a very hard day for us. 

I spent the bulk of the day on Sunday at home----crying---sleeping---crying---sleeping. 

This has been a traumatic loss for my family. Not because my nephew was so young (34)...but because for our side of the family---he was number 1 in everything: first child and first son for my sister and her husband, number one grandchild---number one grandson.......number one nephew.......the sun pretty much rose and set on him.

Today he joins his grandparents---my mom & my dad---in glory---and I am quite certain that they are happy to be with him once again.

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6:16:34 AM EDT

My nephew was an organ donor.  When I spoke with my sister, she said that the doctors told her that they were able to harvest my nephew's heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys, & corneas.

So--some good has come out of this and today there are quite a few people who have a new lease on life.

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10:48:04 PM EDT

I am overwhelmed by the reponse of sympathy that has been extended to me and my family at this time of loss.  We are eternally grateful for you thoughts and prayers.

I will be headin' home on Friday afternoon for the weekend.  The visitation is Friday night, and the funeral services are going to be on Saturday at the convenience of the family.

Thanks again for all of your kind words.

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11:12:33 PM EDT
Feeling Crushed

I received some very sad news today----my eldest nephew was in a motorcycle accident yesterday---he was in critical condition but did not survive.  He died today. He was 33 and leaves behind a young son and a daughter. 

We were raised like brother and sister.....he was only 7 years younger than me. So this news is devastating to me.

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