Hang in there, old girl!

The old girl has survived quite a few changes in the passing years. Beginning with brand spanking new cedar siding and cream city brick, she's been painted and scrubbed and roofed over time. She lived through the lean years when improvements were done piecemeal as the money became available. Slowly, and with much effort, her
accessories began to accumulate.

Grass supplanted clay, a patio overlaid stones, flowers and slender trees began to take root. Little ones played in the grassy backyard, their shouts and giggles welcomed by her. She opened her arms to lots of children, some who stayed and others who just spent some time and passed through. Young adults loved her yard, even more when a tree was felled and a meeting place evolved around a 'stumping'. Somehow, they found welcome standing around a fire in a suburban neighborhood at midnight.

Sometimes the improvements were done out of necessity...others times it was sheer vanity...(like the time that her makeup was retouched carefully because a wedding was about to happen in the family!) One year she even added a 'bustle' in back, hoping that the old gentleman who had newly joined the inhabitants would be able to get out into the sun and fresh air with little effort. She welcomed him and the improvements he brought. The years have been good to her, in the main. The trees have grown tall, shading the sunlit backyard. A circle of bright flowers. and a tree, bursting with blooms, grace the front entrance. The circle is called "Katrina", reminiscent of the time that the youngest son of the house arrived with his precious Sissy and their dog and little else as they fled the hurricane in New Orleans. The house welcomed them and they built the circle in thanksgiving.

But this winter. This cold, harsh, snow-laden winter has revealed deep wrinkles in the old gal. She obviously needs a little 'face lift'! So today, a metal scaffolding graces the front facade. Men in shorts and t-shirts and strong brown arms climb ladders, carrying new 'eyebrows'. The gutters that just couldn't survive the ice storms of the winter of '08 are coming down. They looked so sad, drooping across her weathered face. Hopefully the cosmetic makeover will only enhance her dear old face. Soon the men will take down the scaffolding, pack up their huge white truck and leave her, looking spiffy in her old age. And, as usual, she'll welcome the change.

One can only hope...

Wellll....let's see if I have done this correctly. I set up the blog, and now I'm not so sure of how to add to it. I have this urge to write...and if this blog becomes active, I'll have fun with it. I'm off to my 'personal trainer'... a new thing for me. Nicole is very nice...in wonderful shape, and very patient with an old lady who is trying new tricks! She is from the Beloit/Janesville area and has a sister in Phoenix who will be married in the near future, so I am hearing all sorts of pre-wedding stories. She's always been the athletic one in her family...and I have never been! It shows! She's kind...but very firm. I work pretty hard for an hour twice a week, and it is helping me stay focused on getting a handle on my various medical problems. Whew! See...when you get old, you start talking about your health to the dismay of all those in hearing distance. I am an inverterate grumbler, and as my bumper sticker says "Inside every old person is a young one saying What Happened?" I'll leave you with that thought and go off to my torture chamber - the Fitness Together center1

Andy and Will visit 2008

Sooo.. Andy and Will came to visit. Andy was busy with his 25th reunion from The Medical College,and Will got to watch baseball with Grampa. We went out to brunch with Andy and Will, and Laurie, Mark, Kelly and Meg. Fun quick weekend visit.