My Apple Moments

First how sad is it someone is taken so young and especially someone who today I heard called the Thomas Edison of our time. Steve Jobs was definitely a young pioneer of the computer evolution/revolution. Most people in fifty six years don't even come close to accomplishing what he did with his other Apple partners.

When I heard of his passing I like others really wasn't that surprised. After hearing his cancer tale I thought how not only was he a giant in the Apple world but also in his daily fight for life for the past several years.

Of course I had to think how Apple had touched my life for the past several decades. My first experience was back in the Apple hayday when they was just getting started. My early overall computer experience started in the early 1980's at work. Most of the programs were written in a language I had no clue about but when our employees in the department I was working in all got computers I think the majority of the people thought. Huh! this won't last.. Are we all getting a laugh now. The screen was green and hurt your eyes after a couple hours and every time we had a problem we went to our go to guy Ron who would get us out of a jam. To this day I am not a technical computer expert and will never be one. I think of myself as a self starter and still just through one in front of me and I can figure things out. But today it's much easier to figure things out than back then.

Forward to 1986 or 1987 when David came home with a surprise. He did that often when he was working for the moving companies. Be it a side-by-side refrigerator, a dinette set and two brand new mattress, he always came home with a treasure.

One of the early Apple computers appeared one night. Ok what am I suppose to do with it? There was no instructions and when you turned it on this is what you saw. >C. No pretty Apple logo, no type in your password. Needless to say, it pretty much sat there for several months, collecting dust and useless when we tried to locate directions we seemed at a loss. I think we eventually gave it to a relative to make better use of it. I saw the model we had when they were showing early pictures of Apple computers.

Move forward to about 5 years ago when our daughter went away to photography school. Our first conversation on her first days was how great the Apple computer system was. State of the art. The second comment out of her mouth was she would love to have one when she got home but they were really expensive. When I went for a visit I had a chance to use one at the school. It was a long way from the early 80's model we had. The screen was massive and the color graphics was amazing and are always getting better and faster.

Since that time the IPhone, IPad have graced our technological universe. What started off as a tiny little screen with a massive keyboard and drive in one, now is a world of you can do anything. What a man he was and he will be ever considered probably the pioneer of the computer world.

A Weekend Together-Corvette Funfest 2011

Being married for 27 years takes a lot of hard work. I always say David and I are ying and yang. We are about as different as you can get. I can't imagine being married to someone just like myself. We would literally kill each other. I always think difference make a better match than similarities in marriage.

With our work we spend more time on the phone than together sometimes. It was hard early in our marriage. Yes I cried alot and complained but after many years I have learned to except (as best I can) that his job puts him away from home usually 290-295 days a year. So the days he is home we try and take as much advantage together as we can.

Five years ago he came back from one of his trips out and showed interest in attending a Corvette event in Illinois. As long as I can remember he always wanted a Vet. One year for Christmas I bought him a Red model and said, "Honey this is probably as close to a Vet as you will get". Little did I realize that many years later we would be able to fulfill that dream.

So that first year we went just as observers. Some were for sell, but definitely out of our price range. That same year his good friend told him about a neighbor who had one just sitting in his garage that he might want to sell. It was in good running order but had been painted over and needed a little work. Of course David thought he would have time to "work on it" and five years later it still sits in our driveway.

When our 25Th Anniversary came up two years ago we found another Vet that was calling our name. This one was in much better shape.

Although we only get to drive it maybe 4-6 months out of the year. We both look forward to our time driving it. I guess we are living our second half life zipping around in a cool car. Nothing the matter with that!! It actually makes us both appreciate the time and work we have accomplished in being able to have such a special car.

We scheduled this year's trip and were glad when time came to attend the Funfest this year. It's a time we get to spend with each other and enjoy looking at the other Vet's and reconnect again. We were able to attend some seminars on troubleshooting, doing things that can make our vet continue to work better and look better too. The theme this year was Patriotic, so our red Vet fit in perfectly.

We are considering maybe joining a Corvette Car Club so we can better utilize the networking available through the clubs and also go on run's.

A dream was realized that we never thought would be and it also brings us something that we both enjoy. Looking forward to getting to the funfest next year if time permits.

It is wonderful to find something that gives us relaxation time and gets us away from the daily ratrace. I recommend everyone stop and smell the roses or the smell of exhaust from a beautiful car. The roses smell better but the cars sure look good too.

9/11/2011 Ten Years Later

I like millions of Americans turned the television on and couldn't believe my eyes. The first tower had already been hit and I was numb watching a second plane come what seemed like slow motion hurl into the second tower. Was this happening? My second thought took me immediately back to the late 1980's and a trip I made with a group. We had our pictures taken in front of the Tower #2 sign and also again on the 107th floor in front of a window. The view that day wasn't good, it was very foggy and cold and I remember how I felt like I was swaying side to side being up that high. I remember my friend saying it was like being up in heaven in the clouds. Little did I realize that thirteen years later those words would send a chill through me.

I also contributed to the 9/11 fund back in 2001 but the other thing that went over and over in my mind is what can I do and what should I be doing?

It had been several years since I had been to church to worship and that first Sunday after the attack I went to church with my mother-in-law. I felt I needed to have a little time with God and make my presence known or a sort of repentance that I was sorry that I had been away so long. My time had stood still that day and I was at a loss as to what I should be doing to make my life better and those around me. Over the past 10 years I went to adult confirmation (something I didn't do as a young adult) and have tried to do as much for myself religious feelings as well as helping others at my church.

Everyone has been touched by this tragedy in one way or the other. I believe it is our Pearl Harbor, our Kennedy Assassination. We will always remember where we were that day and how it touched our lives.

Today's television remembrances have left me with a Kleenex in hand and feeling for all those families who may have finally got a little closer. I was surprised to hear that 40% of those lost in 9/11 they never found any tokens or remains of them. Not that a name on a memorial will give them complete closure but at least there is a beautiful place with there name in bronze that can bring them a little closer to a form of peace. Sacred ground it is. May the lone surviving tree that has grown 30 inches since 9/11 reach a branch to the heavens above and touch each soul lost that day.

That days affect on the world will never be forgotten. Amen..

One Voice, Dressed in Purple-Alzheimer's Walk 2011

This Saturday was my fifth walk. Hard to believe. Each year it gets more and more important. My friend, Linda Fisher who has become the voice of Alzheimer's not only here in Sedalia but also I am sure if you mention her name anywhere in mid-Missouri or Washington D.C. they not only know her as an author of Alzheimer's stories but also as an advocate of getting Alzheimer's more and more in the spotlight and she has!

What used to have the tag of old-age, senile is now dementia/Alzheimer's. It was given a name. It is the #6 disease and quickly climbing to #1. Although it does not know color, it actually is more common in Hispanic and Afro-Americans. I believe it could out number cancer if more research and money contributed to finding a possible cure. If you don't have someone in your family who has it you know someone with early stages or full on Alzheimer's. Like cancer it's not just the individual who has it the family has it. Linda has an ongoing blog www.earlyonset.blogspot.com where she puts together everyday stories with memories of a time when her husband Jim was fading further and further away. He continues to give her strength today. Each year at the release of purple balloons in memory I look over at Linda and whether she is standing along or with other's the tears that flow are her connection to Jim and other's she has forged friendships or memories with.

Most recently in the news has been singer, Glenn Campbell and Tennessee Women's Basketball coach, Pat Summitt was recently in the news announcing her early onset. Ronald Reagan, Charlton Heston, Perry Como, Rita Hayworth, Peter Falk are just some of the famous who have succumbed in years past.

In Sedalia there were 354 walkers and Sedalia raised $22,860. Linda was there at the first walk. And I am sure she will walk until she can't. As I've heard her say many times. She will go to Washington D.C. every year even if her grand kids have to wheel her there. That's dedication!

Each year I see new people at the walk. Some with signs with pictures of there loved ones who have succumed to this unforgiving illness.

One Voice leads to another to another. When a choir of millions is heard it just might be possible people will say Alzheimer's? What is that..wouldn't that be wonderful.

A Labor Day of Love

I have always enjoyed working in the yard as long as I can remember. My grandpa introduced me to gardening when I was very young. It can be very relaxing and the accomplishments obtained from it can also be quiet rewarding. Today with a hint of fall in the air was a perfect day to hit the dirt and weed and prepare the yard for the seasons to come.

Growing up in the west we had a vast aray of plants at our fingertips. My grandpa had many fruit trees, a vegetable garden and many flowers in the front of his yard. I can't think of a carnation without thinking of him and also bird of paradise makes me think of my childhood. There wasn't a time of year that you wouldn't find him puttering in the yard.

My father also had a green thumb. He was very maticulous about his yard. He had every yard tool imaginable and many weekends he would be cutting and trimming. Sometimes I felt like we lived in a jungle-like atmosphere at home because many of the plants we had were large and leafy. We also had many varieties of rose bushes, ferns and ivy plants.

One of my most favorite places is Hawaii. I haven't seen a flower there that I don't love. The fragrances are just wonderful and the colors so vibrant. One of my favorites is the plumeria. In deep pinks, oranges and varigated colors they are simple yet beautiful. Three years ago while channel surfing I stopped on QVC because the segment was on plumeria plants you could purchase and plant. You received two stocks and were not told what colors you would receive, that was just one of the surprises when your plant did bloom in three to four years from planting. Each year I go up one pot size as instructed. Each year around early fall when the temperatures reach under 55 degrees I bring the plants inside for the winter season.

This being the third yard I repeated the process in hopes that my plants would bloom. I guess all my hard work and care paid off this year. How I could get so excited for a blooming plant sounds strange I am sure but just being able to know I had a little bit of Hawaii there with me this year was happiness that was unamazinable.

My front yard has only a few potted plants each season and several hedge plants. When you have dogs who like to navigate through the yard you have to work around them when putting in plants both that are safe and easier to maintain.

With fall just around the corner the weather will turn to leaf pick up and preparing for winter. I will sit back and look at my dorminate plumerias that in hope that next year will be another wonderful blossoming year.

Road Trip-Missouri Style

I am always up for new adventures. Sometimes as we mature in life adventures are few and far between, but I guess they are really whatever you make them into.

Recently I started another venture into the world of direct sales. A new hat I wear is Dove Discoveries Chocolatier. It's my second hat to wear in the direct sales world. For seven years I have struggled to sell Beauticontrol products (I still do that but with the economy makeup and spa products are a luxury) so when I was approached to do this I jumped at a new adventure. I debated on whether to travel outside my general area but when an acquaintance asked if I would drive 150+ miles one way to do a party for her I said I would.

So I put my road trip hat on and ventured south. I wasn't a virgin when it comes to packing up the car and going on a road trip. As a kid it wasn't strange for my Dad to decide we were going to drive down the Pacific Coast Hwy and find a place to stop for ice cream, get gas and then turn around and go home. The sites were indescribable sometimes but thank goodness I wasn't prone to car sickness.

This past Saturday, I packed my wares and started out. One major difference is no major freeway, mostly two lane highways to my destination,although they are widening to four lanes part of the way.

I passed towns with funny names like Rescue, Albatross and Plew which the last one looked like a word jumble that you thought wasn't even a real word.

Animals of every kind were not foreign; cows, and more cows, Texas Longhorns, llamas, emu and a camel of all things. I had to do a double take for that one. I was surprised and saddened how since the recent road improvements how some of the tiniest towns are more like ghost towns. Although the roads improved it didn't improve the populations or services if anything it probably made it worse.

As I got closer to my final destination I traveled the old "Route 66" and thought how wonderful it must have been back in the day to pass what now was just a memory. Old abandoned motor stops, run by families, old gasoline stations with old pumps, progress didn't up lift these home style amenities.

Of course this trip didn't come without getting a little misplaced. The google map was wrong, (NO GPS for me yet) so I basically crossed my fingers and stood at a crossroads much like Tom Hanks in the movie Castaway in the end, and had hope that I would be able to have enough signal on my phone to reach my party destination.

I mentioned on my Facebook that day if I did get lost at least I had chocolate to eat. Thankfully I didn't have to resort to eating my profits.

This city girl adapted as best she could to the real country. It was a Missouri Road Trip--what more could I have expected.

Once Upon a Time......Long, Long Ago....

This is the story of a shy, young girl. She worked eight hour days, five days a week. Went to college part-time three days a week and some Saturdays. She took time out for her hobby but this was the life of someone almost 21 years old. Sounds a little boring but she had just ventured out on her own and moved away from home into an apartment with a friend. Five months into this new and exciting life her office was moving to a new facility and she was asked to work extra days to help the move go smoothly over a weekend in November.

The moving company did a walk-through on Friday and she was introduced to a foreman who would be handling the move. Blonde hair, blue eyes with that little hint of devil in him and of course well-built in her eyes. This guy worked a fast pace. Directing the guys what to get and where to put it. Little did the young girl realize her life would be changed forever.

No this isn't a fairy tale, wait no maybe it is. But this is the beginning of my love story almost 29 years ago. David and I worked side by side that weekend and we haven't left each other's side since. It is hard to believe that tomorrow we will be married 27 years. Two children, 1 1/2 grandchildren later. Our lives have been filled with happy and sad stories, peaks and valleys, laughter and tears, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Although we don't get to spend our day together like I had wanted we did get to go out earlier in the week and have our date night. Sometimes we are like two ships that are passing in the night but, 29 years ago our ships bumped into each other head-on like the Titanic to the iceberg and I thank God for him everyday.

You really can't look for love, it hits you when you least expect it. The picture is on our honeymoon in my most favorite place Hawaii. I think one of the reasons it holds a special place in my heart. We were young, pounds lighter and not a care in the world and had no idea what was ahead of us. Little did we think that we would continue with the story this many years later.

Happy 27th Anniversary, may we have 27 more together.