As I connect with more and more of the friends I had in Mexico, and who are still there, I find that I can't wait to get back. I know that things have changed (and not always for the better), but oh, how I miss being in Mexico!
I'm going to try to scan photos that I took during my, almost, 4 year stay there over this weekend. I may not be able to post them all at once, but they will all get there eventually.
Mexico and Arizona are the only places that I have ever felt 'connected' to and Arizona comes in as 2nd. I have enjoyed my time here (with many ups and downs) but it is now time to leave and live la vida bueno in the land of (almost) perpetual sunshine, tranquility and some of the most incredible people that I have ever come across in my lifetime.
In the meantime, I have told the cleaning crew at work that "Necessito a practicar mi Espanol, con ellos por favor" and they have responded "No problema." I am blessed and they are patient and kind as I stumble through the basics.
Felicidades fin de semana, mi amigos. Hasta luego.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Part Two
I digress a little bit...
Bill's next tour of duty after Illinois was Oklahoma. We lived off base in a rented, furnished, 2 bedroom house in Dill City, OK. We paid $50 a month rent. I don't think the house was more than 700 sq ft and every time we wanted to change the channel on the TV, Bill would have to go out and turn the antenna until I shouted out for him that the picture was good and he could stop!
We got our mail at the post office as the town was way too small to hire a delivery person. It was a very old post office with those old metal mail boxes with combination locks. The whole town consisted of a hardware store/gas station, grocery store (very small), bank, a closed movie theater and the aforementioned post office. We heard a story once of when the bank was robbed one time. The robbers called the president of the bank, and when he answered with "What do you want? I'm in bed sleeping!", they knew it was safe to rob the bank! The president of the bank was married to the post mistress.
We had a billy goat that was fenced in, in our back yard that belonged to our landlords. They lived two houses away. There was either a peach or pear tree in the goat's pen (can't remember which). Well, that goat was the meanest goat I have ever come across! Not that I've had that many encounters with goats, mind you. Bill tried several times to grab some fruit off that tree and got nailed by that him several times without getting any of the fruit!
Anyway, it was while we were there that Bill volunteered to go to Vietnam. We drove back to NY where it was decided that I would live with my mother while Bill was gone. It was going to be a very long year.
Bill went off to Vietnam and I went back into the workforce. I was surrounded by a lot of single friends who started to ask me to join them on weekends and I started to accept their invites. Drives into Manhattan to go 'clubbing', dancing all night until the clubs closed. Just having a lot of fun. I think that at that point that I knew that I didn't want to be married anymore. It was just too much fun being single.
We had, after all, gotten married way too young and both of us came from families that did not present good, happy, roll models.
Bill came back from Vietnam and his next tour of duty was in Abilene, TX. We found another house to rent there. I remember our next door neighbors introducing themselves, along with their little boy, Chance. She explained his name by saying "That's what we took and he's what we got!" Then there was the day before the postage rates were going up and she asked me if I wanted to go to the post office to buy up some stamps before the price went up! Thanksgiving came and our neighbors asked if we wanted to come over to watch her mother kill the turkey... Needless to say, I declined. I seem to recall that Bill went.
I had had enough and missed all the fun that I had back in NY. I announced to Bill that I was leaving, packed up all my things and drove home. The divorce was final a few months later and we went on our separate ways.
It was 6 years later that I decided to get married again (1972). 21 years after that, I was once again divorced.
Fast forward almost 38 years. Bill was working in California and while at work decided to log onto Classmates.com where he saw my profile. He emailed me: "Can exes still be friends?" It was my day off from my job and I immediately answered his email. I took me 3 years before I agreed to marry him again.
Bill's next tour of duty after Illinois was Oklahoma. We lived off base in a rented, furnished, 2 bedroom house in Dill City, OK. We paid $50 a month rent. I don't think the house was more than 700 sq ft and every time we wanted to change the channel on the TV, Bill would have to go out and turn the antenna until I shouted out for him that the picture was good and he could stop!
We got our mail at the post office as the town was way too small to hire a delivery person. It was a very old post office with those old metal mail boxes with combination locks. The whole town consisted of a hardware store/gas station, grocery store (very small), bank, a closed movie theater and the aforementioned post office. We heard a story once of when the bank was robbed one time. The robbers called the president of the bank, and when he answered with "What do you want? I'm in bed sleeping!", they knew it was safe to rob the bank! The president of the bank was married to the post mistress.
We had a billy goat that was fenced in, in our back yard that belonged to our landlords. They lived two houses away. There was either a peach or pear tree in the goat's pen (can't remember which). Well, that goat was the meanest goat I have ever come across! Not that I've had that many encounters with goats, mind you. Bill tried several times to grab some fruit off that tree and got nailed by that him several times without getting any of the fruit!
Anyway, it was while we were there that Bill volunteered to go to Vietnam. We drove back to NY where it was decided that I would live with my mother while Bill was gone. It was going to be a very long year.
Bill went off to Vietnam and I went back into the workforce. I was surrounded by a lot of single friends who started to ask me to join them on weekends and I started to accept their invites. Drives into Manhattan to go 'clubbing', dancing all night until the clubs closed. Just having a lot of fun. I think that at that point that I knew that I didn't want to be married anymore. It was just too much fun being single.
We had, after all, gotten married way too young and both of us came from families that did not present good, happy, roll models.
Bill came back from Vietnam and his next tour of duty was in Abilene, TX. We found another house to rent there. I remember our next door neighbors introducing themselves, along with their little boy, Chance. She explained his name by saying "That's what we took and he's what we got!" Then there was the day before the postage rates were going up and she asked me if I wanted to go to the post office to buy up some stamps before the price went up! Thanksgiving came and our neighbors asked if we wanted to come over to watch her mother kill the turkey... Needless to say, I declined. I seem to recall that Bill went.
I had had enough and missed all the fun that I had back in NY. I announced to Bill that I was leaving, packed up all my things and drove home. The divorce was final a few months later and we went on our separate ways.
It was 6 years later that I decided to get married again (1972). 21 years after that, I was once again divorced.
Fast forward almost 38 years. Bill was working in California and while at work decided to log onto Classmates.com where he saw my profile. He emailed me: "Can exes still be friends?" It was my day off from my job and I immediately answered his email. I took me 3 years before I agreed to marry him again.
 | |
| May 3, 2008 |
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Bill and I
A little bit about my current husband and I.
We were born in the same hospital in Tarrytown, NY. He, two months after me. We attended the same high school, although he only came there in his junior year. We didn't really know each other while in school. Our SS #s are only digits apart since we both started working the same year (back then you only got your SS card when you wanted to work).
Bill was considered one of the best looking guys in school and had his pick of all the girls. We didn't actually meet until we both attended a graduation party in the summer of 1964. He must have liked what he saw. When I went to start my car when my best friend and I were ready to leave, my car wouldn't start - he had flooded the engine to prevent me from leaving! Once my car would start, my girlfriend and I were out of there. I had the attitude of "You didn't want to have anything to do with me while we were in school, what makes you think I want anything to do with you now?"
The next time I saw Bill, I was standing at the sidewalk of the village that I lived in, talking with a male friend. I had just left the 'drugstore' (that's what we called it back then), after making a cigarette run for everyone that was playing cards at my friend's house. I saw Bill driving down the road and he had seen me, making sure that I saw that he was going to want to talk to me. I quickly said to the guy I was talking to, who also happened to be a former boyfriend, "Quick, put your arm around me a pull me close so this guy will think we're together!" After exchanging some pleasantries, I excused myself to go back to my friend's house and the card game that was waiting.
Little did I know that he followed me and when I pulled up in front of my friend's house, he quickly pulled his car up next to mine on the driver's side, not leaving me enough room to get out of the car. To this day, I don't know why I just didn't slide over and exit on the passenger side. After all, there were no bucket seats in my '55 Ford!
At any rate, he told me that he wouldn't let me out until I agreed to go out with him. I gave in and reluctantly agreed. I think we went to the drive in that next Saturday night. We continued seeing each other and got engaged that November. Both of us only 18 years old.
We had our ups and downs during the engagement, even breaking it off briefly before getting back together again.
It was the age of Vietnam. Bill enlisted in the Air Force and went off for training. His first tour of duty was in Illinois. My mother and I flew there, along with his mother and sister and were married in November of 1965. Broke, young, and in love, Bill's mates provided a reception for us and we embarked on married life. Then Bill went to Vietnam.
To Be Continued...
We were born in the same hospital in Tarrytown, NY. He, two months after me. We attended the same high school, although he only came there in his junior year. We didn't really know each other while in school. Our SS #s are only digits apart since we both started working the same year (back then you only got your SS card when you wanted to work).
Bill was considered one of the best looking guys in school and had his pick of all the girls. We didn't actually meet until we both attended a graduation party in the summer of 1964. He must have liked what he saw. When I went to start my car when my best friend and I were ready to leave, my car wouldn't start - he had flooded the engine to prevent me from leaving! Once my car would start, my girlfriend and I were out of there. I had the attitude of "You didn't want to have anything to do with me while we were in school, what makes you think I want anything to do with you now?"
The next time I saw Bill, I was standing at the sidewalk of the village that I lived in, talking with a male friend. I had just left the 'drugstore' (that's what we called it back then), after making a cigarette run for everyone that was playing cards at my friend's house. I saw Bill driving down the road and he had seen me, making sure that I saw that he was going to want to talk to me. I quickly said to the guy I was talking to, who also happened to be a former boyfriend, "Quick, put your arm around me a pull me close so this guy will think we're together!" After exchanging some pleasantries, I excused myself to go back to my friend's house and the card game that was waiting.
Little did I know that he followed me and when I pulled up in front of my friend's house, he quickly pulled his car up next to mine on the driver's side, not leaving me enough room to get out of the car. To this day, I don't know why I just didn't slide over and exit on the passenger side. After all, there were no bucket seats in my '55 Ford!
At any rate, he told me that he wouldn't let me out until I agreed to go out with him. I gave in and reluctantly agreed. I think we went to the drive in that next Saturday night. We continued seeing each other and got engaged that November. Both of us only 18 years old.
We had our ups and downs during the engagement, even breaking it off briefly before getting back together again.
It was the age of Vietnam. Bill enlisted in the Air Force and went off for training. His first tour of duty was in Illinois. My mother and I flew there, along with his mother and sister and were married in November of 1965. Broke, young, and in love, Bill's mates provided a reception for us and we embarked on married life. Then Bill went to Vietnam.
To Be Continued...
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Traditions
We have no traditions in this 'new' family. We have only been married for just under 4 years. Hard to make traditions when it is that young. What about all those 'old' traditions.
They are simply that... Old and with someone else. We live in a very busy world these days and it is difficult to make new traditions. It makes me sad. Holidays are supposed to be all about traditions. I am not in the 'holiday' mood. I bake, as usual, but that is the extent of it. Even the decorations haven't been put up. What is so different about this year?
I would like to think that it is because I am not feeling well. Bronchitis. This too shall pass. One can only hope that the malaise will as well.
I wish you all joy this holiday season. Enjoy your families and the 'reason for the season'. I look forward to July 31st, 2012 when I am officially retired and, hopefully, enjoying the remainder of my life. It's got to be better than this.
They are simply that... Old and with someone else. We live in a very busy world these days and it is difficult to make new traditions. It makes me sad. Holidays are supposed to be all about traditions. I am not in the 'holiday' mood. I bake, as usual, but that is the extent of it. Even the decorations haven't been put up. What is so different about this year?
I would like to think that it is because I am not feeling well. Bronchitis. This too shall pass. One can only hope that the malaise will as well.
I wish you all joy this holiday season. Enjoy your families and the 'reason for the season'. I look forward to July 31st, 2012 when I am officially retired and, hopefully, enjoying the remainder of my life. It's got to be better than this.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Holidays
It's that time of year again. The Holidays. The time of year that I regret not being around family. No turkey dinner for us on Thanksgiving as it's just not practical for just two people. A small prime rib, mashed potatoes and green bean casserole (just because the leftovers will get eaten).
Unfortunately, with just the two of us, it makes it seem like just another day.
No tree at Christmas. The cats would just climb all over it, knock all the decorations off of it and possibly tip it over... Bah humbug. I miss not having a family to share the holidays with. I do put decorations up all over the living areas of the house, but it just doesn't seem the same with just two people in the house.
I have found that it is harder to make lasting friendships as we get older. Everyone seems so young and our interests just don't mesh. I used to open my house at the holidays to those that were separated from their families and had nothing to do. Now it seems as if everyone has something to do and it doesn't include spending time with us old folks.
It may sound as if I am depressed. Please trust me when I say that I am not. I just miss having a family like the 'old days'. My mother was an excellent cook and baker. They always flocked to our house on holidays, knowing that they would get a great home cooked meal, complete with all the fixings! Grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins. And sometimes family friends. All were welcome.
I long for those days...
Unfortunately, with just the two of us, it makes it seem like just another day.
No tree at Christmas. The cats would just climb all over it, knock all the decorations off of it and possibly tip it over... Bah humbug. I miss not having a family to share the holidays with. I do put decorations up all over the living areas of the house, but it just doesn't seem the same with just two people in the house.
I have found that it is harder to make lasting friendships as we get older. Everyone seems so young and our interests just don't mesh. I used to open my house at the holidays to those that were separated from their families and had nothing to do. Now it seems as if everyone has something to do and it doesn't include spending time with us old folks.
It may sound as if I am depressed. Please trust me when I say that I am not. I just miss having a family like the 'old days'. My mother was an excellent cook and baker. They always flocked to our house on holidays, knowing that they would get a great home cooked meal, complete with all the fixings! Grandmas and grandpas, aunts, uncles and cousins. And sometimes family friends. All were welcome.
I long for those days...
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Huh?
My husband just accepted a full time job after months of unemployment. Should be a good thing - right? Think again. He is now questioning retiring next year. He thinks he may want to work for awhile before be 'head out' - are you fucking kidding me???
I'm done. Not going to work past 7/31/12. I want to enjoy what time I have left. I don't want to be a slave to work anymore. What's wrong with spending a little "ME" time? Do I want to spend that time here, in the U.S.A. - NO! that's a resounding NO! I want to go to somewhere that appreciates me, not be somewhere where I am considered a burden. Am I wrong to feel that way? I don't think so.
We may be locking horns here. I don't know, will have to keep you all posted. Hopefully most of you are in my corner...
I'm done. Not going to work past 7/31/12. I want to enjoy what time I have left. I don't want to be a slave to work anymore. What's wrong with spending a little "ME" time? Do I want to spend that time here, in the U.S.A. - NO! that's a resounding NO! I want to go to somewhere that appreciates me, not be somewhere where I am considered a burden. Am I wrong to feel that way? I don't think so.
We may be locking horns here. I don't know, will have to keep you all posted. Hopefully most of you are in my corner...
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