How do you do it?

This is the question often asked of workers in a dry cleaners during the hot days of summer. I have been filling in for the fitter this week at http://drycleaningstationcolumbus.com. I hoped and prayed the heat would die down for my week in said cleaners, but no, it did not. I would like to see a thermometer placed inside the cleaners out of curiosity to see what the temperature climbs to be. They secretly do not want the workers knowing how hot it actually is inside. You try your best to wear the proper clothing in order to stay cool, such as absorbent cotton, shorts, and breathable shoes but it only helps for a short while. Fans do not help, they only seem to make matters worse on the 90 + days with blowing the heat around.

This is not comforting and only seems to make the heat feel even hotter than it is. I wondered if it would help to place an ice block in front of the fan like in the days before air conditioning. Kill two birds with one stone, as the ice melts you have refreshments to keep hydrated. This is the key most of all to keep from getting to overheated. The end of the work day could not come fast enough. I found as time went on the heat continued to linger, my brain could not keep up and retain information for doing the job. ( I just had the location on the rack of your order, now, Poof it left my brain.) Like an overheated engine it breaks down and cracks the coolant system. There is talk of me running a shop out of this cleaners, a full service shop. Before this could even be possible the cleaners would and must consider revamping. Rooms separate from the cleaning side of the business with air conditioning would be necessary in order to preserve the quality of work by keeping smudges from appearing on garments from sweaty hands. This would also improve the alterations business and generate more by giving a pleasant changing environment with cool fitting rooms, instead of the one closed up hot box they now have. I fitted a pregnant lady the past week who by the time the fitting was over she had retained fluid and could not get out of her dress. Too tight zipper would not budge. It was horrible and I felt so sorry for such miserable conditions. It was her choice of course to grin and bear it to have the best in alterations take care of her garment. So two more days in the hot box for me, then my business will be back to normal with a short temporary non-comfort during my pickup time. In the meantime let the talks begin, for operation of my own business in your business and we will see if we can make me and the clients comfortable in the future.

I hope I survive and don’t break down from the heat of the dog days of Summer.

Rejoiceing and Reflection

It is official, a wedding will take place in San Diego, California on October 9th, 2010. My second born who I often refer to as Cali Girl has been engaged for nearly 2 years. It is being planned very quickly. No she is not pregnant. Although this would be a nice reason for her to be getting married, it is not. The plan was to have the wedding when Soldier Son returned home for leave. So the excitement began as well as the planning. Looking for a venue, caterer, dj, the whole nine yards. Soldier Son is allotted 2 weeks and what I new to be true and feared, happened. Sad to say he will not be joining us in California for the event. This is not unusual, for it has been difficult for many years to get Soldier Son to join in on Family events. He is a typical male in the worst way. Overly Self Absorbed and self centered. If it isn't something he wants to do, he is not going to do it no matter what. Heartless? No, not really, this is just who he became. I know one day he will come around and grow to cherish each moment he has with his Family, want and desire to be a part of it all. For now, Soldier Son is a 20 year old with the agenda of a 16 year old. Se La Vie. The wedding will go on without him. We are sad about this and Soldier Son will take the trip via like any other Family event a family member can not attend.

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 If Cali Girl agrees we will don our mask,(a more recent picture) and toast to his bravery for fighting for this country and standing behind his personal feelings of what he will or will not take part in. This is courageous to toss aside caring whether or not you may hurt someone feelings. I do wonder though, if he remembers one small fact. Cali Girl is military as well. She may not be active like Soldier Son, but reservist do protect and die for this country all the same. They both joined and signed contracts to serve this Nation of ours on the same day, has he forgotten this I ask? Even if he has, we will continue to love and respect how he feels and hope that one day The Family will become number one on his Agenda of  Events to attend. 

Proud to have two children in the Army. One off fighting and one about to say I Do.

Simplistic Beauty

On July 13 which happened to be Teacher Daughters birthday I received a call from her, after she had viewed her birthday song video I sent via phone video. I just love all this new technology. Her call was a Thank You for the song and an invite to visit the Franklin Conservatory with her and her boyfriend that day. What a treat for me it wasn’t even my day but hers and she wanted to share this with me. Our Family has lived in Ohio for 16 years and this is a place I have often talked about visiting with the Man. It isn’t his sort of thing so I could never hook him into going. The theme at the conservatory is based on carnivorous plants filled with acrylic and glass installations by Chihuly, another medium I have wanted to view. Camera in hand off to the Conservatory we headed. So exciting. Upon entering we were beheld with glass beauty.It appears as if  foreign objects are growing right out of the wall. On with the tour of many rooms, inside and out. The rain did not keep us indoors, we viewed it all. From the giant Venus Fly Trap to the cacti room which held  alien looking plants. I was so happy to have brought along my camera, all the beauty of simple plants were beginning to inspire me to put brush to canvas, along with the Chihuly glass installation. Some of the plants, I have seen for purchase in our garden centers as household plants. Wow, I thought, I should buy of few to grow for myself. I was so enthralled I took shots close up in order to capture the smallest details and have a composition ready for canvas for when that time arose. Like the beauty in this Hibiscus, or the  leather looking leaf I shot from up close.

I would have to say my favorite of all would have to be the glass installation of giant glass balls placed in water. The way I captured the shot it appears as if the balls are actually floating down a river.

What a great day I had sharing this with my Art Teacher Daughter on her birthday. Inspired to be creative. Hopefully, soon we will join hands, get the acrylic paints and canvas out and have a day of Art.

Thank You Teacher Daughter.

Damaged Goods

A new addition to my Family arrived the first week of May. A Mother’s Day gift. It is the sweetest little dog. Part Pomeranian and who knows what else. She is oh so pretty, but she is a little damaged. I asked the previous owners what they could tell me about her habits, the only thing they offered was, “you better watch your plate of food because she will snatch it, and she is a picky eater.” No problems with the food issue. When we are eating she lays down out of the way and waits for an “okay I am finished.” Why I ask you did you not tell me about her tremendous fears of the broom, vacuum cleaners, anything you push. Or what about her fear of sudden movement or even loud noises. She runs like a scared rabbit. Yesterday as I was cleaning and it was very hot outside that is where she chose to stay. I felt so bad and didn’t understand why she didn’t find a secure place to go inside. In time she may. What really tops all this is her tremendous fear of a storm. Had a doozey of a storm last night and this morning, I awoke to her shaking like a leaf. She will not do her business in the rain, even if it is only a drizzle. I stood for quite awhile in the rain in the yard coaxing her to go. Nope she did not. Every carpeted room is closed up so she can not do her business in the house, the only method I know, keep her close and in my sight. She held tight for over three hours till I was able to take her on a walk. #2 twice and alot of #1 part scenting and the other for relief. My only hope is with all the love I have to offer this sweetie she will in time feel secure and pick up new habits. For now I will need rain gear.  What would the neighbors think of this?

Progression

A beautiful bouquet of flowers were presented to me on June 29 by my lovely Husband in tribute of our anniversary. The flowers were wrapped up oh so nicely just waiting to be placed in a vase suiting their beauty. From up high I retrieved a crystal vase sorted and separated the flowers to look for the balance I could achieve with the assorted variety. Some were at full bloom others waiting to blossom. The filler of an arrangement is key to filling in the gaps, such might be family members to making us whole or friends we enjoy seeing on occasion.The varieties alone could stand on their own, but together made a flower such as a snapdragon seem all the more beautiful with its many blooms on one stem. Pop, together beauty. As the week progressed I was mindful of keeping them alive with refreshing the water. The Lilies had such a pleasant scent the first two days,like good company that came for a short visit, on the fourth day the scent became different somewhat pungent. Not yet ready to be tossed out for they were still blooming they would need to be placed somewhere else. I tore the bouquet apart to trim the stems, rewater and placed all lilies in a separate vase, banning them to the outdoors. An arrangement created for the company we would have that day.Therefore breaking down those remaining,one variety gone, the way a family member moves on with their own life by making one of their own. Remaining group, still lovely. One outshines the others yet holding the group together. How long will these stay in tack and continue to bring joy? A few days go by, movement sends petals crashing on occasion some are nearing the end. It has been too long to be on their own without natural nutrients. Who will remain the longest? Another tear down for a few more days of beauty. The strongest of the bunch move to a smaller home for it houses just a few, who can match its’ strength?My husband matches my strengths. We are on different roads at times and have fewer things in common. As our lives progress we will remain side by side until we wither away, or lack of sustenance does one of us in to where we no longer can continue on living this life. There are days and nights I feel oh so droopy and put aside, lacking in conversation, sharing, and feeling separated from the group. Alone and sad.I will choose to think of the mighty Gerber daisy that survives the long hall and drinks up and soaks in life around it for I am not ready to wither away. My talents keep me entertained and movies take me into the fantasies I desire to be living, for now that will have to do. Time passes and life will regroup itself once again. Bringing adventures to behold and conversations to share.   

Celebration

The Good Hostess,
The Fourth of July Celebration was underway. Once the few who RSVP finally arrived a few hours late, the celebrating could begin. If you are Family and for reasons beyond your control you are unable to attend you will be present in one form or another. The festivities were arranged oh so nice and inviting, at least I thought. Tablets for writing a letter to our Soldier and a box for care package contribution. Although no-one contributed to the latter not knowing what to bring Mom had a few items ready to be sent, only one important item left Smokes, Please says the Soldier Son. Marlboro Smoothes, it is coming right up then this package can be shipped.  Everyone took a tablet and pen, stickers were available to build a story around in case you couldn’t think of what to write. Off to the deck we went to write our letters. A good drink helps you focus with clarity. Received letters from all Family members on this day of Independence, Soldier Son will be so happy to receive them. Now the real fun, it was such a hot day in the upper 80s sitting outside was a little grueling but the grandbabies stayed cool in their new pool. I think the dog wanted to take a dip as well. The last guest arrives and to my surprise it is getting oh so late.Which didn’t take long for the party started late. Time for the cooking to begin. It didn’t matter how prepared I seemed, there were fixings still to put together. As everyone enjoyed each other I was being the good hostess. When will I learn and how do I settle for the fun I seem to be left out of  because I am the Hostess. In the end the eats were nothing short of delicious!!

Menu: marinade top roast cooked grill side, homemade Mac and Cheese, Baked Beans, My Mothers egg, tomato, lettuce salad with miracle whip dressing. Focaccia bread, Cole slaw brought by the guest. Chocolate cake with chocolate ganache for dessert. Corn on the cob, last minute cooked in microwave.

When dinner was over I had help cleaning up. The Man and teacher Daughter took care of this task for me. Very Nice of them to help. I for one reason or another never quite got in the groove of the rest of the evening. I found it hard to break into the already established conversations, being removed from them because of my Hostess duties. I was left wanting. I am sure it was all me and can only place the blame there. I hope I was The Good Hostess, and my guest and Family had fun, for I now want to be the guest so I can enjoy the festivities as well, doing nothing but enjoying the event at hand. I do Thank all of You for humoring me and coming to this event.

I THANK YOU, and hopefully Soldier Son THANKS YOU  for your letter.