Random Musings of a Curious Mind

Just Can't Win!

It's amazing - or depressing - however you want to look at it.

Mark and I spent four years trying to undo the damage from the lifetime that his youngest boys spent with their mother. They each had overt and hidden problems from the abuse and neglect in their past. I think we helped Frankie; Michael - who knows.

But, since Michael left, at the end of May, I have to say that my health and my attitude have improved 1000%. I laugh more; cry less. Each day is a blessing, instead of a curse.

I don't know if that makes me a bad person or if it means that the situation was so toxic for me that I had to get out to save my life and my sanity. I know that I would have ever 'let' him leave, without finishing school and developing some skills to see him through his adult life.

In all honesty, I do miss him and worry desperately about him living with his mother. If I dwell on, what I believe to be, his prospects for the future - I become terrified for him. (When asked what he wanted to do with his life, his answers were always beyond the realm of possibility - basketball star, race car driver.)

So, even though we don't have in-your-face-every-day stress anymore, we have the upset of not knowing how he's doing or what abuse he might be suffering.

Just can't win!



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Zenni Optical

Currently, I don't have any pictures of myself in glasses, for one simple reason. The right lens is held in place with a bent paper clip and has one of Mark's old ear pieces taped to the side of the frame, while the original left ear piece (missing the coating at the bend behind the ear) is taped to the other side. Quite embarrassing!

I desperately need to replace my frames, preferably without spending a fortune and - most importantly - without buying new lenses. You see, frames don't have to be expensive; but my lenses (no-line bifocals compensating for an astigmatism in the left eye) have always been outrageously expensive.

Then, today I found zennioptical.com. The prices are amazing. And, from what I saw on the website, all I have to do is choose my frames and include my prescription. There is no indication that my 'script is going to add hundreds of dollars to the cost. I like that!

I have to say that this is the best deal I've ever seen and I intend to get my latest prescription, so that I can check out actual prices.

As much as I hate wearing glasses, I think I could be much happier at these prices. In fact, I could have several pair - with and without tinting.

Hmmmm? Maybe glasses aren't quite so bad, after all!





Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Cosmetic Dentistry

One of my favorite TV shows is "10 Years Younger" in which they do makeovers for people who look older than their real age. It's amazing the services that are available to these people - dermabrasion, vision correction, and cosmetic dentistry.

Seeing the pictures from my daughter's wedding, I realize that these are now my problems, too. I have 51-year-old skin with some serious sun damage, horribly poor vision, and very stained teeth. (I used my photo system to lighten my teeth after my stepson said "You look like you don't have a front tooth!") My dream is to have all of these problems corrected, some day.

Today I found a great site to that has answers to teeth issues like mine. Beverly Hills cosmetic dental not only does wonders, they offer painless solutions that are very important to me. I am terrified of dentists, but I have several broken teeth and a missing crown that cause me tremendous pain.

It's nice to know that there are professionals out there who care about doing the right thing, as painlessly as possible.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Never Miss An Important Occasion Again

You know that JMark Afghans offers a variety of original, hand-crocheted afghans, placemats, hats, scarves, and shawls. But, did you know that we offer a free reminder service?

That's right! You'll never have to worry about missing a birthday or anniversary again. And it couldn't be easier. Simply use our Reminder Form to list any occasion that you need to remember. Then, sit back and we'll take it from there. You'll receive regular reminders and, if you like, we'll even help with gift ideas.

We protect your privacy by coding the events on our calendar with your initials and zip code. Even JMark Afghans won't ask for any identifying information. No one, but you, will know these are your occasions.

Why miss another event? Let us help!



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Bad News / Good News

When I crashed the laptop, I managed to lose all of the pictures I'd taken at my daughter's wedding. Luckily, I'd sent my aunt a few pictures, so I was able to recover those photos.

      

      

Unfortunately, you can't tell from these pictures just how breath-taking the location was. Up in the foothills, at a country club with amazing views, it was just incredible.

Just as soon as I do some work with the pictures from my cellphone, I'll happily post more.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Travelling

Well, I made it home in one piece! It's amazing how, the closer we got to Phoenix, the slower the bus seemed to move. I guess I was exhausted and ready to be home.

I didn't sleep at all on the way out. Every stop, I was worried about missing a connection, so I filled myself with coffee and smoked very quickly, when I had a chance. (If you've ever wondered just how poorly smokers are viewed, try travelling by bus and see where the ashtrays are hidden.)

The wedding was beautiful; my daughter, absolutely gorgeous. (I'll share some pictures, just as soon as I get them off the camera and sorted out.) It was great to see family again, and make some new friends.

More news to follow. For now, I have unpacking and laundry awaiting.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Goin' to a Wedding!

My dress and shoes have arrived! And - joy of joys - my dress fits!

It's difficult to determine what size is right, when ordering online. Given the fact that I've put on weight and not gotten in shape, I was terrified to open that box! As a hedge, I ordered a 'slimmer' when I ordered the dress. I haven't tried them on together, yet.

Second joy of joys? The dress is actually long enough that I can wear the heels I ordered. (At almost 6 feet tall, most of it legs, I have a devil of a time finding something that covers my ankles!) Not to mention, the area above my waist is much smaller than the area below my waist. Can you say pear?

Keep an eye out - I'll be letting you know if the look actually worked.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Give Me Strength!

Did you ever have one of those days where you throw up your arms, turn your face to the sky/ceiling/heavens and cry Give Me Strength!? If not, I want your life! Otherwise, you know what I'm talking about.

You are faced with or being bombarded by situations that are just too much. It's not that they - individually - are that difficult. Not at all. The problem is, they've all been waiting in the wings, chatting amongst themselves, and biding their time until your guard was down. Then all of the insanity jumps out at you - at the same time.

Or maybe you've had a situation here and a situation there that has weakened your immunity to craziness. You aren't really poised over the sanity precipice, waiting to fall into the dementia abyss; you're just a little stressed. Suddenly, several crazy happenings appear out of nowhere, waving their arms, screaming wildly, and charging directly at you and you realize the only direction you can go is . . . over the edge.

Welcome to My Life! Not just today or this week, month, or year - but for nearly 5 years! I actually counted - in 61 days, my grip on sanity will have been attacked, sometimes from several directions at the same time, for 1,825 days.






Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Possible Identity Theft

I got an interesting letter in the mail this week. It seems that the company I worked for, back in 2003, got hacked recently. Still investigating the extent of the incursion, they wrote to warn me that my personal information may have been stolen.

If that were the extent of the letter, it probably would have been sufficient to alert me and I could have taken steps to monitor my credit records. But my former employer went far beyond a simple notification. They set up a free, one-year credit monitoring account for me - on their dime - that includes $25,000 identity theft insurance and a team of fraud resolution representatives, should there be a problem.

One of the reasons I really liked this company was the way they treated employees. It's nice to know that hasn't changed.






Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules