The Median Sib

Thirteen Things About Carol

I figured I’d go back to the original Thursday Thirteen topic.

1. I like to be organized although I don’t always manage it.

2. I adore my two granddaughters.

3. I’m sorry that summer vacation goes by so quickly.

4. I’m looking forward to going to Destin next week but I’m nervous about wearing a swimsuit.

5. I can’t stop looking at my engagement ring. It’s so gorgeous.

6. A wild turkey flew across the road right in front of me this afternoon. I almost hit it - but didn’t.

7. When I asked my son and daughter to help me for awhile on Saturday - they both, along with their spouses and the two granddaughters came over immediately and helped me.

8. I hate going to the dentist but a couple weeks ago I asked for nitrous oxide, and it really did make a difference. I will now ask for it every time I go so I won’t cancel any more appointments.

9. With all the work involved in moving, I haven’t been to Curves in almost two weeks (3 days of that time is when they were closed the Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of the 4th of July week)! I will start going back tomorrow.

10. I love pretty and feminine clothes - especially pastels like pink and green and blue.

11. I talk to my daughter on the phone every single day. I talk to my son on the phone about twice a week. I think it would annoy my son if I called him every day.

12. I love photography and want to continue to work on taking better pictures.

13. I love writing, too. I had some short pieces published years ago. I want to get back into writing for publication.

I’ve moved in with PawPaw, and I am in the midst of trying to organize a house that a man has lived in alone for six years.  I had to totally empty the pantry that was filled with everything from Christmas wrapping paper, an ice cream freezer, tools, insect spray, a gift box of Hickory Farms cheese/sausage (unopened with an expiration date two years old), paper cups to a bicycle helmet box (empty).  Then I took the canned and boxed food that filled the cabinets where dishes should go and put them in the pantry.  Now I can put dishes in the cabinets. 

When I put my clothes in the closet, the whole shelf assembly fell - totally ruined.  Luckily, I jumped back and it didn’t fall on my head.  It was not made to hold very much.  So I went to WalMart and bought a closet organization kit, and I’ll put that together and install it later tonight - I hope.  My one goal is that by the time PawPaw gets home tomorrow night from his business trip, I’ll have the house at least visibly clean and organized.  Right now all the boxes from my house are stacked on the tables and beds. 

Today is PawPaw’s 59th birthday.  He was 21 when we married in 1969.  My how time flies.  I have no way to post photos of PawPaw since my computere isn’t set up, and he probably wouldn’t like that anyway.  So I’ll have to settle for a no-photograph tribute.

In 1967 I was sitting at the college grill with some friends.  PawPaw walked up to the table and started talking - mostly to me.  We hit it off immediately, and he soon asked me out.  On that Valentine’s Day, I woke up and hiked down the dormitory hall to the bathroom.  When I returned there was a big heart-shaped box of chocolates on my pillow and a lovely valentine.  He’d gotten one of my friends to place them there as soon as she heard me leave my room.  PawPaw has always been really good at surprises and picking out gifts.  I remember being overwhelmed with joy at such a sweet expression of caring.

He’s a strong man.  Our son tells him he has “old man strength.”  Our son is a tall and strong man himself, and yet he still is amazed at how strong PawPaw is.  I don’t think there is any physical task he won’t at least attempt.  Last year we were looking at some land and had to cross a small creek.  He had on waterproof boots.  I didn’t.  He just picked me up and carried me across - and I’m definitely NOT a waif.  He’s a successful businessman, and yet he still drives a bulldozer to build the road to our new house.  A couple weeks ago he was clearing some trees for an electricity cable and a tree he’d cut started falling toward a fence.  He literally held the tree up by himself until I could move the truck and get a chain around the trees and pull the tree in the other direction.  Incredible!  His hands are large and strong.  Since my hands are small, it’s nice to have his hands available for opening jars, too.

However, PawPaw’s strength isn’t just physical. He’s the rock of our family.  Family and church are important to him, and I know he’ll be there if I need him.  He has incredible determination - starting his own business after years in the corporate world.  Our daughter is a vice president in his company, and our son’s business is a subsidiary of his company.

I call him PawPaw here at TMS because that’s what our two granddaughters call him.  There is nothing sweeter than hearing their little voices saying “PawPaw.”  He is an outstanding father and grandfather.  And he has the funniest sense of humor.  We do a lot of laughing when we’re together.

One of the things I love about PawPaw is his consistency.  Whenever he has to travel on business - from the day we married, I could always count on his calling me every single day - sometimes more than just once.   

I’m glad we’re back together, and I’m looking forward to being married to him again.  Happy Birthday, PawPaw!

My nephew, Josh, is a birthday buddy with PawPaw.  Josh turns 26 (I think) today.  He’s a soldier, waiting to be deployed to Iraq.  His mom has a tribute to him on her blog and a photo that brought tears to my eyes.