Jack of all....master of none

I've had many varied experiences in life. And it has qualified me to do exactly nothing.

I am experienced in quite a few things and can get along in so many areas....but I'm just not quite good enough to be a master at the things that I need to be.

And it all comes down to lack of a plan. At least that is what I attribute it to. I could be completely wrong. But I haven't had a plan for my life. So I've moved to different experiences as they have come my way.

Now don't get me wrong. I have enjoyed the many experiences that I've had. And I definitely wouldn't give them up for anything. But.....I do wish that I could have had a plan.

I guess it's not too late to start a plan. Many people start their life over at this age. Everyone keeps telling me that I'm young and have a whole life ahead of me. So maybe I'll draw up a plan.

fall

Since having moved to the south I really miss the fall colors. There's just something about the crisp air and the lovely leafs that turn to beautiful different hues. It's funny to me that people in the south think that 80 degrees has a nip to it and they say that it has such a nice chill to it.

Oh boy. So not what I remember about fall.

Fall to me means, school starting and the Illinois State Fair. I remember going to the fair and for the first time after summer having to wear a jacket during the night. I remember the colors of the rides and how I had to wait sooooooo long before I was big enough to ride the "cool" rides. My two older sisters got go with friends while I had to wait and go with Mom and Dad.

I remember Dad working with his side of the family on those engines. The ones that just did the bang bang bang. I never did really understand the point of them but Dad's family really liked them and Grandpa had quite a few of them that he showed at the fair.

I remember Mom figuring out things for us to make and enter in the fair. We would crochet, or sew or bake and try to make it good enough to enter in the fair. I didn't ever win anything. Although I seem to remember my oldest sister won some ribbons. And I think my other sister did to for some drawings, but I'm not sure about that.

Mom used to sing at a tent that the church set up. We would go with her to hear her sing. That was pretty cool. I don't remember going to any of the professional concerts that they would have. But usually the lines to the rides were shorter while the concerts were on so that was the best time to ride the rides.

Then there was the saltwater taffy. We would wait all year to get a couple of boxes of that. The cart was always over by the train office. You could ride the train all the way around the outside of the fair grounds. We usually rode that one time each year. But the taffy....oh that was fun. I don't think I've had any of that since at least the 80's....hmmmm....may need to tap into some IL contacts to get me some next year.

Then there was livestock. I really enjoyed going through that barns and seeing the horses, the cows and the pigs. For some reason I could live on a farm and enjoy it. Especially the horses....although I think they like to wake up early. :o)

Anyway, I enjoy fall. I love the crisp air, the smells, the sights and the sounds. I would love to experience the fall of my childhood one more time. Maybe I'll have to take a road trip this year and find a place that has the atmosphere of IL.

Blast from the past

ok....so I'm here to make a confession! And here is the story of how the last couple of events have unfolded.

Back in the day, I lived in Chicago. I met a young man that I completely and utterly fell for, I was madly in love! I don't think he ever realized the extent to which my emotions ran so in case he ever were to read this I'll keep his name out of it to protect his innocence! I remember the moment at which I knew my heart was gone. We had met at a party for another person, but he and I spent the night talking and getting to know each other. The next day I hung out with him and a couple of his friends. We were in his car and I was in the back seat, he was talking to me and looking at me in the rear view mirror. I remember looking at him in the mirror and just knowing that I had lost my heart. Boy, even to this day that brings back some strong feelings. But alas, we were not meant to be.

We kept in contact for a while. Even after I left Chicago we emailed every once in a while but I lost contact with him after I married and moved to TN. I have often wondered where he ended up and what he was doing. Which brings us to modern days.

A young man from Italy walked into the store. He is gorgeous! I mean he could have been a model a movie star or anything else where women would stare at him all day. He was very nice looking. It reminded me of the fellow that I had fallen for so completely in Chicago. So I went the Google and looked for him. (now- here is part of the confession part) I have done this before with no results. I haven't found him, nor a friend of his that I wanted to reconnect with either. But this time....payola.

Of course it was through the wonderful Facebook that I found him. He is married now with children...sigh.....I'm glad he's happy....sigh....but, now I have to tell you the funny part!

I asked to be his friend and I sent a cute little note. From the looks of his Facebook page he doesn't go on it much. So I was thinking it would be a week or two or even months before I heard from him....if at all. So I was not prepared for what happened next.

I was reading The Count of Monte Cristo on my phone....I love that book! This is about the sixth time I've read and I still remember new things every time. Anyway, I heard the notification that I had an email. So I switched over to see what it was and it was a return note from HIM!!!!!!! (confession time!) I ducked and tossed the phone aside!!!!!!!!!! I was expecting any response to be days or weeks away! Not hours!

When I think back to my reaction I had to laugh!!! Here it is over 10 years since I've seen him or talked to him and still I react like a little school girl. It's amazing what our minds and hearts hang on to. And amazing how they affect us years and years later.

I'm glad that I've reconnected with him. He looks happy in his pictures and he's got a nice family and he's done well for himself. So thanks Facebook for all you do....thanks!

lianagrace

It's all over now

Done deal. It's all over. I am a divorcee. Of course I have mixed feelings about this. There are many things that I truly miss about my ex and things that I will forever love him for. But I know that he never truly loved me and is incapable of that. Therefore I move on.





Now, there is much fear and trepidation in that moving on! whew....you should see what the dating world looks like out there!!!!!!!!!!!!! eeeeeekkkkk...... Seeing that it's been over 12 years since I've had to worry about a date I must say that it is scary out there.

I've heard that the place to meet people now is online. Well of course that just opens all kinds of questions for me as far as the safety and all that....but also how do you really get to know someone when they can hide behind a computer?





Anyway, I did decide to join a website for the fun of it and to get my toes wet. And I thought that I would be one of the emotional messed up ones! Ha! I might actually be more stable than most.....HOW IN THE WORLD DID THAT HAPPEN!?!?!?!?
I'm telling you....don't be in a hurry to get out there to the dating world young ladies. It's not pretty. And if you got yourself a man....hang on! There isn't anything out there.

Ok, well it's not really that bad. I'm sure there are some really great guys that got the same bum deal I did and one of them is just waiting for me. So I'll keep watering that little sprout of hope and keep nurturing it so that it will grow. And one day it will be ready.

Until then you'll get to read all about the lovely adventures called dating. I know you can't wait!

lianagrace

Hilton Head

It's been a really long time since I've had a true vacation. I've had a few day trips here and there, and trips across the country for business...but nothing since I went to Mexico.

So I was quite pleased when my wonderful sister asked me to accompany her family to Hilton Head for a week. I gladly went and enjoyed EVERY minute of it....well ok....there were a few moments when I had to sleep and didn't get to enjoy the sunshine that weren't as great as the rest of the time.

But I have to say that it was a very nice thing for my sister to ask me to come with her and I am very thankful for some long awaited R&R.

I have a fabulous tan and I am not looking forward to that fading! :o) But the memories will last forever!

My five-year old niece was a joy to be around and I had a great time with her as my roommate! She cracks me up...my sister has done a great job raising her and giving her the confidence that every young person needs to succeed in this life.