Vacation

We were in Vegas last week to see our son.  Unfortunately, hippie and I both had colds which mine only got worse.  I didn't do much gambling but then I didn't lose a lot of money either, ha.  In fact, I played with the same $100 from Monday until I cashed it in Friday (the day we left) and only lost $8.50.  I did press my luck and put $20 in before we left and lost that.

We did go out a couple of times to eat. 

They also opened a Mob Museum downtown which we went to.  It was great.  We could have used more time there but I would definitely recommend going there.  They give you a wrist band and you can come and go all day.  There were a lot of movie clips and interactive things to do. 

The weather was gorgeous, in the 80's the whole time.  We came back to 46 and raining. 

2 more weeks

and it will be over.  Living in Ohio, I'm getting phone calls every day for BOTH candidates for President.  I didn't think there could be any more political commercials but there are.  Also, the political junk mail,  email,  people coming to the door and the pollsters.  Yikes!!! 

I can't wait until election day is here. 

Mrs. Dunkin #25

This is a continuing story.  To see the rest click here.  

25

The next morning Kate came into my room when I was waking up. 

“Good Morning” I said.

“Morning Annie, you’re up early today.”

“I think I got too much sleep yesterday.  Also I’m a little concerned about my friend, Stella.”

“Is she ill?”

“Yes, she’s in the hospital for pneumonia.”

“I’m sure she will be fine.”

“That’s just what my daughter said.”

“Here are your pills and some water.  I’ll see you later in the dayroom” and she left.

I took my pills and then got my clothes and took a shower.

It was too early for breakfast and I decided to knit some more.  I thought maybe I would give this afghan to Stella when she was better.  As I rocked and knitted, I could feel it creaking.  I wondered if it could be fixed.

I saw Cheryl walking by the room and called to her.

“Can I help you with something Annie?”

“Yes dear, do you think there is someone here that could fix my rocker?”

“Let me call Jim from maintenance and see what he says” and she picked up my phone and dialed.

“Hi Jim, this is Cheryl.  Annie Dunkin has a rocker that she needs fixed can anyone do it for her?  Yeah, okay I’ll tell her” and she hung up the phone.  “He said he’ll be right down to look at it.”

“Thanks dear.”

“Okay, I’ll see you later.”

Shortly after she left, Jim came in.  “I have time to look at your rocker now what seems to be the problem?”

“Well, it’s very old.  I had it when my first child was born.  It’s beginning to creak.”

Jim looked it over and said “This can be fixed easily.  It has to be re-glued.  It will probably take a couple of days though because I will have to take it apart and get off all the old glue before putting new stuff on it.”

“That’s okay.  This rocker means so much to me.  I’m happy that it can be fixed.”

“I’ll take good care of it Annie” and he carried it out.

I put on a sweater and headed out to the day-room.  Not too many people were there yet so I headed into the family room and went to the computer, checked my email and again there was nothing so I turned if off.  There was today’s newspaper in the room.  I got a cup of coffee, took the paper and sat down on one of the chairs and started reading.

“Hello girlie” Fred said.

“Hello Fred, how are you this morning?”

“Quite well, thank you.  Is there anything good in the newspaper?”

“I don’t know I just started.”

“Well, have a good day.”

“You too Fred” and he left. 

A second later, I heard beeping.  Fred must be trying to escape and I chuckled and could hear Kate saying “Fred, you’re going the wrong way.  Let me get you to a table.”

I went back to reading the paper and drinking my coffee.

I could hear that more people were coming to the day-room.

I went to the day-room and I could see Clara sitting with the ladies and they were all laughing so I joined them.

“So Annie, what are you going to be?  I can’t wait any longer” Clara said.

“I decided to be a gypsy.  I already have all the things I need, how about the rest of you?”

Clara said “I decided to be Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer.  I have a pair of antlers I got years ago from Christmas from someone.  I thought I could put the red lipstick on my nose and where a brown sweatshirt.”

“Oh, I like that” I said.

“I’m going to be a pumpkin” Nancy said.  “I have an orange sweatshirt.  I thought I would use make-up to fix up my face.  The only thing I don’t have is a stem for my head.  If I had some green yarn I could knit up a cap for my head.”

“I think I might have some green yarn; I’ll check later, Nancy.”

“The only thing I could think of was a ghost.  I asked Cheryl if she could check and see if they have any old white sheets.  She told me if they didn’t she could go to Goodwill and get one for me.  I would just cut eyes and a mouth out.  What do you think” asked Audrey.

“I think it sounds like a plan” I said.

“I’m going to be a cowgirl” Mildred said.  “I told my daughter and she helped me come up with that.  She’s going to bring me a cowboy hat and I have a blouse that looks western.”

“And you Gladys, what are you going to be” I asked.

“I haven’t figured out one yet” she said sadly.

Just then our breakfast came.

 

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Mary #31

This is a continuing story.  If you want to read from the beginning, please go to my side bar to the labels and click on story-Mary or click here.

Sorry, I'm late.  Just got back into town.

31

She woke around 8 and Elizabeth was still sleeping.  She fed Lulu and then made the coffee and sat at the kitchen waiting for Elizabeth to get up. 

"I can't believe that it’s 9 already.”  Elizabeth said as she came into the kitchen.  "I must have really needed the sleep.  I feel more rested than I have in a long time.  It must have been that big bowl of ice cream last night" and they laughed.  She sat down at the table and Mary poured her a cup of coffee.

She pulled out her phone and called the doctor's office.   

"Well, that's done.  I have to go in at 2 this afternoon.  I'm going to call Donna" as she dialed the phone.  When she got off she said "Donna's going to come pick me up around 1:30 and we'll head over there.  Let's go outside and have our coffee.  I just love the fall and your Ma’s mums". 

They went outside and sat on the rockers.  They could feel the chill in the air but the sun facing porch warmed them almost immediately.   

"So, what have you been doing since you’ve been back?” 

"Not a whole lot.  It seems like I've been back forever but it really hasn't been that long.  As you can see by the boxes, I've been packing some of Ma and Pa's stuff up.  If you notice how nice the front flower bed looks, thanks to me.” 

"I see and you’ve done such a good job.  Have you seen a lot of people since you've been back?”

"No, I was pretty sad being back with Ma and Pa gone so I really haven't seen anyone.  I did meet Eli when he came over to cut the grass” 

"I don't really know him well but I saw him a few times.   Your Ma and Pa spoke very highly of him.”

"He seems like a really good guy" Mary said.

"Do I detect some interest in him?  That would be good.  It might bring you back home to stay where you belong.”

"Whoa, let's not get crazy here.  I just met him and I don't think he's ready to get involved with anyone.  You know his story, right.” 

"Yeah, your Ma told me but it's been a while since his wife and child have been gone.  I'm just saying don't close the door on the possibility because you don't know.”

"Okay, Miss Matchmaker, I won't.  Let's change the subject.  I told you I've been packing up my parent’s things.  I found these old books that Ma made for each of us kids.  I found out something I never knew. I had a twin sister named Sherry that died at birth.”

"Oh my goodness, did Jimmy or Johnny know?”

"I talked to Johnny about it but he didn't know although he remembers hearing the name one time.  Jimmy I haven't even had a chance to ask him about it.  It's been so strange since I found out about it.  I know I don't really know Eli well but I did mention it to him because of his child dying and he kind of helped me some, to see how my Pa might have been feeling.  Apparently, he got Ma to keep it quiet from me.” 

"So, how do you feel about the whole thing?”

"Well, I really haven't had time to figure the whole thing out.  But like many things in life, what's done is done and there's not anything I can do about it.  Later on, I'll show you the book and her picture.  Ma even saved a little outfit she wore.  I think I'm going to make myself some toast, I'm getting a little hungry.”

"I am too.  How about instead of regular toast, I make some French toast?”

"That sounds delicious to me.  I'm going to go put some clothes on.”  Mary went upstairs.

When she came back down, Elizabeth was putting the French toast on the plates and they sat down and ate. 

"Donna said something about going out to eat after my appointment so we can talk about what the doctor said, so if you want to do something for dinner, go ahead.” 

"Maybe I will.  Remind me to find you a key for the house in case I'm not here when you get back.” 

"I think I might take my bath now" said Elizabeth when they were done eating.

"Go ahead.  There's some great lavender bubble bath.  Just soak and relax for a couple of hours.” 

Elizabeth went upstairs.

 

Mary got her phone and called Eli.  His phone rang until voicemail picked up.  She started to leave a message when she heard “Hello, hello?”

“Hi Eli, were you busy?  I was going to leave you a message.” 

“I was finishing putting the crops on the truck.  What’s up?” 

Elizabeth is going to be gone later today for a while.  I wondered if maybe you’d like to go out for an early supper.” 

“Sure, what time?” 

“She’ll be leaving around 2:30 or so.  How about I come pick you up around 4?” 

“Okay, sounds good.  See you then.  Bye”.

When it was close to lunch, she went into the kitchen and decided to make a salad for her and Elizabeth.  She pulled out the greens and the other vegetables and started putting it all together.  While she was cutting the vegetables, her mind wandered to Eli and what a nice guy he was.  If only he lived in New York she sighed. 

She was startled by a knock at the back door.  Johnny was standing there.  “Hi sissie” he said as she answered the door. 

“You scared me.” 

“I had a few minutes so I thought I would tell Elizabeth how sorry I was about Mitch.”

“She’s taking a bath.  She has an oncologist appointment later that Donna is taking her to.  Would you like something to drink?”

“No, I’m not really staying.  I forgot to tell you I read the book you gave me from Ma.  No mention of Sherry in my book.  It was old pictures and stories from when we were kids.  That was about it.  Did you talk to Jimmy about it yet?” 

“No, I haven’t gotten around to it with everything that’s happened.  When things settle down, I’ll give him his book.  If you want you can mention it to Jimmy that’s okay.” 

“Maybe I will if I see him.” 

Just then Elizabeth came into the room.  “I thought I heard a familiar voice down here.” 

Johnny went to Elizabeth and gave her a hug.   

“How are you doing?  I was so sorry to hear about Mitch.  He was such a great guy.” 

“I think I’m still in shock.  It’s so hard for me to believe he’s gone.  It was such a senseless accident.  I don’t know what I’m going to do without Mitch.” 

“You will just lean on your friends. You know if you ever need anything you can count on me” Johnny said.

“I know and thanks.  I’ve always felt a part of the Jenkins family growing up and you all have really helped more than you all know during this difficult time”. 

“Now that I know you two are doing okay I better high tail it home.  Now that Sandy and I are together again we don’t like to be separated.” 

“I’m happy for you Johnny.  You go and be with her.  You just never know in life what’s going to happen.  Thanks for caring about how I’m doing.” 

Johnny went and gave Elizabeth and Mary a hug then said goodbye and left. 

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