Oh summer, please don't go.

where oh where is June....gone....
where oh where is July....behind us....blown away by fireworks....
August oh August stay as long as you can....wrapping us up like a warm blanket....
oh summer please don't go....I love your sunny skies....the humid nights....a breeze....
why does the sun have to move away? great ball of fire!
summer disappears,"like smoke through a keyhole"

Heat Warnings

Hello my friends,
The high temperatures right now are very dangerous to everyone especially those with health related problems. Staying inside is the best thing to do. I know that is so boring, but it only takes a second to become overwhelmed by the heat and humidity. Air conditioning is almost a necessity today. What did we all do in the old days? I can't remember. Please,please,please take special care of your critters. They are depending on YOU to keep them cool, comfortable, and well watered. Do not take them in the car. In seconds they can experience heat stroke and permanent brain damage. Don't be a stupid fool.
Things to keep you cool. Swimming pools, popsicles, iced tea, lemonade, fans, movie theaters, cold watermelon, big shade tree, waterslides, ice bags, the mall, speed boats,jet skis,and the best thing of all...air conditioning!
That's all folks. Heed the messenger. Why not go to Wally World and pick up a cheap baby pool to dunk your feet in while enjoying an ice cold beer. Love, Jodi

The world's best medicine.

What can I say....best medicine?...a dog. I went through many years of illness, but they were tolerable because my best friend was always by my side. We've shared the bed, the couch, the chair and even the floor at times when I was kissing the porcelain. Just being able to rub my hands through something warm,soft, and furry was very soothing to me. Having someone to talk softly with made my blood pressure lower.
My first big guy was Beau. A rescue dog from the pound. Part shepherd, part collie, a gentle giant.He died at 15. The best dog I ever had. Now, I have Puddy. Little guy. Part chihuaha, part mini toy terrier. He's like a little baby. I love him so much, I kiss him a hundred times a day. He's 12 years old now. I have never been without a dog.Whether you like cats,horses,rabbits whatever....it is good to have a 4 footed friend to share the ups and downs of life with. They are good listeners and they totally understand. all my love, Jodi

Inspirations

"Let me always be the person my dog thinks I am."

"There is nothing stronger than the heart of a volunteer."

"Hitch your wagon to a star."

"Die young as late as possible."

"Give to others and your light will break forth like the dawn."

"Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."

"The soul never gets old."

"Courage is fear that has said it's prayers."

"Kissing is like sharing a ripe fruit while dancing in the snow."

Happy Friday in July 2010

Hello my friends and welcome to my world. Today is a lovely Friday, with a great weekend ahead. Tomorrow is the annual fireworks festival. It's kinda fun. The display is usually beautiful. The weather is holding out quite nicely, with 100% humidity. These are the summers I remember as a kid. We loved them. We played outside until the streetlights came on. I think about the iceball man who used to come through in his little white truck that had a roof on top. He would yell, "ice a ball...ice a ball." I think he spoke broken English. They were 10 cents apiece. The Mister Softy truck came too, but I liked the ice ball man better. Sometimes we would go to Cascade park to get a lemon ice. Yummy, yummy, yum, yum,yum! I LOVED those. Today they are not the same. Everything today is made from a mix. Back then they used real lemons.Those were the days my friend. My favorite ice cream spot now is Forbush. Really good. Rileys was a cool fun spot. I would jump on the trampolines and hit baseballs or golf balls. They had good ice cream too. The miniature golf course was excellent. I have many good memories of Riley's Funspot. Most of these summer things are gone now, but the memory of these places and events will always be there. What we must do now is find new places and make new memories. Have a fun, fun, summer. A thousand kisses, Jodi

My Brother Mike

People often wonder if a person who is very sick and out of it can hear if you are talking to them. Take it from me, the person can hear. When I was "out of it" I heard alot of things, but the person I heard the most was my brother, Mike. He is my older brother and is always there for all the family. He was the one that kept telling me that I was going to have my respirator removed and then I was going to get out of bed and then I was going to get to eat regular food and drink and then when I got strong enough I was going home. I always could hear him talking and talking to me. I used to think to myself...this is never going to happen, but it did. Everything he told me came true. It took months and months and months, but it did come to pass. It is funny how I can hardly remember anything, but to this day I can hear Mike's voice...always positive and encouraging me to hang in. I'm sure that was hard to do because things looked very bleak for me. It was a miracle I pulled through. I truly believe if it wasn't for my family and friends I would have let go. I was so tired. I wanted to go to sleep forever. I was even too tired to go to heaven. I just wanted to sleep.

My family is so important to me. I trust them all with my life. My mom, my brothers, my sister, my sister-in-laws, and all my great uncles. Some families go their separate ways, but my family is there always, even if we don't always get along. My brother Mike is the big toe. He was always the leader. Just ask my brother Donnie who followed him everywhere. I have really good memories of Mike and I still living at home and enjoying our morning talks over his coffee and my tea. We had alot of fun growing up. Mike likes to boat. Going boating is the best.

I am thankful to have a good brother like Mike. He took me to my arm surgery last week and we actually had a decent time. We can find humor in almost anything. That's what I like about Mike the most...he is really very funny.

Lot's of laughs, lot's of love, Jodi

To Mike With Love

4th of July 2010

Hello my friends,
I had a very nice holiday. Aside from the extensive heat, it was a great summer day. I started out at my brother Mikes house. There was food galore and many red, white and blue desserts. I had a cupcake and red velvet cake.(three pieces) My hamburger from the grill was pretty yummy and Ma's macaroni salad was good. There were yard games, but we were too lazy to play. We lounged around and told funny stories. We really missed uncle Vic and aunt Gerry. The 4th is better when they are home. My unk is the life of the party.

My second stop was my girlfriend Marci's house. She has a nice pool. I didn't swim but just sitting on the deck and relaxing was alot of fun. She had some yummy food too. I ate a favorite of mine I like to call "fluff".

We ended the night at a lakeside fire under the stars, and looking at fireworks...smores and hotdogs included. It was a great day of celebration. It looked like everyone took advantage of this historic holiday. Parties and antique cars everywhere. God bless America, and God bless you. Love you Tina, get better for our shopping trip. Jodi