Wendy's Warehouse

The Search for Huggy

2010-01-13T21:08:00.006-05:00

It was insidious. The time thieves crept in on cat-like feet, quietly and sneakily taking away first hours, then weeks, until ultimately months passed without a blog entry. Work, volunteer work, taking care of my elderly mother-in-law who now resides with us, and taking care of my "hospice pup" took me away from Wendy's Warehouse.

Whoever (s)he is, Huggy has called me back to this secret pleasure of mine -- the blog! My daughter and her boyfriend read Huggy's comments and told me I HAD to get back to my blogging. We're so impressed with Huggy's eloquence; it almost intimidates me because I can't write half as well. But, this is about musings and wanderings, not about professional storytelling....so, I guess I'm back!

Who is this magical motivator? My daughter's on the case -- trying to uncover more information about who this person is. How do we find Huggy's blog? We'd all like to read more from this sumptuous stringer of words.

Thank you, Huggy, for rallying me back. More to come. . .

Unintended Consequences

2010-01-09T22:14:00.002-05:00

I enjoyed my first cruise over the holidays to the Caribbean. Beautiful sunsets, tropical breezes. Food provided for me 24/7. Room cleaned and serviced often with every whim and desire answered and met. Entertainment available with many options to choose from.

The ship was the host and I was the parasite......just like the bedbugs in my cabin.....whom I carried home with me.......ugh.

2009-08-22T19:13:00.002-04:00

We enjoyed a girls trip to Seattle, WA last month - my sister, daughter and I. There was the usual parasailing, kayaking, sight-seeing, and lots of walking. Along with the wonderful bonding and sharing.

While there, I also found my passion - sailing! My dream now is to move back to Erie, PA and own a 29' Hinckley sailboat. Ah, now that would be heaven....my husband and I sailing on Lake Erie.

After all my travels, I'm still convinced Erie, PA is the best of the best. An undiscovered, gem. A hidden jewel. The best-kept secret of the northeast.

2009-06-08T21:10:00.003-04:00

I'm heading to Erie on the 17th. It's the best time of year to be in this wonderful city! Cool lake breezes on warm summer days! The smell of freshly cut grass teases the nose while the song of seagulls plays in the background.

Heaven!

Find the Joy

2009-04-19T11:14:00.003-04:00

Noise all around. Moving, continually moving. People coming and going. Demands, requests, conversation. Up, down. Bend, lift. Work, drive, shop. Technology advancing, better, faster, don't stop!

Pause....the cheerful twitter of a sparrow. The bark of a dog. The monotonous purring of a mower. Simplicity. Joy.....

Erie, PA - 2009 Dynamic Dozen Women in History

2009-01-04T18:23:00.004-05:00

Congratulations to my big sister, Barb Ertl (pictured)! She's been selected as one of the 2009 Dynamic Dozen Women in History in Erie. I'm so very proud of her!

The awards are taking place on April 14th.....unfortunately, the same date of my daughter's 25th birthday. What's a good mother/sister to do? Of course, my daughter comes first -- even if it's only 10 minutes together, she wants me to be here in NC......however, my sister thinks that birthdays come each year while her award is once in a lifetime....

Such a problem, having two very special people celebrating separate special events on the same day!

Wishing everyone a peaceful new year!

Time is the Best Gift

2008-11-20T20:42:00.002-05:00

Have you ever felt guilty for "doing good"? I'm a care partner volunteer through the United Way for families living with Alzheimers. There are two lovely gentlemen, neighbors, who are on this journey together. They and their wives have been living with this for a long time. The wives are their primary caregivers - 24/7 without relief. I'm going to give them a break for 3 hours each Saturday. The guys and I are going to hang out, play cards or checkers, go for walks - whatever they're up for.

The wives will be able to use the 3 hours to do something they don't normally get to do....like visit with their grandchildren, get their hair done, shop without having to worry about hubby wandering off, going for a drive on their own so they can scream if they want to! Things we take for granted every day. They're also grateful to have someone new to talk with - and their stories are so interesting.

I feel guilty hearing their gratitude - getting to make their day makes me feel like a million dollars - I think I'm actually getting more out of this than they are....

Please give someone your time today...even if it's just 5 minutes of undivided attention. You'll make yourself feel better at the same time.

Wiinjuries are Wiilly Worth It!

2008-11-17T20:24:00.005-05:00

On my last birthday, I bought a Wii. Hmm, you might say, a middle-aged woman bought herself a video game for her birthday? -- Loser!!!

Not so! I actually bought the gift of time with my family. Lets face it, once the "kids" become adults, they have very little time for ole Mom and Dad. That's okay, they should be out blazing trails toward their future lives. It just makes the time we do get to spend together that much more special.

...and if you find a way to increase the frequency and volume of that together time.....well, I say "all's fair in love and war". And I love my kids!

The Wii brings the kids home - with or without their loves - at least three times per month. We had so much fun this past weekend; hours of bowling, tennis, Wii fit, etc. Some weekends it's American Idol or Guitar Hero. But each time, it brings laughter and closeness.

Who knew, though, that you could get sore shoulders, laryngitis, aching muscles, etc. from virtual activities!? And who knew that there's a term for these "injuries"? We thought we were being clever by complaining about our "wiinjuries"...until I googled it and found 1,440 listings for this term!

Wii is revolutionizing the language!

Wii is revolutionizing my family dynamics!

I've got a corner of my kids' time...and I'm wiilly, wiilly grateful.

Rob Bennett Saves the Day

2008-11-05T20:16:00.002-05:00

Erieites are the greatest, folks!

I'm moving into a new office on Friday....and in planning the decorations it occurred to me that I could show off my beloved Erie. I searched the Web and found a FABULOUS site for photographs and prints - www.lakeshore-landscapes.com. Rob Bennett offers beautiful photographs of and around the Erie area. Check it out! Even if you're not interested in the city, or have never been there, you'll find beautiful shots that you can use for your home or office.

Rob is wonderful. I contacted him and explained my desire to get the prints to hang in time for visitors that will be here on Monday. I've told them so much about my hometown...they think I'm just "crazy for Erie"! Now, I'll have the proof. Anyway, not only did Rob respond immediately, he figured out how to make it happen, even taking his lunch hour to get the prints to the post office. Did I mention that he did all this without payment up front? He's trusting me to get a check in the mail (Rob, if you're reading - I mailed it this evening!).

Rob represents the spirit of Erie -- can-do attitude, generous, giving, neighborly.

See for yourself; go to www.lakeshore-landscapes.com!

Ode to Bear

2008-10-25T14:53:00.006-04:00

My heart is tripping, giddy with excitement, flush with a feeling of success.

Silly, yes, but how fun! Today, when I opened this athenaeum of thoughts, I discovered my first follower - Huggy Bear. Welcome!!!

Who is this person, I wonder? I could click on Huggy’s link, but instead I find myself savoring the wonder; someone is interested enough in my tumbling thoughts to comment upon them.

Ah, the bear is a noble and stalwart creature. Impervious to human foibles. Strong, intimidating, dangerous. Yet, constructed in a design that humans find cuddly. An enigma.

Who is Huggy Bear?

Heart is Back Home

2008-10-18T16:37:00.006-04:00

An autumn day in Greensboro, NC; harkens me back to my hometown, Erie PA. Do people still say "harkens"?

This gem is often ridiculed, "the mistake by the lake", "dreary Erie", but if one takes the time to look around and unearth her treasures, all the best of our country can be found in this unique spot between Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Buffalo.

Erie is located in Pennsylvania - the birthplace of our country. Do you know why it's called the Keystone state? There are six states bordering it - three above and three below. It was in the middle of the original 13 colonies and held them together like the keystone in an archway.

Erie is the third or fourth largest populated city in the state (depending on various sources). It's known as the Flagship City because of the Brig Niagara that's housed there - Oliver Hazard Perry's flagship. Its lesser name - although I feel more fitting - is the Gem City because of its sparkling lake.

In the summer there is the beautiful Presque Isle State Park (an actual peninsula) with 7 miles of sandy beaches, hiking trails, canoeing and boating, tour boats, dinner cruises, and of course, fishing. There are peaceful nature walk trails in Asbury Park with a large meteor waiting to be discovered. The North East suburb hosts the annual Cherry Festival and is home to many wineries open for tours.

In the winter, thanks to the fantastic lake effect snow, there's sled-riding in Frontier Park, ice-skating and skiing (40 minutes away at Peak 'n Peek, Clymer, NY).

The problem with Erie? The residents don't realize what a true treasure they have!

Aw shucks, now I've done it.....I'm homesick again!

10-18-08 Wanderings

2008-10-18T11:21:00.002-04:00

I'm an Independent, but usually by this time in the political process the decision is clear to me. Is one truly a boy-wonder or is he perhaps a false prophet? Is the other one really able to break through party lines or would the government be the immovable force as always?

Is it really a done deal or is the media steering as usual? What are you really going to do in November?

Overhead a conversation between Holly and Kevin .." I don't usually think of Randy and whimsical in the same sentence".

How can my daughter be so much like my husband? Love to hear the interchange between the two.

I really want to get the house fixed up.....someday is always another day away....

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, the leaves are morphing into the color pallette of the great artist.

10-16-08 Celebration

2008-10-16T21:07:00.005-04:00

Kyle received an "A" in his Organizational Communication mid-term exam. Fabulous! He also has an "A" in Spanish....waiting to hear about the other classes but expect more of the same.

Celebrate good times, come on! We're going out to dinner tomorrow en familia.

All's quiet at our house tonight. Kevin's in Dallas, currently at the Dallas stadium; certainly he's playing the dual roles of quarterback and receiver in make-believe land.

Holly and Kyle are both home.....went through the candy bag and worked together - peacefully - in distributing the cache. Can it be true? Is my work as a mother done? They're now able to co-habitate in tandem! I feel goooooood!

Sad news for my Frosty girl. She's now profoundly deaf. I'm hoping it's a short-term freakish reaction to her ear drops and she'll return to normal soon. She's so vulnerable right now.

Screen door is open and I can hear the frogs singing. Ah, smell that wood burning from the neighbor behind the trees. Crickets chirping, too. Indian summer is the stuff of which literary writers are drawn to. Wish I had that talent. I think my talent is appreciation.

Bits

2008-10-11T20:17:00.003-04:00

It's a peaceful time....

Kevin in the chair with Buddy in his lap, tilted back, relaxed, both stepped out of the week-long stress, watching the southern-style Mecca -- that which is Nascar.

Frosty and I...side-by-side on the loveseat...aptly named as we two seated share the unique love that is woman and dog.

The "kids" out with their respective current loves....happy and enjoying life. As it should be.

Life....ahhh, it's good.

Musing

2008-10-11T20:15:00.000-04:00

Being is the great explainer. -Henry David Thoreau

Wendy's Warehouse

2008-10-11T17:12:00.000-04:00

Hello and welcome to Wendy's Warehouse!

My warehouse is made up of bits and pieces, wisps of thoughts, mental wanderings, memories and wishes. I share these with you dear readers, intrepid wanderers of the Web.