Like the Brady Bunch.....NOT !!!!

 

I must admit when Carl and I first got together, we had this idealized vision of our families becoming close. We thought all the kids would get along...like they had known each other for years. And we held on to that way of thinking for as long as we could. But like my daughter Kim said to me: "Mom...we are all adults. It's not like we grew up together...and we're not gonna' be best friends." Sadly, she was right. My kids and Carl's kids are.....uh....let's just say they have nothing in common. Having said that, let me add that we tried very hard to include all the kids in every family gathering and holidays, etc. with limited success. It only works if everyone wants the same thing. Obviously, that was not the case. Like I've said before, nothing is really 'black' or 'white'....It is what it is and we're trying to make the best of that.

 

On a lighter note, Carl and I are doing better than ever. I FINALLY quit ragging him about his past...praise the lord !! And Carl says...'whew, it's about time !' And it was...for sure !! I had to turn it over to God or we were not going to make it. So now we are laughing, loving and planning a wonderful future together. We have so much we want to do...starting with selling this big ole house and finding a smaller one...getting rid of all this stuff...and just living a simpler life.

 

We are very proud of ALL our grand kids...there are several geniuses in the bunch, a couple of artists and some actors (aka hams) in the making. And NO, we are not prejudiced ! Tee hee...And our newest addition, Adam Richard Stooksbury, is already a world traveler...and he's only 2 1/2 months old ! He just watched his Daddy run a marathon in Ireland. So most things are right in our world...and that's all we can ask for.

 

Moving in the right direction

Carl and I are wanting to sell this big house and buy something smaller...with maybe a few acres. There's lots to do before we're ready to sell though. Purge, purge and purge some more !! We haven't started looking but hope to soon. Carl is working 10-7 5 days a week so our time is limited. He feels great about contributing to our retirement funds. I really never cared if he did or not but it's important to him.

Carl: Tammy I'm gonna love you forever and ever Amen

He's not an ax murderer......

I was feeling kind of bad about my last blog...especially my talking about Carl's 'past' being the center of all of our disagreements. Let me clarify if I may. It's not that Carl's past is awful...he's never been in jail, never killed anyone, never hurt anyone.....it's just that I NEVER had to deal with a past at all. As many of you know, Rick and I met when we were 13 and 17....and we were together for 36 years....so it was just me and Rick. No exes, no ex-girlfriends....no nothing. Dealing with a past is all new to me but we are moving forward by leaps and bounds. I've asked everything you could ask...sorry Carl....and I know things I probably would rather not know... but I asked ! So...it is what it is. Carl and I are blissfully happy 99% of the time. He really is a wonderful man...so smart and funny and affectionate.( Lucky for me, nobody from his 'past' realized this.) I love the way he loves me and the way he loves my kids and grand kids. And the way he plays guitar and sings to me.He is very good to me...and I love him very much !

We haven't killed each other yet!!!! Tee hee

It's been over a year now and we have had our ups and downs...................

      Some of our 'ups' were........trip to Karen's in Colorado, and Kansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri. We enjoyed ourselves on that trip. In September, we attended Karen's daughter, Katelin's wedding in Charleston, SC. Then we spent a week in Myrtle Beach. Also we attended Doug's daughter Ashley's wedding in Clinton..Speaking of weddings...Carl and I were thinking about the date for our wedding as being 11/11/11. Obviously that date has come and gone...so now we are thinking 12/12/12..that would be easy for us to remember....Our little princess Ellie Claire was born on January 14, 2011...it's hard to believe that she will be a year old soon...how time flies! Carl has been painting the house inside as we would like to sell and downsize to simplify our lives.. we are all about simplifying these days....we think Keri has it right when she says "The less you own,,,the less owns you."
     As for the downs......Yes we have had some pretty intense quarrels....usually over his past and my inability to get over it !!! Hey, I own it ! But we are definitely moving in the right direction. And it really helps if I get enough sleep. Right honey? (Carl says 'Amen to that !') We said some ugly things to each other...mostly unwarranted. I sped off a couple times in a rage...and once Carl had to go to the emergency room because his blood pressure got dangerously high. No...we are NOT proud of any of this drama. But Carl and I are both stubborn as mules...we butt heads sometimes ! Or you could say sometimes we are butt heads. But in the end, we know we were meant to be together. We finish each other's sentences. We read each other's minds. We have a connection that cannot be denied.We have a mutual admiration and intense love for each other. We are sure that we will spend the rest of our lives together. Our love is strong.
       

Change your thoughts and change your world !!

I have to admit to being that 'green-eyed monster' sometimes where Carl is concerned. And I HATE that about me....it's not too great for Carl either. We really do love each other and are planning our future together.

White Plains - My Baby Loves Lovin'