A Man named Carroll

Let me tell you about a man named Carroll, he's my "Gramps." Growing up we always called him Gramps and/or Grampy. He and my Grammy would spend the winters down in Sarasota as we were growing up. It was always great to see them. I know one isn't supposed to have "favorites" per say but Gramps and Grammy were definitely my favorite grandparents. During the winters, Gramps and Grammy took in as many of our softball games as they possibly could during they week. He loved to come and watch us play, he would get a hot dog or two at the park and the traditional bag of popcorn or peanuts to round out the meal. We would always hear how good the food was there.

No matter what request we had of him, he always obliged. He was great with us. I'm writing of him today as he is on my mind of late. He will turn 90 years old on April 5th. When asked how he's doing, his normal reply is "Well, I'm gonna make it another day." Two days ago, after just getting out of the hospital he fell and broke his hip. Being a nurse, I know that a broken hip in an elderly man is hard to overcome and the road to recovery is a long one. He had surgery and they placed pins in his hip, he seems to be dealing with the whole thing okay. When I spoke to him last night asking how his day went, I got the standard answer, "Looks like I'm gonna make it another day." He also informed me that he "still hates hospital food" and when asked about his nursing care, he states "I'm making them work for their pay this week." I just chuckled and thought, what a way to look at life.

I honestly don't know what the future holds for him. I honestly hope "he's gonna make it for another 10 years." Either way, I'm so fortunate to have had him all these years!!!

I love ya, Gramps!

Breath in, Breath Out, Move on....

I heard a great CD this weekend while at my parents. The CD was one of Jimmy Buffett's. I'm a huge fan of Jimmy Buffetts as I have seen him in concert a couple of times and I'm envious of his carefree island lifestyle. His songs are infectious and they make you want to head to paradise island.

So the 3rd or 4th song on this CD was titled "Breath In, Breath Out, Move On." I thought catchy phrase with a profound meaning. As you would imagine, the message is "stuff happens, breath in, breath out, and move on." I thought wow, that's what I need to practice. For those who know me, I have a tendency to react to things that are out of my control, and I also stress out about things that I have little to no control over. So instead of getting all worked up unnecessarily, I will practice the words on Jimmy Buffett. Who would think I would be looking to Jimmy Buffett for guidance in stress relief. Jimmy doesn't appear stressed in the least.

So here's how it will work, when I find myself getting worked up I will walk away and take a deep breath in and blow it out stating, move on. I will let you know how it goes.

Enjoy your view....
Breath in, Breath Out and Move On!!!

Peaceful Getaway

So we went to my parents house for Easter. Originally, it was supposed to be Bill, myself, my cousin Ryan, and his wife Laura. Unfortunately, Ryan and Laura didn't make it as they had Delta Airline Standby tickets and on Easter Weekend it's challenging to fly anywhere "Standby." The Standby ticket story I'll save for another time. However, to say the process of acquiring Standby tickets from Delta is easy is a gross exaggeration! The whole process was a nightmare.

So on friday Bill and I made our way down to my parents house. It's always nice to go down there. They have a beautiful home, my mom cooks amazing meals, and it's nice to just relax. Bill said on many occasions, "I feel so relaxed here." "I'm very content here." It's nice to hear from Bill as he works a lot and relaxation serves him well.

I think we both needed the getaway. I always say, it's nice to go on vacation and "just get away from my life" for a few days. We are back now and reality will soon set in, work, chores, errands, and the daily grind will inevitably reappear. Hopefully, we can get down there again soon!!!

Happy Easter to all!!!

Death and Taxes

So most people say the two constants in life are dying and paying taxes. Everyone unfortunately will die and everyone should pay taxes. Since I'm not ready to die, I figure I will try and do my taxes this year myself. Talk about a piss poor decision on my part. Let's just say I'm happy I'm a nurse and not an accountant. After struggling to do them the last couple of days and getting more and more stressed and angry I have decided to take them to Jackson Hewitt and let them complete the taxes.

So Bill and I have an appointment with Jackson Hewitt tonight to do the taxes. We will see how it will all go down. Bill says to me, whatever happens with the taxes, let's not try to stress about it. Which really translates into "Autumn, please don't stress about paying the taxes." Does the man know me or what? That's why Bill and I are so good together, I stress and agonize about EVERYTHING and he stresses and agonizes about NOTHING. Talk about a good balance.
I'm really trying not to stress about the little stuff, we'll see how I do.

Enjoy your view!

Going home

I believe Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz had it down when she was clicking her heels together and repeating "There's no place like home, There's no place like home." I genuinely believe that and today I get to go home. I will get to sleep in my own bed, cook in my own kitchen, and enjoy my own home.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy traveling and I get to see and stay at really awesome places but there is something about going home. I'm sure a thousand things will require my attention as I get home. I'm sure there will be chores, errands, laundry, and bills to pay but I'm happy to do all of that.

I believe I will be home for the next few weeks and I'm sure I will be itching to travel again but for right now, I'm ready to go home.

Enjoy your view!

Holy Cow! It's Chicago

Holy Cow, I'm in one of my most favorite cities, Chicago. I love everything about this City. The weather, the people, the CUBS, the buildings, and the food. I'm very lucky, I get to come here about every 6 weeks give or take as we have a contract to work with Northwestern Hospital.

Growing up, I loved everything about Chicago or what it had to offer without ever stepping foot in the city. As a little girl, I would watch the
Cubs on WGN every afternoon and pretend I was there in the bleachers watching Sandberg, Grace, Dawson, and Dunston...they were my heros. I was also very pleased to watch and listen to Harry Caray broadcast the games, he was the best.

Today I went to lunch at Harry Caray's here in the city. The place is a Mecca to Harry Caray as you would expect, loaded with Cubs memoriabilia, celebrity pictures, and Harry-isms. All I can think is he would be so proud to see his legacy continuing with such abundance. So in his honor, I will say "Holy Cow, the cubs are gonna be great this year."

I'm having a gratitude moment, I'm lucky enough to frequent a city I've been in love with for most of my life, I get to eat at Harry Caray's and walk around thinking, "God, I'm so lucky and blessed to be here and be taking this in."

Enjoy your view!!!

Content or Satisfied or Settled????

I'm having huge issues today, issues where my heart and my mind don't match up. Maybe the issues are magnified because I'm sick and I'm feeling shitty. However, nonetheless they are issues.

Sometimes, I wonder if I'm doing enough with my life? I know I'm a walking contradiction, people tell me to slow down, not work so much, enjoy life. I tell myself that too but when I do, I wonder what else I can do to be successful. It's true, I bust my ass to be successful and make a good living but is it enough or in my mind will it ever be enough. I'm not talking about money specifically, but just my contribution to life in general.

I worry about me, I worrry about Bill, and I worry about us together. I mean that's natural, I want everyone and everything to be okay. I want us to make a difference Bill works hard and is successful. I work hard and I'm successful. Are we doing our best to be our best though? I constantly ask Bill to be on his "A Game", which essentially means being "the best person you can be." However, do I always bring my "A Game?" I hope I do, I want to be the best person I can be and give back.

I was watching Oprah's "Big Give Show" which probably prompted these questions and scenarios to appear in my head. Which lead me to ask the question, Do I really make a difference? I heard a quote on the show from one of the judges, (Comedian Chris Rock's wife). She stated, "Service is the rent we pay to live life." Profound and mind provoking, am I doing a service to anyone or anything? Often times, Bill and I come home eat dinner, watch TV, and go to bed. It's kinda boring and I'm constantly searching in my mind for things to do that are new and exciting. Bill works later in the evenings and he's usually tired and not really into doing much after a long day at the office but that doesn't mean that I can provide a service for someone and actually make a difference!

So make a difference I will. I am going to try and do something different, and make a difference in someone's life. That will hopefully resolve my internal conflicts in which my head and my heart aren't matching up.

Enjoy your view and make a difference!