Celebrating Number 33

Today Doug and I celebrated our 33rd wedding anniversary. There wasn’t any fan fair or big presents, but I did have dessert for us and we each gave her each other a beautiful handwritten card. It seemed very fitting for where we are in life right now.

The last five years have by far been some of the most challenging times in our marriage due to no fault of our own. Doug’s health issues, the stress that Champion put him under and his dad’s refusal to fulfill the promises that were made to us so many years ago have made life really hard. Throw in a few other specific incidents that happened to the rest of our family, and I’m surprised that we made it through. But the good news is we did persevere. I wasn’t surprised because we always have. We didn’t need to celebrate our anniversary tonight because every day is a celebration of life. We’ve made it a long way together and God willing we will make it even further.

I hope the next year brings an easier path for both of us, but if it doesn’t, I know that we’ll get through it together. That’s the best part about being married to Doug, his perseverance, strength and optimism make life so much easier. I couldn’t imagine being married to anyone else.

Happy Birthday Cal

Cal turned 28 today and I appreciated his early morning phone call so that I could wish him Happy Birthday first thing.  He was walking back to his apartment from the BMV as he had finally made an appointment to get an Illinois' driver's license.  He was supposed to get one within thirty days of moving to the windy city, but Cal just couldn't bring himself to do it.  His heart was still in Indiana and part of him would always be a Hoosier.  

As Cal talked about how horrible the picture on his license looked, I laughed to myself.  I didn't think it was funny that he hated his photo.  I laughed because I knew that his statement, "I will never show it to anyone" just wasn't true.  Cal had the confidence to show people a "terrible" picture of himself and laugh at it with them.  Deep down he really didn't care.  That was the part that I don't know if everyone understood about him.  He didn't spend a lot of time in deep thought.  He enjoyed the moment too much.  The part of Cal that I knew was obvious to everyone was that he was the most loyal person that most people would ever meet.  When you were part of his inner circle, you were there for life.  I wasn't surprised that he met friends that were just as loyal as he starting with Jacye in seventh grade leading up to his current group of friends, mostly from IU.  It has been fun to watch and to be a small part of it through phone calls and conversations.

So much of Cal's personality reminds me of my own, but I believe that the best part of him came from Doug.  Not just the loyalty, but the hard work ethic as well.  I have enjoyed hearing about his success at work and am proud that he has embraced life in Chicago to the fullest.  I was thankful for the phone call today and am looking forward to celebrating Cal this coming weekend in person.  Until then I will appreciate browsing through all the pictures I have saved from his childhood.  As much as I loved being a mom then, I think that I enjoy being a mom of adult children even more now.

Installation

Tonight, I went to my third CCW meeting of the year.  I had planned on going to more even though I had resigned as treasurer last summer, but the first one in September left a bad taste in my mouth.  The president accused me of being incompetent and screwing up the accounts.  According to her they were so bad that it would take a lot of work to fix it all.  I was taken off guard when she said it so I didn't confront her, but it wouldn't have mattered.  It wasn't the first time that she had lied or bad mouthed someone to the group.  I decided that I just wouldn't have much to do with CCW for the rest of the year.  I didn't have the time or energy to put into a group being led by someone who had treated me poorly and I do not regret that decision. I did attend one more meeting in March.  I was surprised to see that the treasurer's report started with the exact account balance that I have given them in August. Even with that validation of my competence, I still had no desire to be a part of the group until there was a new leader.

Thankfully, tonight there was an installation of officers and Robbi would be taking over as president.  I was happy for her and knew that she would work hard to make the group a positive experience for all members.  It was nice to sit with friends and know that I was valued.  That is what I believe most people want from a philanthropic group.

Owens Corning

Yesterday, Cameron packed up his Pilot and drove to Toledo.  He was excited about his summer internship with Owens Corning, but very nervous as well.  He hadn't moved anywhere where he knew absolutely no one or anything about the town that he would be living in for the next twelve weeks.  Even when he went to IU three and a half years ago, he was extremely familiar with Bloomington and Brett lived only a mile away from campus.  I was very glad to hear that he really liked the three roommates that he was paired with and that their apartment was nice.  The only problem he had was that he expected a twin bed and didn't bring full size sheets.  He could remedy that easily with a stop at Walmart later in the week.

Cameron called this evening to let us know that his internship had started off well.  There was a lot of getting to know everyone and the company that gave him an internship. I am sure that today foreshadowed the rest of his summer as it will be filled with a lot of learning since Cameron is new to working in the field of supply chain.  I believe that is what he is looking forward to the most as well as the extra spending money.  Although I will miss having him in Florida this summer, it is nice to know that Cameron will be getting a break from Bloomington for a few months and will get a taste of what life could look like after college. I can't wait to hear all about his first week when we visit Toledo next weekend.  

One More Added to the Beer Making Crew

Last night, while Meg and I were at the Jason Mraz concert, Phil showed Nick how to make beer.  Nick really enjoyed the lesson, Doug had a great time watching, and I was glad that the three of them were able to hang out together.  Nick was impressed by the operation and by Phil's knowledge of the beer making process.  He said that Phil talked the entire time that they were together, which is a rarity.  I don't think that Nick will be here to bottle the beer as he has to attend training in Ohio, but at least he got a taste of it, and we will save a few bottles for him to try when he returns. 

By moving to Florida, Nick gave up the quick trips to see his own family in the Midwest.  I don't know if he minds living over a thousand miles away from them as each family has their own dynamics to work through, but I am glad that we can step in at times and fill the void.  I would never want to take over being his parents, but I am very happy that we get along so well with our one and only son-in-law.  It makes everyone's lives a lot easier and brings a new perspective to the Heinisch family.

Jason Mraz

Several months ago, I noticed that Jason Mraz was going to be playing in Orlando and Clearwater this weekend. I said something to Meg and she seemed interested in going with me, but we didn’t spend a lot of time talking about it at the time. As the date grew closer, we both realize that Orlando wouldn’t work. The venue was closer to Meg’s apartment, but the tickets were a lot more expensive and it was on a Sunday night, which would mess up Meg‘s Monday morning work schedule. Thus, we focused on Clearwater instead. I wasn’t sure if it would work as it was a Saturday night and the venue was about an hour 45 from our house, but with Meg’s encouraging I went ahead and bought two tickets for us for tonight performance.

In the end, I was so glad that Meg kept encouraging me to go. I had really liked Jason Mraz‘s music ever since he was on Dancing with the Stars two years ago. My kids make fun of me for saying that his music is peppy when it’s really just a bunch of love songs, but I think it’s his personality that makes the music so much fun and that really came through at tonight's show. It started off a little strange as he had an opening act filled with folk music. Neither Meg nor I were sure why that was about until she read that the performer was the one who gave Jason Mraz his big break. We did enjoy the music and were thankful for a small intermission before the main show to change seats as there was an entire row open closer towards the stage and away from the crowds of people that we were sitting with. It made the show so much more enjoyable and gave us a minute to relax before the night really started.

Jason Mraz played for almost 2 hours showcasing every one of his songs that I knew by heart and even a few that I had never listened to before this evening. He had a new album out full of gospel music that he made for his grandma 20 years ago. He played a few of those as well.  They were very fun songs, and they fit his set list very well. Meg and I sang along to the ones we knew and clapped along to the rest. He made the crowd laugh, he made me cry, and I had such a good time that I was sad when the night ended. I couldn't believe that someone who I had never really heard of two years ago was now one of my favorite performers and that I got to see him on stage in person.  

The drive home was a little precarious because of a torrential rainstorm, but we safely made it before midnight. We were shocked to see Doug still awake, but it gave me a great opportunity to show him all of the video and pictures that I had taken tonight. It was the perfect way to end such a wonderful evening with Meg. One that I will not forget for a very long time.

A Different Kind of Summer

Yesterday, I went to lunch with Robbi and Robin at Chicken Salad Chick.  It has become one of our favorite places to meet and I really enjoy our luncheons.  It gives everyone a time to catch up, ask questions or find out what is going on with CCW.  This week there was a lot to discuss about the women's Catholic group as Robbi was voted in as president at the last general meeting.  Robin and I both have positions on her board and I was very glad to help Robbi get started on the agenda for her first board meeting in June.

There is another reason that I am very glad to be a part of CCW's leadership this year.  For the first time in thirty-one years, I will not have anyone home with me during the summer months.  It didn't really dawn on me how much I really looked forward to summer and having at least one child at home on break until we got back from California.  I cried then and could cry now thinking about it.  Thus, I am glad that I will have friends here to meet for lunch and involvement in a group.  I also thought about attending daily mass more, reading a few books on my list, and planning our next could of trips.  There are several indoor projects that I could work on as well.  The boys text or call often and Meg is close by as well, which I appreciate very much.

Most importantly, I realize that Cameron really needs a job this summer.  Therefore, I will make the best of my situation alone so that he can grow as a person (and make some much needed money.)  Being supportive is one thing that I can offer my adult children, and I am always happy to do that.