A Living Legacy....

(Liberty taken from "Oh Danny Boy")

Oh Mother dear, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountainside
The summer's gone, and all the flowers are dying
'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide....
________________________________________________

Billy with his grandma, August 2010



Autumn has finally arrived in my neck of the woods. It will be a short lived autumn, I can already tell. It won't be long before the frost is on the pumpkin, and all the trees are bare. But for now, the air is crisp, the trees are more colorful everyday, and the smells of stews and soups fill the evening air.

This Autumn is different though. This one doesn't have my mom here. I want so badly to call her and tell her about my upcoming trip to Vancouver. I want to tell her that something hurts, and ask her advice. I want to share the everyday with her, like the results of my most recent mammogram. It's like something doesn't really have meaning until you tell Mom. Holidays are coming and she will be absent.

I will make no further memories with her. All the memories of my mother end in the Summer of 2011. There are no more pictures, phone calls, or visits after that season.

When Christmas comes this year, I know it will be sad because she wanted a big family Christmas, with everyone present. But, like my Father, July was the month in which she was to end her journey through life.
_________________________________________________________________________________

John and Janice Bulmer, 1957, at the beginning of their life's journey together.



She is now where seasons and holidays no longer matter. There are no changes in the weather, no sickness, tears, or death.

But I am still here, and I miss her so much. As I see Autumn unfolding before me, I remember it was her favorite season. She loved to drive to Skyline Drive and see the leaves at their peak. She enjoyed feel and smells of a cool Fall day.

_____________________________________________________

Mom holding great-granddaughter Cassidy, 2006.




Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2 tells us:

For everything there is a season, and a purpose for everything under the sun. A time to live and a time to die....

Her time and purpose lived out, it was her appointed time to go into eternity. My purpose and time may stretch for decades, or end before today's sunset. What matters is what you do for God. What is important is the legacy you leave behind.

Make thousands of memories with the people you love. After you are gone, they will be your legacy of love.

If you are the one who is left behind, then the memories of your loved one will be carried into the future. You will take them with you while you journey through life, past the point where their journey ended. Hopefully, you will pass your memories of them down to future generations, so that they too, will know the one who shaped your life. The person who once lived, will live again in the hearts and minds of future generations.

I love you Mom. You were my past and my present. Your life will be known by my grandchildren,great-grandchildren, and beyond. Your life's story will be written on their hearts and minds....
________________________________________________________________________________

A living legacy, of two people who fell in love and shared their life...the family of John and Janice Bulmer...continuing on into the future.

The RV Nightmare Has Come Full Circle....

In June, 2008 we picked up our brand-new RV. Dreaming of fun vacations, long weekend trips, and spur of the moment getaways, we were ready for this new adventure in our life. Ahh, what a difference three years make.

You see, we didn't know that there was such a thing as an RV that doesn't like you. Or one that doesn't like to travel. After all, it's called a travel trailer, I didn't think it was up for negotiation.

"We've travelled 100 miles, time to pump some grease into the wheel."



After two years of our RV standing for (R)uined (V)acation, we thought we'd finally gotten all the "Kinks" out of the beast. Since it didn't like to travel, and let us know by leaving us stranded on Interstate 95 on the hottest day of August two years ago...we thought we'd leave it in South Carolina. There it could rest, relax, and be towed on site by someone other than us. Expensive? You betcha, but when something bigger than you tries to kill you while doing 65mph, you try to appease it.

Bill had already spent a thousand man hours caulking and sealing every inch of the Big Turd to prevent the inevitable window leaks with each rain shower. We repacked the wheel bearings every 6 months, had the brakes replaced, and offered animal sacrifices if it would just behave...and it seemed to work. For one year, other than Bill using up one week of each vacation to care and nurture, caulk and seal, wash and dry, and feed and burp this ungrateful moron, it seemed like everything was finally okay.

"I only have to stay up here for a week, then I can enjoy my vacation."




While we'd never say RV stood for (R)elaxed (V)acation, perhaps it would let us have some peace.

"Please don't hurt me or cost me anymore money" chanted over and over like a mantra, seemed to help.



So for one year, the (R)otten (V)ermin lived at the beach, and seemed to behave, and the whole time, it was delaminating. Like an insidious cancer, water was seeping behind the laminate finish and warping the walls of the trailer. IT practically laughed out loud as we discovered the extensive damage in June. That is why we brought it back home, unwillingly, and had it towed to Indiana.

It would love to back up over Bill right now, but then, who would it torture???



Well, for one, the poor guy who towed it, ...but he's going to live. Let's just say the trailer didn't cotton to that fella...but after surgery, ICU, and three weeks off work, he'll be okay. I secretly suspect the Travel Turd thought Bill was towing....

On Wednesday, Bill drove to Indiana to pick up the (R)eason he will have a
(V)ascular incident. The folks at the Forest River Company replaced both sides, the rear wall, and roof. Gotta love a company that stands behind their (possessed), er, product. They even threw in 2 new axles for good measure. They gave Bill a tour of their facility.

Somewhere between here...



Here....




And the finished trailer, is where the possession with an evil spirit takes place.



Oh yeah, there is an Army of them, just waiting for an innocent owner, looking to have some Recreational Vehicle fun....



So Bill hitched up the Big Rolling Turd, and white knuckled it home, waiting for a tire to blow out. But IT behaved. That's because the (R)uined (V)acation maker knows we will have to take out a loan for the amount of caulk and sealant that will be needed to seal the new windows and roof.



Last night Bill whispered, ever so softly, that maybe it was time to sell. I heard IT giggle from it's broad perch in our driveway. Why stop now, the big, Travelling Torture Trailer seemed to say...the fun is just beginning...again!

This Past Week At My House....

This past week was mostly a fun week at my house; I had my birthday!!! I'm a little old to get that excited, but aren't birthdays just fun? I don't really care whose birthday it is, I always enjoy them.

This year, Susan came over and spent the night. It's always nice to see her, as I don't get to visit with her very often once school begins. When I woke up on my birthday, she had prepared a Potato Basil Frittata and Hashed Browns from the cookbook: Barefoot Contessa, Family Style (pages 182 and 188).

I know it looks like a pepperoni pizza in this pic. She put the pepperonis on there for her Dad. Because of his diet, he doesn't eat carbs, so she made half of it without potatoes, and added the pepperoni.



Breakfast was fabulous! I've never had anything disappointing out of that cookbook!



All my girls were together for my birthday!



I worked very hard to clean out all the leaves out of the pool that Hurricane Irene left behind...



Cleaned and open for business!! Too bad the water is sooo cold now! I still brave it when the sun is out!



On Saturday, Bill and I drove down to the Northern Neck of Virginia and visited a few wineries. There were some really pretty ones in the area, and it was a beautiful drive.

Oak Crest Winery.



The fields of General's Ridge Winery. Each grape arbor was individually labelled. It was the most meticulous vineyard I've ever seen.



Almost ready for harvest!



You can rent the Manor House. Wouldn't that be fun for a special weekend!



Last but not least, I found a home for the sweet kitty living in the backyard. I know she looks a little pitiful in the cat carrier, but remember, she was feral for so long, we couldn't even get close to her. Kudos to Billy who exercised such patience with her (yes, it's a her!) and eventually she trusted us. Our own Dr. Doolittle, Susan, is now giving her a loving, forever home.



Have a great week!!

This Past Week At My House

If you happened to live on the East Coast this past week, then you know it's time to relocate. First an earthquake, followed 4 days later by Hurricane Irene. Definitely a week for the history books. I have no "Big" earthquake, or hurricane stories to share...ho hum. Praise the Lord!

On Tuesday, prior to the earthquake, we took the boat out for only the third time this season, and the second trip doesn't count (dead battery). It was a beautiful summer day. We ran the boat from Mattawoman Creek to the Potomac River and across to Virginia and back. Bill stopped to fish, but alas, the fish were not biting.



On the way home the earthquake hit. Since we were already towing a boat, it didn't feel like anything to me. Bill thought he might be getting a flat tire on the trailer, and a couple of minutes later we started getting texts about the quake. At home some things fell in the hutch, medicine cabinet, and off a shelf, but thankfully, there was no other damage.

On Saturday, Hurricane Irene decided to blast the east coast, just in case the earthquake wasn't enough.

This is not a great pic, but it was raining too hard to roll down the window. You can see my Bradford Pear Trees being whipped around. I thought for sure I was going to lose them, but both are still standing...



Other trees were not so lucky. Our neighborhood lost another two Bradford Pear trees.



Irene was a tropical storm by the time she made it here. There are alot of power outages, downed trees, and tons of leaves everywhere. Some homes have damage to them. The first day of school was cancelled, to the delight and/or dismay of students.

Here is the bottom of my swimming pool. No raft/reading time for me today.



Only one county in Southern Maryland was calling for hurricane conditions on Saturday. That was St. Mary's county. Which just so happens to be where my RV is being stored. So I'm thinking...hurricane + travel trailer destruction = insurance payoff. Seriously, the RV doesn't even like us, we have to drag it unwillingly everywhere we go, and it loves to ruin Bill's vacations. So it seemed like a perfect solution. Except...

The self-preserving, possessed, travel trailer took off for Indiana on Thursday. I'm so glad it's safe and sound and out of harm's way (sarcasm). By the way, it made it there with no problems. Let's see what happens when we go to pick it up.



I made spaghetti pie this week to hide the fact that we were having spaghetti and meatballs for the one thousandth time this summer. It was layered noodles, sauce, meatballs, ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella cheese. I made two layers, then baked till bubbly. I don't think it fooled Billy, but he said it was really good. Sort of like a spaghetti lasagne.



We have a kitten living in our backyard under the shed. She's been here for about 6 weeks. She looks to be about 3 months old. She will come down in the evening and sit near us. She is also now letting Billy pet her sometimes.



Have a great week!

This Past Week At My House....

It wasn't a terribly busy time at my house this past week. I can't exercise because of my partially torn tendons in my left foot. I don't officially have any classes until September. So summer is winding down with a few lazy days left.

However, I did have Cassidy over one day to swim with her mommy. She was so cute!

She was quite proud of her pink bathing suit!



Last update on my garden, unless the sweet potatoes decide to produce anything larger than a finger-sized potato (I peeked). Their vines have overtaken the deck, and I don't think anything will become of them. The green bean plants are all dead, and the cucumbers are gasping for air. But as long as they have life, they might as well flabbergast me:

Here are two cucumbers I picked last week. I wish I had something beside them to show their true size. They were as big as small melons.



They had large seeds, and a very white interior. But they did smell like a cucumber. I declined to taste them.



These were two cucumbers I ate last week. They tasted normal, although they were less than pretty. I picked one that looked like a set of barbells, and one grew into a perfect ring. No pics of those, so I may be pulling your leg...



This past week I made what may be an unhealthy chicken dish, but it sure was good. For some reason, high fat and calories are comforting.

First, take some skinless, boneless, chicken breasts. Lightly salt and pepper them.



Then make a paste from Hellman's Light Mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese, and spread it over the chicken breasts.



Then lightly sprinkle Italian seasoned breadcrumbs over the chicken and lightly press down.



Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes, or until done.



This chicken was juicy and delicious! My husband said it was the best chicken he'd had in a while, which actually, wasn't saying much since I've hardly cooked. But I must say, although the recipe doesn't sound all that appetizing, it really was a keeper!



Well I must say this has shaped up to be one of the worst summers of my life. There have been things happening even up and beyond the obvious (death of mom) that have made it so stressful, and seemingly never ending.

However, last night I could smell autumn in the air, and you know that truly, all seasons pass. Both real seasons, and the seasons in your life.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven

And then you know, this too shall pass, it's purpose served, and life moves on, taking you with it... :)

Hobble While I Do The Next Thing....

Last week went pretty well. I got up, did chores, did some cooking, and got 85% back into my weekly routine. God is always faithful to help you when you seek Him.

Back in March, I started having pain in my left foot. I've received several injections for the pain, which always did the trick for a month or so. Right before my mother went into the hospital, I was stretching my calf muscle and felt something "pop" in my left heel. The pain was so bad it made me break out in a sweat. From that moment on, my left foot would frequently leave me in agony if I walked too far, and I limped my way around North Carolina.

Since returning home, I've noticed that it felt like the arch of my left foot was touching the ground when I would stand up. Well, apparently it was. I have been walking around with a group of partially torn ligaments in my arch for about 5 weeks.

Now I get to drag my foot around for 2 or 3 weeks in this boot. No small feat, pun intended.....



While in North Carolina, I stayed with my sister Kelley. Her son made several towel sculptures for the bathroom. Very creative Garrett!!!

An elephant....



And a Bulldog!



Last night I made steak for dinner. These were really juicy and flavorful. First drizzle some olive oil in a pan, and add about two tablespoons of butter.



While that is getting hot, rub into your steaks (I had Delmonico), Lemon Pepper Seasoning and Sea Salt. Rub in it really good, and don't be stingy...



When your pan is really hot and the butter is bubbly...



Throw those steaks in the hot pain and sear them on both sides. Then turn the heat down and cook them to your desired doneness (just stopped mooing for me :) )



Delicious!



We were blessed with a beautiful rainbow this evening, and it didn't even rain!



Have a wonderful day!

Do The Next Thing

A poem quoted by Elisabeth Elliot

Do The Next Thing

"At an old English parsonage down by the sea,
there came in the twilight a message to me.
Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven
that, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.
And all through the hours the quiet words ring,
like a low inspiration, 'Do the next thing.'

Many a questioning, many a fear,
many a doubt hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from heaven,
time, opportunity, guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrow, child of the King,
trust that with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer,
do it reliantly, casting all care.
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,
who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on omnipotence, safe 'neath His wing,
leave all resultings, do the next thing.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,
working or suffering be thy demeanor,
in His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
the light of His countenance, be thy psalm.
Do the next thing."

I love this poem and often quote the refrain "Do The Next Thing," but now, more than ever, I really need those words to have meaning.

My mother passed away on July 22, 2011, and I can't seem to "Do The Next Thing." The grief I feel is buried so far down inside of me, that I am paralyzed at the moment. I don't cook, I don't clean, I don't exercise, and most importantly, I can't cry.



Our relationship in my adult years was often tumultuous. But I did love and most importantly accept her for who she was...my mom. I tried to honor her as the Bible teaches. Her last week on earth was spent in the hospital, in a coma. During that time, I hugged, kissed, and talked to her in a way that she would never have allowed during her life. Never a demonstrative woman, I was free to express my love to her.

Locked up inside of me is a well of grief.

Dear Lord, please help me to "Do The Next Thing" while You shower Your love and mercy on me. Comfort my hurting heart, and help me to carry on and serve You.

I love you Mom, and miss you more than I ever thought possible.

Janice Lee Bulmer
July 23, 1938 - July 22, 2011