Martini Musings

  63 is Pretty Darn Good! So, June is over…the month that I used to cherish for my wedding anniversary and my birthday! Then three years ago, that changed. Dates in June started to become days to avoid! June 9 would have been my 37 th anniversary. Fortunately, I had plans with friends and the day was a total distraction. Then came June 18, the date three years ago that my divorce became final. THREE YEARS! I didn’t say anything to anyone although there was a friend or two who knew about it and quietly checked in on me. Soon, the day was over and with a cocktail in hand, I thanked my family for getting me through the day. Then came my birthday and it was a great weekend with Katie, Anthony and Gabriel. Having my little family join me in Louisville for a birthday weekend was a great gift! We went to the zoo (ummm…not exactly what I wanted to do!) and the weather cooperated! We pushed Mom around with us, Gabriel took turns riding in the stroller and walking his little legs off!...

  A Grateful Shoutout!   Okay, so I’m new to the physical therapy thing. Well, not totally new, but it has been a longtime since I had knee surgery and had four weeks of physical therapy. Then again, I think I’ve had more issues this past few months than I’ve had in a long time.   However, I’m definitely on the mend and wanted to give a shoutout to the occupational therapist that has been working with me! When I went to the orthopedic doctor and he told me movement was the best solution for me, I wanted to scream and I wanted to punch him. Since I am a rule follower, I started therapy last week and friends, it wasn’t pretty. The sweet therapist, about 12 years old, smiled and said…”Show me your best fist!” I chuckled and said, “well, here you go!” My pinky and ring finger were super cooperative, but my middle finger and my index finger wanted nothing to do with this little game! So gently, she put my hand in hot compresses to loosen things up. Then after that,...

  The Secret is Out!!   Okay, so last week was a crazy week! Happily, this week is shaping up to be much better! It started with my weekend in Pittsburgh where I was treated to babysitting for you-know-who! Gabriel couldn’t wait for me and he made that clear by saying CeCe many times in the 48-hour period! As most grandparents know, hearing your name from your grandchild is always a treat, but I have to say, this was a highlight! It was a quick visit and I am so grateful to be able to do it. Katie and Anthony had a lovely few hours out alone and I had quality time with this buddy of mine! I love him so!! Perhaps the best part of the weekend was getting the permission to share the news that Gabriel is being promoted to BIG BROTHER!!! Yes, my friends, Katie & Anthony are expecting T2 (Baby Trupiano #2) and I am over the moon!! She told me at the beginning, like a good daughter should, but I had to keep it quiet for a short while. Then, on Easter weekend, they sha...

  I Fell…and I Couldn’t Get Up! Do I have your attention??? Well, it is kind of true, and because I could not come up with a more creative title… Saturday started out to be a good day. I had returned the previous evening from a good day in Cincinnati and had my short list of errands…Kroger and the Post Office. After completing the drop off of my envelopes from work, I headed out to my car. The parking lot was empty except for my vehicle, since they closed at 1pm. As confident as I could possibly be, I stepped off of the curb and totally lost my footing and that’s where the story gets crazy…I felt my body moving ahead of my feet, while my feet continued to try and steady my body. Unfortunately, neither my legs or my body were listening to me…”I’m not going down, I’m not going down,,,Come on Lisa, no, no, no…” Then the pavement started to get closer and closer, all in slow motion. I braced myself for impact and down I went, mostly on my right fingers. There I was, on my knees...

  A Lasting Bond… Thirty-eight years ago, a very good family friend, who was still in high school, was pregnant. She chose to keep the baby and as a show of her support for this young woman, my Mom offered to baby-sit for her while she finished school.  Needless to say, this little baby became a part of our family…even though he had a loving mother, and a whole group of doting family members. We taught him tricks, we gave him Oreos for breakfast, and we made him laugh, changed his diaper and did everything we could to claim our part of his little life. After high school, this young woman, got a job, and with the help of many, she was able to become a stellar single momma. We were always included in this baby’s special occasions…birthdays, school events, and eventually, graduation and marriage. He has become a responsible young man, much to the tribute of his mom and the great family that surrounded him. As my Mom has gotten older and he has moved away, he always makes a ...