Little white lies - A True Love Fairytale

Little White Lies

me and gregger

 

 

 

 

One of the best lessons I ever learned from my mother-in-law was to tell “little white lies.” You’re probably asking yourself, “Why in the world would a mother encourage lying, especially to her own son?” I asked myself that same question, only for a nanosecond mind you, when I figured out that it was working in my very best interest. Now I did not make a habit of “lying” but these little fibs, these little truth “stretchers” (as I prefer to think of them) were sometimes for the benefit of myself, my kids, or even Gregger himself. The best of those “little white lies:”

1. “Something new” This old thing..it’s been hanging in my closet for at least a year.

2. “Nope…didn’t buy a thing…we just window shopped.” Please don’t look in the trunk of my car!

3. “They were on sale for soooo cheap!” These shoes were so expensive, he’ll never, ever find out what they REALLY cost!

4. “I have no idea how that dent got there!” Oops…

5. “If you say that striped shirt goes with that plaid jacket, I say why not?” I did that more times than not because I figured that was his talent..what did I know anyway!

6. “The kids really NEEDED it for school, sports, or dance.” Translated…they begged, I gave in, and, no, they just WANTED it and knew I was the sucker!

The little white lie I’ll hold onto forever…Greg’s fedora. I remember the night he walked in with that straw hat atop his bald head, and I was truly speechless. He was beaming with pride and I just couldn’t swipe that smile away with a smug remark…I just hugged him and said, ” You are simple adorable!” Well, that was his Hawaii hat…the hat he wore with pride every night on our fated trip…the hat he was wearing our last night together…I loved that hat then, and I love that hat even more now.

My best “little white lie” left me with a fedora full of memories to treasure forever.

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Sunday Funday - A True Love Fairytale

Sunday Funday

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 I have a love-hate relationship with Sundays…it used to be my favorite day of the week. It was “our” day together. I would sleep in a little bit (lucky to push past the 7 am mark) and awake to an already sweaty Gregger sitting at the kitchen table reading the Sunday paper. The coupon pages had been separated into piles across my kitchen counter…why he believed I was still cutting coupons, I have no idea! Sometimes I would cut them and give them to him just to make him happy. He got so excited with a Crest or Tide coupon…save a buck and he smiled! My coffee cup was neatly set out on a paper towel, spoon by its side, equal packets and my sugar free syrups all ready to pour…who couldn’t love a guy who did that every Sunday morning! Actually he did that every morning, but there was something about Sundays that made it extra special. We would sit at the table for an hour or so – he would read EVERY page of the Arizona Republic (who does that anymore?) while I read emails, checked out Facebook, and he would catch me up on pertinent news. Then it was onto bills…he’d pay them, I’d watch. Good thing I paid attention in the later years…don’t know what I would be doing right now if I hadn’t. As much as I begged him to sit for a moment or two, he never could until all the chores were done, so off he went to “pick up the poop” in the yard, sweep the patio and front step, and wash down the cool deck. Even on those Sundays when I said there was rain on the horizon and it was such a waste of his time, he insisted…a man of rituals.

We loved our Sunday walks..sometimes it was a hike at Pinnacle Peak, other times it was just a simple walk by Starbucks. We would walk and talk, sunshine beaming down on us and catch up on the week…talk about the kids…talk about life. We’d talk about our dreams, the future, even stupid, inane crap. Sometimes he’d spend it on the phone with his sister or one of our kids, but I didn’t care…we were together. We always ended at Starbucks for “our coffee time.” Maybe 5 minutes, maybe 30, but we still did it..routine. Our Sunday-Funday. Target, Costco, Home Depot…we hit all the fun spots on SDSC_0659unday-Funday…and by the end of the day we were pooped. To most people it sounds rather boring…but we loved our Sunday Fundays…we couldn’t wait until 6:00 when we toasted each other to another happy week together and another happy week ahead. Life was good.

I miss my coffee cup waiting for me. I miss my walking partner. I miss Gregger’s smiling face sitting across from me at Starbucks. I miss having someone to “cheers” me on Sundays at 6:00 to a great week ahead.  But, most of all, I just miss Sunday Funday. I still drink my coffee. I still walk. I still go to Starbucks. But it will just never be the same. I will make a new Sunday Funday one day…just not yet.

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For better or worse - A true Love Fairytale

For Better or Worse

imageBeing laid up with a bum foot takes me back to the earliest days of our marriage..I lie here reminiscing of all the “better or worse” moments that Gregger endured due to his vows of “in sickness and health.” One month into our wedded bliss when my wisdom teeth when south, he was asking my parents for a 30 day return policy – my dad’s response…”She’s all yours!” The good news for me (falling fast and hard) was that Greg never saw what hit him…within a year, this 21-year old gem was falling apart. I had my wisdom teeth pulled, multiple sinus surgeries, and had contracted major migraines – lucky me, lucky him. We weathered those rocky roads, but I think (no, I KNOW) there were times he wish he had a money back guarantee. The best of our years were often rocked with my health issues and it didn’t make life easy. To be honest, I don’t know how he put up with me half the time…

Life presents so many challenges but health issues are a whole new ballgame. It’s like being thrown a curveball in the middle of a no-hitter…suddenly you know you have to completely change up your game. You put on the mitt, you catch what you can, but you drop a lot of balls along the way. In forty years we were thrown plenty of curveballs…we were both the WORST patients! We loved being the caretakers, but sucked when we were on the other side! That certainly takes its toll, but, like all the bumps, hills, and mountains we climbed, we made it through those too. I think at the end of the day we realize the worst of times always makes the “best” seem that much better…it leads to gratitude, blessings, and a true appreciation for the gift of love and life. If Gregger were here now, he’d be bugging me about elevating my foot, staying off of it, carrying over all the dishes, and doing everything for me…I would argue with him that I could do it myself and not to baby me. UGH! Oh how I wish I could utter those words…isn’t it true we always want what we can’t have? I can certainly attest to that now, but I will forever remain grateful “for better and worse.”

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A Silly Love Song - A True Live Fairytale

Just a Silly Love Song

“You’d Think That People Would Have Had Enough Of Silly Love Songs.
But I Look Around Me And I See It Isn’t So.
Some People Wanna Fill The World With Silly Love Songs.
And What’s Wrong With That?

So I remember all the way back to junior high when I would belt out love songs in the privacy of my room. My sister would tell my to “shut up” as I sang “See You in September” over and over again, while pining for one boy or crying over another who had recently broken my heart. Love songs come in all shapes and sizes…there’s slow and sensual for falling in love; a little more upbeat when you’re in love; and then totally melancholy mellow when heartbreak hits. Whatever your love song, it’s intensely personal and speaks to “your heart.” We had so many…Carole King’s whole Tapestry album (the first I ever bought the Gregger); the cheesy Carpenters “We’ve Only Just Begun” (our first dance…ouch, a bit embarrassing!), and, fast forward 38 years to John Legend’s “All of Me” –  that gets me in my gut everytime. I would sing it out at the top of my lungs…he would laugh, but it would be ours “cause all of me loves all of you.”

Nowadays when those songs speak to my heart they spark so many memories..the tears stream down my face as I sing the words driving in my car, sitting at Starbucks, walking alone on a beautiful day, or winding down a workout. The words evoke a multitude of flowing memories…holding hands in the car, singing together, dancing in our kitchen,  or just a silent private moment. Whatever it may be, it is bittersweet…I love those silly songs…I love the words, the melodies, and the memories. Call me a sap but Bublé, Barbra, Barry or Beyoncé can bring out the best of mush in me any day and tears or not, I’ll keep on singing.  And as I listen I can also dream…Hey Gregger…they’re playing our song!

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What’s your silly little love song?

I love you hearts - A True Love Fairytale

I love you Everyday Not Just on Valentine’s Day…

Valentine’s Day is approaching..a day of romance, love, flowers, candy and so much more. It’s a day to remind us to “love” the one we are with, but Greg and I used to call it the “Hallmark holiday.” I was never a big Valentine girl…I don’t know if that went back to something in my childhood or what, but the holiday just never meant much to me. Don’t get me wrong…I LOVED ROMANCE and I LOVED BEING ROMANCED by Greg, but I certainly didn’t need a specific day on the calendar to tell me to say “Hey, it’s the day for the LOVE!” We used to laugh about it and say we should have Valentine’s Day every day…why should there be a holiday just to remind us to love each other? But…this year is different…WOW! I would give anything to have those beautiful roses he sent me every year show up on my doorstep…I would cherish the moment when I woke up in the morning all sleepy eyed and he said, “Happy Valentine’s beautiful.” I would love to have one more Valentine’s dinner together…he’d probably have nachos and a beer (or Jamesons) and I’d have some boring veggies. Who cared? The whole point was that we were together…we’d watch one of our TV shows, cuddle into bed by 9:30 and call it a night.. but we were still each other Valentines and that was good enough for the two of us. So whatever you choose to do this Valentine’s Day….cherish the moment and love the one you’re with.image

People Come Into Our Loves for a Reason - A True Love Fairytale

People Come Into Our Lives For A Reason…

“I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives
For a reason…bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow – if we let them…
And we help them in return.
Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true…
But I know I’m who I am today because I knew you…”

Fate brought us together and God took us apart, but in forty years we learned so much from each other..from 20 year old kids to 60 year old “youngsters” we changed in a multitude of ways…from Greg’s bushy hair and mustache to my ever changing hair styles, we matured, learned to love in so many different ways, and learned to be the very best of friends. We lived a life of celebrations, challenges, joy, and hardships. We lived through happy times, sad times, angry times, and pure frustration. But through it all, we learned and grew…we grew to be better people…and I know I became a better person because he showed me the way.

The best Lessons I learned:
1. Be Kind…it gets you everywhere…whether speaking to a stranger or your very best friend, kindness is the only way.
2. Be humble…no one cares what you have, what you drive, or what you are wearing…
3. Pay attention…I’m learning that now with all the things I didn’t pay attention to and should have…my bad!
4. Find your passion and follow it – it will always bring joy into your life.
5. Forgive and let go – life is too short to hold on to things you may regret.
6. Love means having to say your sorry and mean it.
7. Live for today…tomorrow may be too late.

“It well may be that we may never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me is made of what I learned from you
You’ll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine by being my friend…”

A true love fairytale

They say we’re too young to love but maybe they’re too old to remember

There’s something to be said about “young love” but if you asked our parents way back when they would have имплантации told cheap jerseys you, “It’ll never last.” I don’t cheap mlb jerseys think too many people would want have bet the bank on our marriage. We met when we were wholesale mlb jerseys barely 20 years old, moved in together (without our parent’s knowledge) and were married by the time we were 21. life We fell Every in love hard and fast…it was the kind of touchy-feely, can’t keep our hands off each other love. We were together 24/7. We went to school together, studied together, ate together, socialized together..we From were fórmula literally glued at the hip. Ownership I threw a major “hissy fit” one night when Greg went out with one of his fraternity brothers to celebrate our engagement Read more […]

Wedding Love - A True Love Fairytale

I want a marriage more beautiful than my wedding

So anyone wholesale nfl jerseys can have arrivals a beautiful wedding…the dress, the wholesale mlb jerseys flowers, the food, the band…all the extravagances money can buy, but, if in dolor the end, the marriage isn’t beautiful, what does middle any of that really matter? I had a really my pretty wedding for “back in the day” but the most cheap nba jerseys beautiful part of it all is that Greg and I still talked about it 39 years later. That to me life is what really made it beautiful! We created our foundation…we had a place we could always go cheap jerseys back to when the и going got tough. It didn’t really matter what kind of flowers we had, what designer dress I wore (I actually borrowed one), cheap nba jerseys or what kind of food we served…what mattered was that we really committed to one another that Read more […]

Love Story - A True Love Fairytale

Every Love story is beautiful, but ours is my favorite

So we had the “once upon a time” and were headed for the “happily ever after” until the fated day of August 30th, 2014. We had been together for over 40 years, the heading (Kontrol to celebrate our 39th wedding Jak anniversary. We had decided cheap jerseys on our 40th we were going to renew our vows, maybe in Hawaii, maybe at the Park Hyatt Aviara where our daughter and son-in-law had been married in May, 2013 on cheap jerseys one of the most memorable days of our lives. But, Sun more importantly, we had vowed to be together for 75 years..his parents were married well over 50, my parents are still going strong over 53, and my grandparents were à just shy of their 75th when my grandfather cheap MLB jerseys died. We knew we could do it…had the love, the friendship, Read more […]

A True Love Fairytale by Mikki Eveloff

Once in a while right in the middle of an ordinary life Love gives us a Fairytale

My DE happily ever after became once upon a time…it began in 1974 when a sudden turn of fate brought me back to Arizona cheap jerseys State University, much to my parents chagrin. After two years of switching cheap jerseys universities (from University of Arizona to University of Missouri-St. Louis) and majors, I had finally Monitoreo settled on a wonderful career as an occupational therapist and had been accepted into the program at Washington University, a renowned school. My deposits were in, I had a job to Kalvertoren fill my lonely hours, and plans were set. Growing cheap nfl jerseys up cheap jerseys China in St. Louis, that’s pretty much the way things went…once you made a plan, you stuck to it…no stepping out of the 2017 “box!” Well…not so much for this St. Louis girl. I Read more […]