Susan Briggs, RIP

Susan Briggs was born in Fort Worth, Texas.  At age 10, after suffering from a kidney infection that spread to her pancreas, Susan was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. Her youth consisted of her being in and out of the hospital, while her summers she enjoyed at Camp Sweeney, Lake Texoma, a youth camp for Juvenile Diabetics. Her Diabetes spawned her interest in the human body. With the encouragement of loved ones, especially her Grandma Mathis, an LVN, Susan went on to get her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing, from University of Texas, Arlington. She Graduated December 16, 1978.

When Susan was 17, she and James Zeig eloped to get married on April 25, 1969, while Susan was still a senior in High School. They had dated for 6 years prior.

Due to her diabetes, Susan was warned by doctors that she would be putting her life in danger by having children, but Susan had always wanted a family. Even after having children she surpassed her life expectancy by 18 years.

Susan began her nursing career in 1979, as a pediatric intensive care nurse at Cooks Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth.

James and Susan's 18 year marriage ended in divorce in 1988.

In 1990 Susan excelled her career by being one of the first in the U.S. to become a Certified Hopsice Nurse.

In 1995 she was in charge of opening Baylor Hospital Downtown Ft. Worth's Vitas Hospice unit.

In 1993, she had received a kidney transplant, which her body accepted well.

In 1997 she lost her eyesight and was forced to retire.

After her death, in 1999, the Baylor Hospital Downtown Fort Worth Vitas unit designated the largest suite in memory of Susan A. Briggs.

Susan is remembered for her loving nature, intelligence, humor, and above all her lively spirit.

Road Kill???

Yesterday morning I had the unusual task of going to downtown Dallas, where I found myself taking 30 minutes to park my 1/2 ton four-door truck in a parking garage in to a space visibly made for a VW Beetle. To top that, I then sat in a conference room with three attorneys and a court reporter for 2 hours. After the meeting, as I was finding the quickest path west, I received a call from our office, stating the crew in south Texas would be staying an extra day due to materials needed that had to be taken to them the following afternoon. Me being the opportunist I am, and needing a break after my great morning, I volunteered to get the materials and deliver that evening, in order for them to finish the job on schedule. My friend and I left at 3:30 pm down US-281  headed south of San Antonio to the great unknown.

After meeting up with the guys and grabbing a quick burger for dinner, about 9 pm we turned back north for home.  At this time of the day the beautiful scenery we admired on the way there was a bit different, not only because it was dark, but we realized the full moon assisted all the wildlife in there travels too. I feel confident in saying, I'm sure the nine people who left their trophies on US-281, in Northern Coryell County, are happy to know that Evant's  mascot (The Elks) did not derive based on the wildlife in that area. 

Which brings me to my question. Hypothetically speaking if one hits a deer or witnesses another vehicle hit a deer, which ultimately causes the wildlife's demise, is it illegal for one to take the game to have it processed? If not does this require a hunting license? 

This could be the start of a new season in Texas...
September 1st - Auto 
October 1st - Bow
November 1st - Rifle

Maybe the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department should update the book.

PROUD PARENT...

I figured I would end this week on a quite note...Wednesday night I received a call from my daughter, who is a way at college. She was asking my opinion about taking a different job and leaving the position at a daycare she is working at. After we discussed the pros and cons of school being priority and the children / parent drama at the daycare, she applied for the other job on line. Once we hung up it hit me though, this young woman is really doing a great job being on her own four hours away, and truly is as responsible as a 19 year old can be. This is a remarkable feeling for a parent, who at one time questioned her path in life.

This is the child that really disliked school when she was younger. As most children do she would lie about the daily lessons or homework, not prepare for tests, and even went as far (as a fifth grader) to forge my signature on notices from teachers. Now this young lady is studying to be a teacher! 

You see, this blog is based on my experiences and I must say this person in my life has brought me so many enjoyable ones. She has developed in to a beautiful, smart, witty, loving, funny young lady, who I enjoy and love dearly.

SURE DO LOVE YOU ERIN!!!

Car Problems, ARGGG!!!

Three weeks ago my husband put his welding truck back to use, in south Texas, after it was parked for 6 months. He took time off work to come home, put 6 new tires on it, placed the welder back on the bed, and rigged it out with tools and equipment. See he has two vehicles one is his welding truck the other is one he drives for work and pleasure. Working in south Texas, he is required to drive off road quite a bit and that takes its toll on any vehicle. Last week he found out the harmonic balancer had to be replaced, so he built a tow bar so he could tow the welding truck with his other dully until he could bring it back to the metroplex to have it repaired this weekend.

Well, yesterday morning my husband call asking for an auto glass repair company, I named one that we have used before, and then I asked why.  In the midst of off roading yesterday in with the welding truck in tow, he busted out a window in the welding truck. Then he informed me that the expense for repairs, THIS WEEK, will be around $1,000. Hum.

After work he called to chat about his day as he was headed back to his trailer like he does every day. Within 2 minutes of our conversation he yells out “OH SH**! OH SH**!” and I hear a loud rumble over the phone, immediately followed by “I’LL CALL YOU BACK!”

I’m sorry, but I am not one who likes the suspense of a loved one calling me back when the conversation drops so abruptly without any indication of what happened. So what do I do? Waited 2 minutes and called him back, just to have him answer the phone saying   “I’LL CALL YOU BACK!”  Sixteen long minutes later he did. Come to find out the right front tire of the welding truck he was towing broke off, which caused the truck he was driving to start turning sideways on the highway.  The tow bar finally gave in and the welding truck veered off the highway and was stopped by a tree. Needless to say the car riding his bumper backed off, as well as the oncoming traffic swerved to the opposite side of the road. Yes the truck was totaled, and the only injury was the jack rabbit that never saw the rig coming.  Good news is we do not have to spend the $1,000, for repairs this week, but now I have to budget for a new truck payment, Gees!!!

Say Cheese!

I believe childhood is what molds a person. If you stop and think about it, a child is taught, by guidance, what is acceptable in society, and will carry those lessons threw out his or her life. Fortunate for me I was born into a normal poverty stricken hard working family. Both of my parents strived to provide for me and my brother, Chris, with the intentions of giving us more than they had as children. They did a wonderful job, for I can not remember a time when we didn't have something to set on the table at dinner time, nor did Santa ever let us down on Christmas morning. My parents are very strong-willed, open minded individuals, who unselfishly cared for thier two children, while teaching us respect, morals, ethics, and love.

I hope you understand that I not only have to say how wonderful my parents are because it's true, but also because I know at times they have wondered why they didn't stop after the first child. Yes, I am the younger of the two, and have proven to be the more active, mischievous, and inquisitive during our childhood.

To my mother's dismay, I was the typical "Tom Boy" who enjoyed frogs, animals, and boyish activities. This trend began at age three, when I thought I had to prove myself to the other boys at the nursery. One particular boy and I made a habit of arguing every day. Once I went as far as to hit him. He went home crying that day, but he must have had some outside coaching that night, for the next morning he came back to the nursery to finish what I started the day before. After our usual name calling exercises he locked his jaws on my right cheek. Two months later my cheek was still discolored. I have determined that young boy really wanted to make an impression on me because today, 36 years later, I have a large dimple replacing his teethmarks. 

DOG GONE IT!!!

As a child I was fairly active; however, my age group did not have the medications to slow us down, only switches that we were lucky enough to pick ourselves. So when my son was diagnosed with ADHD I told myself, the doctors, and my family that I could teach him self control without medication. Honestly he did a good job learning as long as he was in my presence.

In other people’s care he had problems. It was during his Uncle Pete’s watch that he drove the car through the carport at age 4, missing the support beam by 5”. With in the second month of pre-kindergarten he was rocking the classroom so much I was politely requested to home school him. The last straw was at age 6, when he was “helping” his father wire in a metal barn, and unbeknown to his father, climbed up the outside of the 15’ tall metal barn, using the octagon screw heads, up to the roof. With in the week I had him back in the doctor’s office getting a prescription!

Giving my history with hyper activity, of course I was up for the challenge when my friend Billy came to me in April, giving me a Jack Russell Terrier, Buford. I brought Buford home and immediately he fit in to our family, and even better, he bonded with our 6 year old blue healer, Oscar. Within a few months Buford had learned his new home and some of the “Laws of the land”, such as no chasing cows or horses because it hurts when they kick,  eating out of Oscar’s food dish causes Oscar to show rather large teeth, and that there is a consequence to using humans as a chew toy.

Unfortunately, his self control fled as well when he heard other dogs across the highway barking at night, and at a pace of 0-90 in 2.4 seconds that was one lesson he could not learn from.

RIP Buford, you brought us laughter and joy for a short time, but one that will not be forgotten.

Never let tomorrow's sun rise on yesterday's problems...

Have you ever had one of those days that you just can’t stand the human race? Mine was yesterday. I have so many projects that I’ll start and believe I have to finish as soon as I start (ex. Painting my daughter’s bedroom), and once I start something I think that “MY” project is just as important to others as it is me…BOY WAS I WRONG! Hence, my human hater attitude.

While having all that time alone doing this particular project, listening to my IPod (country music), my mind just started racing in places it shouldn’t have. Yesterday I was able to sum men up in a nut shell. At the time it amazed me to think how a man woos a woman, lures her into a relationship and then the helpful, compassionate, confidant man she fell in love with abandons her. All the while, he still has bragging rights of the wife, the home, and the security. Kind of like owning a dog, except the wife can do the “Mama” chores, and doesn’t require feeding and watering. Then (being provoked by the country music) the man just whines and cry’s about how wrong he was done by his woman when she takes everything (even the dog!). Then the kids came in to the picture, but I’ll leave that summarization for another day.

By the time I finished painting yesterday, I was so upset all I wanted was an adult beverage. Which I’m glad I had one, because I finally relaxed and laughed at my craziness, and realized I worked myself up over painting a room (REALLY?), and directed my anger to the one friend that always had my back, that I could talk to about anything, who I truly love and would do anything for.

Now to let you know, today is mine and my husband’s anniversary, and even though we have had our trials and tribulations, I am totally amazed by God’s grace giving us the strength to survive the I love you’s, the f you’s, the children, the laughter, and the tears.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Turner