Sharing Minion Humor

Post-Life Planning

Most of this post will be an edited version of an email I sent my children concerning my wishes after I am gone.  Which, if I have my way, will not be until some time after 2100, when I turn 145.  Hey, I'm in good shape and with medical advances, ya never know.  Plus if I make the arrangements myself and let everyone that cares about me know, there is no question about what to do.  Plus other folks might find what I've done, and am going to have done, interesting.

Now, when I pass:
1.  I will be cremated.  Once the ashes are back at the funeral home, take the bag out of the cardboard box it comes in and transfer them (in the bag) to my "Memory Box". (If the cardboard box fits - just put it all inside).   Mississippi law allows the burial of ashes in a cemetary.  (Mississippi Burial and Cremation Laws can be seen at http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/burial-cremation-laws-Mississippi.html .)  You are not required to purchase a coffin or urn from any commercial enterprise. (i.e. funeral home)
2.  My ashes are to be buried in the grave adjoining my 1st wife (where we already have a stone erected.  Check with the folks overseeing the graveyard to see if they have any requirements overseeing the burial of ashes.  Since (and this comes from the website above) "cremation renders ashes harmless, .... there is no public health risk involved....".  You might have to contract someone through the funeral home to dig the hole for the ashes, but since it is a small box and contains only ashes, it shouldn't need to go more than 2 or 3 feet deep.
3. Expenses: Other than the Death Certificate(s), Cremation,  engraving the stone, and (if needed to be contracted out) the burial of the "Memory Box".  There should be no more needed expenses.    I don't need all the extras offered for a by the funeral home.  They are a "commercial enterprise" and are in business to make a profit. And once the day is done, who wants to leave through the sign in book from visitation, and trust me - thank you cards are a lot less expensive at Walmart.

And speaking of visitation, instead of a visitation, since there will be no rush to bury a body.  I would rather all my family and friends gather at my house for a cookout on what would be my first birthday after I pass.  Put the "Memory Box"  (some pics of it are below) on a small table by itself so folks can read the items I put on it and share the happy times of my life.  Then, after everyone has eaten and -those that feel the need - had a cry.  Those that want to can head over to cemetery and say goodbye.
Life goes on.  Be as happy as you can.

Just Sharing - Election Wisdom

 I'm having a hard time with the candidates for President.  I don't like any of them and loathe some of them, but I will do my best to stay informed and vote.  That said, I would like to share this quote (below) from sci-fi author Robert A. Heinlein.

“If you are part of a society that votes, then do so. There may be no candidates and no measures you want to vote for ... but there are certain to be ones you want to vote against. In case of doubt, vote against. By this rule you will rarely go wrong.”
― Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love

Working in the Snow.... & Thinking!

This past week Mississippi got one of its rare snowfalls.  About 50 miles north of us here in Starkville they got accumulations of an inch or more.  Here, though it snowed all morning, nothing accumulated because it melted as it touched down.  However, as I was working my part-time job driving a shuttle (2 days a week - and I don't really want to work more since I've retired - twice) in the falling snow and thought back to the last time I had worked in the snow. 
About 40-or so years I ago I attached TAD (Temporarily Assigned Duty) to a Coast Guard Ice Breaker on a trip to Antarctica (South Pole).  Before we got to the Pole and the scientific station there it snowed, often, but I guarantee you it was much colder than Mississippi.  The air temp was in the negative 30's  with wind chills in the -80's.  Once we got closer to the pole though it wasn't snowing and though it was cold, it was very dry.  Lots of rocky islands about.  Its one of those life experiences that I'm glad I got the chance to do, but I don't really have any hankering to go there again.
I really hate to be cold.  I prefer the Mississippi heat in the summer (90 and up) to our relatively mild winters.  I know it makes me sound a little strange, but I prefer to ride in my car with the AC off and the windows down.  I do try to take care of myself, take frequent breaks, and drink lots of water when working outside, but I do want to be around for many more years.  I turn 61 in April and feel fairly young.  I think I may stop working at the end of this year.  Not a 100% sure, but I'm starting to lean that way.  I've got enough to do now, what with work around the home and hobbies, that I can stay busy.  My home is paid for and my retirement checks covers our bills. Plus, I enjoy having my time as just that, My Time. The ability to go where I want, when I want, and do what I want to do.  After all, isn't that exactly what we work a lifetime for?  I know its a long shot, but my goal is to be here at the start of the next century!  Hey - with medical advances you never know.  If I continue to take care of myself 145 is not beyond the realm of possibility.  
Everyone have a great day!

Sixty Year Snapshot

Today is the 60th anniversary of my very first New Year's Day.  So I thought I would try a little retrospective in 10 year bites.  Now, obviously, I don't remember a lot about 1/1/1956 (as I was 8 months old at the time) - but this morning I did watch (as my first movie of 2016), the 1956 sci fi classic "Earth Vs the Flying Saucers". 
1/1/1966 - I was 10 and in 5th grade.  I was heavy into comic books and cub scouts (though later this year I would move up to Boy Scouts (Troop 27 - Starkville, MS).  At this time comics were 12 cents each and most of any money I earned was spent on them. I lived on McKee Street with my parents and younger sister (born in 1957).
1/1/1976 - I was in my 4th year in the U.S. Guard and in the process of getting ready to reenlist for 6 years in order to maximize the reenlistment bonus I was qualified for.  I was stationed in Memphis and would marry for the first time later that year. (Though I didn't know it at the time.)
1/1/1986 - I was stationed on the USCG Gulf Strike Team (in Mobile, AL).  I was married to Sue and we had four children. (Ages 7, 6, 4, & 2 at this date).
1/1/1996 - I was working for Quincy's Family Steakhouse & Buffet in Starkville.  I retired from the Coast Guard in 1992 and had a 5th child that was born in 1988.  She would be the last of our children. We were living in a large home (Double wide with large addition added home) with seven bedrooms.
1/1/2006 - Sue passed away 4 weeks ago and I was devastated.  We were married over 29 years and at this time none of the children lived at home.  At the time I had 3 grandchildren.  It was dark time for me.
1/1/2016 - I still live in the large home, but now share it with DKW who I met in late 2008 (almost exactly 3 years after Sue died).  We celebrated our 6th anniversary last year and she was the big reason I came out of the dark place.  I retired from MSU last year (2nd retirement) and a month ago started a part-time job at a local medical facility. I have 8 grandchildren now - the youngest being 5 months old and the oldest 16 years old.
Now I've left a lot out that happened over the past 60 years.  Otherwise I would be writing for days - but, like most folks, there have been many highs and some lows - but all-in-all I've had - and have - a good life.  Count your blessings.  In the past month, I've lost my mother and Aunt (who passed yesterday of a sudden coronary).  You never know when it might be your time.  I'll do an entry like this again in 2066! :-)
Everyone have a great day!

Playing Catch-up!

First, I want to start with the good stuff.  On December 4th, the SHS Yellowjackets won the Mississippi 6A Football championship by defeating the Petal Panthers, 27-7.  Starkville pretty much dominated in a game played on the campus of That School Up North. A great finish to the SHS football season of my 60th year.

 

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Now - the not-so-good.  Mama passed away on December 15th (just one week ago) and the funeral was held on December 17th.  She is interred next to Daddy (Fred) and just a few steps from my grandparents (Big Daddy and Mamma Jenny Sanders - her parents (Grover /Jenny).)  And just a few more steps from Sue, my first wife. 
I've been telling everyone that asks that it is a sense of grief mixed with relief.  She was not present mentally, and the pain, while treated by hospice care, did not go on for a long period.  No more suffering.
As I said before, December is tough on DKW and I (Sue died 10 years ago, her mom last year, and now my mom this year).  I try to tell everyone, hold on to the memories of Mama at her best, and not how she was the last few months.  Even with though she was trying at times, I do have fond, loving memories, and she will be missed.
Everyone have a great (holi-)day!

Another Trying Week - Mama Not Doing Well

Hi All,

The title pretty much says it all.  That said, everyone that I needed to notify - family and friends of family - has been contacted by now.  So I feel free to post this here now.  What follows is excerpts from an email that DKW wrote to notify some friends:   (Please note I left out a lot of medical and personal details for privacy's sake.)

Hi, Folks:  Some of you are aware that Carolyn's mental and physical health has declined rapidly in the past six to seven weeks.  Dementia has not just made an appearance, but has moved in, settled down, and taken up permanent residency.  She is cognizant at times, but it is rather sporadic and sometimes it's difficult to tell if she is recognizing the world, people, and words around her.

 We are asking that no one feel any sort of pressure to visit, however if you want to do so, you certainly may.  We will be taking things one day at a time, of course, and ask that you call before you plan to come, so that we can let you know if that is a good time.  Carolyn has been sleeping lots and lots, but there are times when we are bathing and caring for her more intimate needs that would be most inconvenient to receive visitors at those times or shortly thereafter, as these activities are extremely exhausting for Carolyn.

For those of you who live out of the area and yet would like to be of assistance, please do not feel you must hasten or plan to be here for services and such.  Jerry is available in the evenings for phone calls, from 4:30p to 6:30p {except tonight, Thursday Dec 10th ~~ he is actually being Santa for the children at Emerson today, as he has for the past seven years}.  Carolyn is not really present in any sort of way, and I feel any visits at this point would not be noted by her.  So please do not feel you must come to see her.  It'd be much better if you remember her as the caring and loving person she was when you knew her. 

As far as us:  Jerry is, of course, grieving.  It hurts to see his mother so incapacitated.  However, he is strong and since her decline has been rapid, her suffering has been minimal, of that he is extremely glad.  Please understand, if he seems distracted or abrupt on the phone.

As for myself, I really am ok.  I appreciate your concern and condolences; however, at this time, I'd rather focus on Carolyn and process things more deeply at some later time.  Thank you all for your consideration and understanding, D.