* THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES *

I love old movies, particularly black and white films from the 1940s and 1950s: Comedies, dramas, & love stories. One of my all-time favorites is The Best Years of Our Lives. The first time I saw it was on TV when I was probably 12 or 13 years old.

Although I've watched it dozens of times since then, and remember every scene in the almost-three-hour-movie, the one that struck me that particular day was twenty-something Peggy talking to her parents, Al & Milly, about love, and how they were "so old" they'd forgotten what it was like to be in love....

Peggy: It's none of your business how I'm gonna do it. You've forgotten what it's like to be in love.

Al: You hear that, Milly? I'm so old and decrepit I've forgotten how it feels to want somebody desperately.

Milly: Peggy didn't mean that, did you darling?

Peggy: Oh, no. I don't know what I do mean. It's just that, everything has always been so perfect for you. You loved each other and you got married in a big church, and you had a honeymoon in the south of France. And you never had any trouble of any kind. So how can you possibly understand how it is with Fred and me?

Milly: We never had any trouble. [To Al] How many times have I told you I hated you, and believed it in my heart. How many times have you said you were sick and tired of me, that we were all washed up? How many times have we had to fall in love all over again?

~~~

At my young age at that time, I couldn't imagine how a married couple could feel like that and say such awful things, and still experience the magic of falling in love again and again, especially at their ages. (and of course, my parents' divorce didn't send this kind of message to me, either.)

My disbelief lasted for many years. Obviously during my entire, short-lived-too-young-to-get-married, first marriage. I realized at some point that I had never been in love with my first husband. I wanted someone to love me, take care of me, be a good husband and father, etc. I loved him in the beginning, but I certainly was not "in love."

Fast forward many years...The Ronald and I will celebrate our 33rd Anniversary next month. Thirty three years! I don't know how that's possible since I'm only 40 years old! Hee Hee...

I'm so proud and happy to say that it's been a very happy marriage, too. We have fun. We laugh together and make each other laugh. We like pretty much the same things. Sure, we've had disagreements and arguments, and times of real anger, and loud voicing of opinions at times. But being with him, I know and understand how it feels to be in love, and how exciting it is to fall in love all over again.

~~~

 

 

 

This will be Ron and me in about 20 years!

 

 

* ANOTHER YEAR OF WEDDED BLISS *

* This blog post consists of some previous anniversary posts! *

The Ronald and I are celebrating a wedding anniversary today: 32 Years! I don't know how this can be possible since I'm only 35 years old! J

Seriously, where have the years gone?? Sure, we've had our ups and downs over the years, but managed to always work things out, and keep loving each other. A story I wrote about our marriage is in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Love Stories (2007)

Notice the jagged edge on the left bottom? Our big, ol' puppy at that time, Rocky, decided a few of our wedding pictures were quite tasty. That little bit of information is included in a story I wrote for NYMB...On Dogs (2012)

Two more photos from that special day in 1983.

Have I mentioned The Ronald is a foot taller than I am??!! That comes in handy when I need something from the top shelf! ☺

 

"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage." ~ Martin Luther

 

"I couldn't be me, without you being you, allowing me to be me." - Becky Lewellen Povich (said to The Ronald one evening when discussing my writing)



** P.S. I forgot to mention that the two stories I referred to are also in my memoir. **

An Anniversary, More Laptop Problems, Free Books, & More

Today is a wedding anniversary for The Ronald & me: 31 Years! I don't know how this can be possible since I'm only 35 years old! J

Seriously, where have the years gone?? Sure, we've had our ups and downs over the years, but managed to always work things out, and keep loving each other. A story I wrote about our marriage is in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Love Stories (2007)

(I think he has something planned because last night he said, "We can exchange our anniversary cards later this week, ok?" And I replied, "Sure!" Good idea since I hadn't gotten anything for him yet...either!)

Notice the jagged edge on the left bottom? Our big, ol' puppy at that time, Rocky, decided a few of our wedding pictures were quite tasty. That little bit of information is included in a story I wrote for NYMB...On Dogs (2012)

~~~

 

My son, Scott, worked on my laptop for a couple of hours last night, figured out what the problem was, and fixed it...

(image from Google)

 

BUT the never-ending-saga of my computer problems continues....Late last night I began having problems sending and receiving e-mails. So, if you are expecting an e-mail from me, please don't fret. I'll get this straightened out as soon as possible.

I'd finally realized, too, I was getting down in the dumps, not because of the frigid temperatures, but because I couldn't use my laptop properly! Yes, it's a large part of my life!

No wonder I feel like this!

And I pretty much look like it, too!

~~~

* To those who are interested in winning a print copy of my memoir, either click on these words: GOODREADS GIVEWAY 

Or, go to the gadget on the right column and click on just these 2 words: giveaway details right above the Enter to win box.

I'm giving away FOUR print copies, so stop on over there! *

~~~

** Welcome to my two newest followers, B.A. Wilson & Carrie at Cottage Cozy. I hope you both will stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you so much! **

~~~

I have so much more to post, but won't do anymore here. I don't want information to get lost due to TMI. I'll just say some topics include: Melissa Goodwin, Jack Zerr, Shirley Showalter, Women's Memoirs, Under the Tiki Hut, Karen Lange, Juanita Nobles, & more!

 ~~~

And now a few humorous quotes.....

"Helpdesk: There is an icon on your computer labeled "My Computer". Double click on it.
User: What's your computer doing on mine?"

 

"See daddy ? All the keys are in alphabetical order now."

"I realized I was officially a professional writer when all my plans began with "drink coffee" and ended with "take a nap." -- Cassandra Duffy

* Nostalgic Sunday * (With Pets)

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

Lately I've been thinking about my age, (I just can't be that old!) and the wedding anniversary coming up for The Ronald and me in February. (Can it really be 30 years?!) And during all these years of marriage, we've had three dogs (not all at the same time!) who quickly became part of our family.

First, there was Rocky. (1983) We got him when he was just a pup, a mixed-breed. As I wrote in a story about him, I said he was "part Gordon Setter and part some kind of big dog."

Rocky, and my oldest son Scott, and a much younger, thinner me!

Rocky lived to be about 14 years old and I was so sad when we had to say good-bye to him. I didn't even want to think about getting another dog for at least six months,

but a month later we brought Tiger (Gal) home from the Humane Society. She was 6 months old and we fell in love with her, partly because she resembled Rocky so much.

(Tiger: January 2009)

Tiger was such a sweet companion. I worked from home most of those years and was even more attached to her than I had been to Rocky. When we had to say good-bye to her a couple of weeks before Christmas in 2010, I was devastated. I couldn't even think about getting another dog, yet I knew we would someday because our home was empty without a beloved pet. 

          On March 12, 2011 we brought home our newest family member: Vern!

Vern is a Lab Mix and is the sweetest, smartest dog. He has a real personality & we get such a kick out of him. (As you can see, I've always preferred larger mixed-breeds, bi-colors, and with long noses!) And we've always been so fortunate to have good, healthy, well behaved dogs, who lived long lives. We adopted Vern from the Humane Society when he was almost 10 years old, and we obviously hope he has many more good years ahead. 

“You can say any fool thing to a dog and the dog will just give you this look that says, 'My GOSH, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!” -- Dave Barry 

“Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” -- Dean Koontz, False Memory

* Nostalgic Sundays *

Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

Today's Nostalgic Sunday is about my wedding anniversary which was yesterday, the 11th. Below are two photos from that special day in 1983.

Have I mentioned The Ronald is a foot taller than I am??!! That comes in handy when I need something from the top shelf! ☺

Welcome to my newest follower, Chris I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see. Thank you!

"There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion, or company than a good marriage." ~ Martin Luther



Thursday Night Update

Don't forget my Give-Away ends tomorrow night at 8:00 pm, CST. If you haven't already left a comment on Monday's post, please go check it out.

 * It is now 8:15pm Friday night. I just did Random.org for my give-away, and the winner is........Clarissa Draper!! Congratulations! I'll e-mail you to get your mailing address. Thanks to all who entered!



This Saturday, the 11th, is my wedding anniversary. The Ronald and I will be celebrating 29 YEARS of wedded bliss! Where HAS the time gone? A story I wrote about our happy marriage was accepted and published in "Chicken Soup for the Soul; Love Stories" (2007). The title of it is "Through the Years."

This coming Sunday I plan on having another Nostalgic Sunday post. Last week I didn't get one ready because of the Super Bowl. ☺
 

Two announcements concerning writing:

1) If anyone would like to receive a card or letter from me, just send your mailing address to me via e-mail. I'm having a wonderful time participating in the Month of Letters!

2) This afternoon, in just a short period of time, I wrote over 1,000 WORDS in my memoir! THAT is something to cheer about for me. I usually struggle with just a few words, so today was monumental. I hope I'll keep on going.....

(all courtesy of Clip Art)

* One last thing. I plan to begin replying to your comments by e-mail. That way it's not necessary to check back here to see what's been said. That should save a little time for all of us....and I think we're always looking for ways to do that! *

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” -- Joseph Campbell 

Love, Friendships & Inspirations

I'm not ignoring the fact that today was/is Valentine's Day, but since the 11th is our wedding anniversary, The Ronald and I always celebrate the two Love Events at the same time. We don't give each other gifts anymore, either, because after all.....we ARE each other's gifts!

A big Welcome and Thank You to my newest follower: Zev! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you continue to like what you read and see here.

I've been trying to remember which blog friend's book I was planning on buying next....Does anyone remember if I even mentioned it? I may have to change my plans and buy one every other month or so. I still have such a huge stack of books in my To Be Read pile, I feel as if I should tackle a few of them. I've got two in mind, in particular, that I really want to start, and they're both on my night stand. Hmmm, which one will win out?

Wonderful friend, Tammy, presented this awesome "You Inspire Me" award last month and I kept forgetting to post it...until just now. Thank you so much, Tammy. You inspire Me constantly. Below is what Tammy said about me on her blog:

"And finally, to Becky, great friend and writer, who inspires me as both...even though my stupid computer won't even show me most of her blog page. SIGH...."

Thanks again, Tam. And I hope sometime soon you'll get rid of the gremlins in your computer!

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with friendship." -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

An Anniversary: Through the Years

28 years ago today, The Ronald and I were married.

We have the kind of marriage that I dreamed about when I was young. A loving, kind, appreciative husband. One who thinks I'm a talented writer. One who laughs at my jokes, and at my crazy singing and dancing. One who listens (when I tell him "I need your attention. This is really important!") One who holds me when I'm sad and need comforting. One who is darn near perfect....

(a story I wrote about our relationship, "Through the Years" is included in this Chicken Soup for the Soul anthology. Published in December 2007. Page 94)

"We don't need to win the lottery, because when he and I chose each other, that's when we hit the jackpot." -- Becky Povich