Merry Christmas 2019, "Based on a true story"

I love the movies.  Like for real.  I love everything about the movies.  
I like the dark.  
I like that it’s never hot in the theater.  
I like the big screen.  
I LOVE the smell of popcorn.  
I like the previews.  
I like that I can always hear because the sound is up so loud.  
I like that everyone is supposed to be quiet and not on their phones yet there is no need to make small talk.  
I just really like it.  

Now, if any movie has my five favorite  movie words in the title, it’s even better!  So, what are those words you ask?  Well of course those words are:  “Based on a true story.”  I LOVE anything that begins with "based on a true story!"  “Rudy.”  “Hoosiers.”  “Apollo 13.”  “Captain Phillips.”  “Temple Grandin.” I could go on and on and on and I'm not even thinking very hard to come up with those! There’s just something about  being a silent witness to representational real life experiences that are captured on video and that tell a "real-life" story that gets me every time.  And I mean, EVERY TIME.  I'll watch practically anything that is "based on a true story." 

Often I feel that there are some pieces of my life that I am either living or at least witnessing that would make the perfect “based on a true story” book or movie.  I joke a lot that I'm going to write about them all someday but so far its still on the "to-do" list. Right now I'm out busy living them.

The following are some “true story” snippets from the Hendler Family 2019 Follies........sit back and relax.

Shortly after having back surgery last December James was back in the hospital with his 21st kidney stone.  (Yea, you read that right--I've made inquiries over at Guinness) He now has me juicing 25 lemons every 10 days because he truly believes that drinking fresh straight lemon juice EVERY DAY is “curing him.”  Like for real. (Based on a true story)

 

I had “fun” this year while pushing the limits of my health care benefits by having my gall bladder out followed later by a hysterectomy.  I actually don’t mind surgery.  I enjoy the “nap” and the “lay around in bed with mind numbing pain killers" part that  follows.  Its kinda like a vacation.  (Based on a true story)Wait until "America's Next Top Models" gets a hold of this audition pic!  Try not to be jealous.

I still travel a lot.  This year, I was using the restroom in an airport when something furry brushed up against my legs.  After screaming I snapped a pic.  I can’t make this stuff up folks. (Based on a true story)

I’m still a terrible fly-er.  I do it but I hate it.  I was traveling somewhere rural on business and the airport was literally “under construction” which to a hysterical fly-er does not help curb the already irrational anxiety.  I took the shuttle from the hotel to the airport with the pilot and co-pilot.  I don't recommend ride sharing with these people if you have a fear of flying. Because I barely participate in small talk during regular day time hours I am especially loathe in doing so when only partially awake at zero-dark-thirty in the morning.  This caused me to have to listen to them talk shop which consisted of  WAY MORE TERRIFYING airplane particulars than I needed to know. I mean I'm stuck now because I cannot UN-hear something right?! We had to stand on a tape line prior to boarding (What's that all about?!--no wait, don't tell me!) and then walk up the step-ladder-thing out in the dark.  The hand soap on the plane said it all.  Later, on another trip I was waiting to board a plane when the severe weather message in the pic below flashed across all of the video monitors...again, I cannot make this stuff up.  (Based on a true story).

During my many travels I had the privilege of witnessing some breath taking scenery this year.  I try not to take it for granted. (Based on a true story).

The boys are steadily making it through their sophomore years of high school and college.  I still collect "first day of school" pictures.  I plan to do this straight through their first day at work, first day in their apartment, first day in their new home, etc until they create some grandchildren for me to focus on. (Based on a true story in the making)

Adam, our 15-year-old who often questions himself in every humanly way possible spent some time this year running track, taking some acting and modeling classes and generally seeking out love every time he said his "love meter" was low.  He also got his driving permit and none of us have been injured yet --I'm almost afraid to type that....(Based on a true story)

Adam quit football in lieu of cross country this year.  He made it to one meet and then got a stress fracture, because well ya know, its Adam. (Based on a true story).

We had fun celebrating James’ 50^th birthday in Florida with all four of my parents and my sister(s) and brother in law(s).  The man who could not walk in July of 2018 made it to 50-years-old the following March.  (Based on a true story)

While in Florida a lizard ran across our bed at midnight and crawled up the wall in front of me.  My screaming woke James up so to problem solve and STOP my histrionics  he went out and got the long-handled pool skimmer.  Once he brought it into the bedroom he decided he couldn’t reach the lizard and was too tired anyway and WENT BACK TO BED causing me to lay awake all night quietly whimpering and staring at the thing in case, you know, it moved.  My sister Stacey and her husband were there.  If you see them, ask them about the story.  They may still be laughing at all the commotion they heard from the next room that night.  (Based on a true story)

We had fun watching dolphins on that trip and charter fishing in the bay with my dad and Ginny.  James was one fish short of catching the "inshore grand slam of fish."  Curious about what that means?  Feel free to text and ask him.  (Based on a true story)

Alex celebrated his 19^th birthday in Florida while on spring break from Missouri S & T in Rolla.  He had fun with his roommate Joey and the grandparents spoiling him.

While in Florida we played some mini golf at a course with the world's longest mini golf hole. (Based on a true story)

I spent a lot of time presenting this year.  If my numbers are correct I think I presented over 10 hours give or take. I'm looking forward to taking next year "off." (Based on a true story).

Looking back, I was so blessed to be able to spend time with so many good friends this year. (Based on a true story)

Some of my graduate students participated in the annual MSHA “Quest for the Cup” against 8 other graduate schools  and brought home the trophy for the 3^rd time.  (Based on a true story)

We still have three dogs.  Between the three of them, one is deaf, one is going blind and one has trouble walking and controlling her bladder.  We enjoy running the dog SNF (Based on a true story)

Alex flew out to California to hang with a few friends after spring semester of his freshman year.  While there, he got to catch a San Jose/Blues game and he did not get kicked out after cheering loudly every time the Blues scored.  According to him though, it was "dicey."  (Based on a true story)

Speaking of the Blues, in case you haven’t heard, they actually won the Stanley Cup for the first time in history.  That has been a  very BIG deal in our home. (Based on a true story) If someone out in Hollywood doesn't write that story before I'm dead  I guess I'll have to do it because it'll make an EXCELLENT "based on a true story" movie.  (What with them winning the whole thing after being dead last in January, fighting multiple player injuries and using a rookie goalie and all). (Based on a true story).

I've been saying for years (and you've seen me write) that the Brad Wallin story must be told in relation to how one little life changed a small town.  Well, it finally happened.  A movie WAS made entitled “Safe at Home” and we had the privilege of screening it this year at my tiny home “town” theater.  (Totally based on a true story).  The funny thing is, I still don’t feel like its quite enough.  The REST of the story needs to be told and I frequently write to "Ellen" hoping she can help.  No really, I’m serious.  (Based on a true story) If I retire before it happens I will make it my mission to complete and self-publish the story (you know between Disney trips).  There's so much more there that needs telling.

My sister Molly and I spent some time with family celebrating our birthdays and they put our names on the menu.  (Based on a true story).

The boys spent some time in Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and Orlando with their cousins. (Based on a true story)

We spent a few days in Vancouver before taking an amazing Alaskan cruise.  One year to the day that James broke his back he walked a mile around the deck of the ship.  (Based on a true story)

We zip lined the worlds tallest and longest line and lived to tell the story.  (Based on a true story)

We panned for gold, hung out with sled dog puppies and rode a train to the top of a mountain. (Based on a true story)

It's hard for us to go anywhere without Adam ending up in some kind of infirmary.  This time it was on the ship in Alaska because of some unknown “rash”  (Based on a true story)

The boys were tolerant as we visited an amazing Alaskan botanical garden. They can now take that little gem off of their bucket lists LOL (Based on a true story)

We went back to Disney and this time enjoyed it with James, his brother Jason, his brother John, his wife and their two boys.

Aunt Stacey and our friend Carolyn got to visit with Alex at Rolla this year. (Based on a true story)

My brother in law was recently diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm.  He was seriously only in for a routine check up when they heard a “murmur.”  That appointment could be the thing that ends up saving his life.  He will have some major life changing/saving surgery in January. Why do I include it randomly here?  Well, it’s “based on a true story” and it’s a reminder for us all to get in to see the doctor!! Like for real people.  Do it now. (Consider yourself warned).

In case you're wondering what I've been thinking about over the past year I find that several "signs" that I have run across ring very true with me so rather than describe what I've been thinking and feeling I think I'll just post the pics here because they are all based on the true story of how I have felt!  (And its shorter so you're welcome).

I'm eligible to retire in February of 2020.  I like the sound of that so I'm gonna to type it again. I'm eligible to retire in February of 2020.  Will I?  Can I afford to?  No.  BUT, I'm eligible to retire in February of 2020. Just sayin...

I recently got a 2^nd job and have been doing some home health as a "side-hustle."  Our tree isn't up and I have no idea what we'll be serving for Christmas dinner.  In fact, I should be working right now instead of writing this year’s letter.  However, after having just seen "A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" and Temple Grandin (live at Truman) I was reminded that I needed to take a minute to update you all on our “based on a real story” lives.  We're all still here, we are well enough and we count our many blessings everyday.  Right now I need to get back to work (Based on a true story) so Merry Christmas to you and yours from me and mine.

 

Merry Christmas!!