Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Long ago...

I hope some of you remember the late 60’s and early 70’s. It makes me sound not so bad if you can really remember what it was like (I am sure Grace would remember, she was probably in the process of being potty trained at the time LOL!). Back then hippies were all the rage and the troubles of the world were blamed on them and their drug use. Not much was said about we fully grown women who took prescription drugs as if it were candy.

In the years right before Tom I was party girl! I was young, single and sleeping around had recently become acceptable. I wanted to party day and night! It was fairly easy at the time – just a quick trip to the doctor , explain that you are feeling run down and need some energy. Suddenly you have pep pills buy the fist full! Doctors seemed so trusting back then.

Of course when you were pepped up that high coming down enough to sleep was nearly impossible. Easily remedied however, just go to a different doctor and tell him about your sleeping problems and presto – a bottle full of sleeping pills. And you know me; if one was good two had to be better. If you have seen or read The Valley of the Dolls you get the picture.

I had been on this particular roller coaster for about 6 or 7 months when Tom came into my life. He didn’t know I was taking pills when we got married. I wasn’t really trying to hide it. All I was doing was taking what the doctor (or doctors) had prescribed. But I suppose that I knew on some level he wouldn’t like it because I did not take them in front of him. And truly I took less once we were married. Our routine was more structured. We did party but we were home more and I could sleep with Tom there.

I hid my minor use for several more months until Tom was finishing upon one of his big projects. He was gone so much. I just couldn’t sleep with out him so I began using more sleeping pills. One morning, after working all night, Tom came home and couldn’t really wake me. I had gotten up during the night and when he wasn’t home I took a few more pills to get back to sleep. I was mumbling something to him but wasn’t really awake and I had left the pills out so Tom didn’t have any trouble realizing what I had done.

An ice cold shower and a pot of coffee later we talked. He wanted to know what was going on and how long it had been going on. I was honest with him because I really saw nothing wrong with what I was doing. Tom had different views.

He got me in to see his doctor that afternoon, who – surprise, surprise – agreed with Tom. He said I was young and healthy and I had no business using stimulants or depressants. Let me tell you cold turkey is not my friend but that is what happened. There was no spanking at that time, just help and encouragement. But about 6 weeks later, when Tom was on an extended trip, I had wandered the house alone at the wee hours too long. When a friend offered me a little help I eagerly accepted.

It was about 3 days after he got home when he found my hidden stash – 5 lousy capsules! Let me tell you that man flat wore me out and I don’t mean maybe! I think even the ivory brush was red when he finished. Laws were laid down that day that put the strictest guidelines on medications I could and could not take. That was as upset as I had see Tom up to that point and I didn’t care to test how serious he was about my pill taking.

At least I didn’t care to test it for a long time. But years later as Tom’s career really took off everyone wanted his time and attention. At that time an old friend with bad habits and extra prescriptions came back into my life, more about that soon.

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Questions and Answers


I want everyone to know that I love receiving emails! I get such delightful ones. Many ask questions and I find that so flattering that people want to know about Tom and me. I think this is always the way I thought it would be to have grandchildren, someone who actually wanted to know about us. Of course some of the questions asked are not what one would usually expect to be asked in a conversation with grandma – but this is a unique situation and group!

Often the questions trigger memories and stories I could to tell that I would have never thought about. I am working on one now. But I still write slowly so please be patient.

The girls and I are planning a trip for June (without the fellows) we are planning it but I haven’t asked Tom yet. I think he will say yes. We have gone on a girl’s trip most years for the last 8 or so but Tom never likes it and occasionally he will say no. But I have been an angel lately (mostly because I have been too tired to think of trouble) so cross your fingers for me.

I am still writing so you all please keep emailing. casscat6575@yahoo.com

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Still around

I just wanted everyone to know I am still alive and kicking! Tomorrow is officially my last day at work. I will probably go on in each day to help out but my responsibilities will be over!! I miss blogging and getting to visit with everyone so I hope to be around here a bit more in the near future. I just hope you will still come around.

I am working on an old story. One of my friends asked me a question in an email and I think I will just write a post to answer it. But it always seem to take me a while to get anything written so I wanted to pop out of my hole and wave!

Much love to all,

Cassie

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Two wonderful women!

Two wonderful women out here are celebrating birthdays! I am a little late on Theresa but my birthday wishes are very sincere! I think the birthday wish she made last year has come true more completely than even she imagined! So Theresa this is for you!


And today is Graces’ birthday and a special birthday it is too. She is young and beautiful with a fine husband and two fantastic children. I really cannot imagine what she could have to wish for but what ever her wish is I hope it comes true! So Grace this is for you!


Happy Birthday! And much love to you both!