Quick Vacay with the Gals

A group of us gals drove to Winthrop for the weekend. Sue's birthday was Sunday and Bill and I got her a Margarator. She was so excited! I brought mix and OJ gave Sue some tequila, so we were set!

Sue and Grandma figuring out the new machine and measuring tequila in the room's coffee pot!

Lisa, Grandma Jo, OJ, Me and Sue
Our toast to everything this weekend is about: Mom, OJ's birthday (6/17), Sue's birthday (6/22), friends, family, summer vacations and.... everything else in between!

and just fun pics...

It has been one year...

I can hardly believe it. One year ago today at 2:45 p.m., I watched my Mom slip away right before my very eyes. I knew this day would be hard, but I didn't expect it to be so bad. Things have been tough this week anyway, but last night my stomach started to hurt and I woke up so incredibly sad. It is has been like I am carrying the grief around in my chest and belly like a heavy weight. I haven't stopped thinking about it. Every hour that passed brought me back to what was happening a year ago and it just felt like I was re-living everything all over again.

We were given a hydrangea from a group of her friends at her service last year that died as soon as we planted it here. Of course, that really upset me and I've really worried about it. Fortunately, it has come back with great vigor and I secretly hoped it would bloom today. (I read later that hydrangeas are fall/summer blooming bushes, so I shouldn't be too disappointed that no - no blooms yet.)

I got a lovely gift of flowers from my staff - at least I am pretty sure it was them. The card was unsigned, but had the handmade touch of Jonnita. I was so touched by their thoughtfulness. What was most incredible was one of the beautiful pink (of course) flowers had a pink rhinestone dragonfly. Dragonflies have been so meaningful to me since Mom's passing since seeing her grave covered in them on my first visit to her site as I first shared on her blog.

Bill and I visited her site this evening and found Grandma, Dad and Corey had already been there. Her gravesite had so much love for her there, it was very touching. Not a very clear picture, but you at least can get the idea below.Afterward, we met Corey, Keri, Carson, Dad, Grandma, Vickie and Harry at Plaza Jalisco. We had a nice dinner together - Carson was a great distraction! Another nice surprise - Sharon Carter and her husband and Jean Love, Bunco friends of Mom's were at the restaurant. I know Mom just loved that. It was great seeing them. They said they never did fill Mom's spot at the Bunco table. Oh, how they love her. That means so much to me.

I miss Mom so much. Things have been pretty hard on me lately and I have very much felt the void of her loss. However, I cannot change the fact she is gone and her loss has led to me to not take for granted my life and those I love around me. Life is truly precious and much too short. I will be with her one day soon enough and for now I have a lot to be thankful for. As Keri said, as hard as this year has been - we have had many blessings - Sue and Scott moving here, the birth of Carson, Bill and I getting engaged, and so on. Thanks be to God.

Six, Seven, Eight - Part Two

Just a few hours after Carson left, Tanner and Maggie arrived. Tom and Molli had a wedding and Tom was coaching a soccer game that evening, so we had them overnight.

Tanner enjoyed smelling the flowers.

Each and every one of them...

He still enjoys cuddling from time to time -
and I will enjoy it while it lasts...

Soon, Maggie joined in and it turned into a fun game of "let's not face the camera" 'cause that would be SUPER funny!

Maggie was very upset to find Carson had been there and she'd missed it. So... we were lucky enough that they came back by! She REALLY likes babies and loves to give kisses...

for which Carson wasn't too sure about...

Carson's like, "Hey, guys... Don't you wanna see my roll-over move?"

It was a fun day. We took Tanner and Maggie to Lattin's. Maggie was relieved to find out that the baby goat with the broken leg she'd seen there before was all better! It was an exciting trip - we got to feed leftover scraps to Howard the pig AND feed the goats. Good times!

Six, Seven, Eight - Part One

It was another Saturday morning with Carson.

First, we played in front of the mirror

with Auntie's hair clips...

mmm - they taste good...

but, I'll still share!

We went for a ride to go visit

Dick and Evelyn and their springer spaniel, Henry.

Henry is still a real crack-up! Check out the video below...

We have Tanner and Maggie later today. More to come!

GoodSearch - Time for a Reminder

Why Google? I have been using this site for a while now, but was recently reminded of how many people don't know about it yet. GoodSearch is a search engine that donates 50% of its revenue to charities and schools designated by its users. It is simple, easy and a win-win! You use GoodSearch just as you would any other search engine (Google). I used to use Google and get just as good of results with GoodSearch. Every time you search the Internet or make an online purchase at one of their partner merchants (Amazon.com, Ebay, Target, Walmart, Staples, etc.); GoodSearch makes a donation to the nonprofit or school of your choice. Isn't that awesome?

The more people who use the site, the more money will go to those in need. So please check it out and spread the word! The website address is http://www.goodsearch.com/. On the home page it allows you to search just like any search engine site, but it also has a spot where you "enter your charity here" and then click on the "verify" button to the right.

If you don't have a favorite school or charity already in mind, then please consider the ALS Assocation, Evergreen Chapter in Kent, Washington. This organization provides support and research efforts to patients and families in Washington State. When holidays come around (birthdays, Christmas, Mother's Day), I use whatever money I would have spent on Mom toward a donation to the ALS Evergreen Chapter. It is truly the least I can do to repay them for all they have done for my family. Plus, if it can benefit current and future patients of ALS in some small way, that means the world to me and I know it means more to my Mom than flowers on her headstone.

Thanks for the reminder, Carin, about continuing to spread the word about this site.