This Makes me Sad

Coming to terms with reality: Emily won't be home for Christmas. :(

This one's for Jen!

This post is for Jen. This is a notepad I have on my fridge and I wanted to share it with a kindred spirit. Sorry the photo is so bad, I really can't do technology. I don't know what I was thinking trying to pull this off. I somtimes wonder if I should have gone off to a convent instead.

A Tender Thursday Evening

We visited my parents tonight. Lately I begin to miss them a great deal. It's strange, but I keep feeling pulled toward them. Our visits have been so good. When we hug and kiss goodbye, they won't let go easily. Our hands hold each other for an extended time and sweet words are exchanged. It's like we are circling around to another separation anxiety in our old ages! I love it and hate it at the same time. It is a challenging time in their lives and that is waking me up to trying to be aware of their needs and be there for what they need. Mostly to love on them. They are craving that most. Gripping for the hands and hearts of those they love.

The Greenhouse Corner

The plants have moved in for the winter and guess where they ended up! I will sacrifice my tub just to keep them corraled and keep the mess contained. Last year I spent the winter getting dry needle-ly type leafy things all over my clothes and floor and all over the countertop, etc. You can imagine the sputtering I did about that. So we'll see if this works better. Jill, check out the Christmas Cactus on the left. Remember that scrawny stem you let us take home with us from your house last year? Would you like it back now???!!! I think it just needed some water and sun! ha!

Once a Marine, Always a Marine

Last night we attended the Marine Corps Birthday Ball at Longbranch in CR. It was interesting to hear stories of what these men went through for us. And the food was good. We didn't get to dance though because I couldn't pull Mr. Yakkity Yak away from his brothers long enough, but it was his evening, after all. He's not as lean and not as mean, but still a Marine!

Where the Wild Things Are

Last Sunday we visited High Drive to see Don's folks before they left for Arizona, so thought I would post a couple pictures of the wildlife we saw out there that day.
Here is a handsome species of man that we saw that day. And so loveable!!!

I think this dog's name is Cocoa, not sure. It's kind of a creepy dog, the type that thinks you like her when you really don't. Annoying little thing. Don's folks got her passed off to them and I guess they got kind of attached, even though his mom said no more dogs.

Example of some wildlife out at his folk's place. Usually we see deer or turkey or snakes or cows but not this time. This praying mantis was a biggie! Don't worry, Don moved him off the car before we took off.

A Strange Friday

My Friday was a strange one. As soon as I got off work, I felt this heaviness come over me that I can't describe. I drove over to Jill's and sat down at her kitchen table. She wanted me to spill my guts, but I didn't know what to say. She offered me a peanut butter sandwich, 2 or 3 times and I declined each time, but later I wish I had accepted. Sam and Max kind of cheered me up temporarily and when I got back in my car, I called Emily and talked to her a few minutes, but she was actually working thru her lunch time, so that was brief. Then I had to stop at Wal Mart for a couple things and there I ran into Laura and Lily. So within a half hour's time I made contact with all my daughters. God is so good. After leaving Wal Mart, I turned on the car radio and heard the song about " take more of me so I can have more of You" and it was the icing on the cake. It's what I needed to hear. But when I got home, I was so much looking forward to having a hot dog and guess what - no bread - not even a heel. So I just had a wiener dipped in catsup and mustard. Did I let that ruin my day? No, I just kind of wished I had taken Jill up on that peanut butter sandwich though!!!