Loss and Hope

This week we say goodbye to yet another dear friend.  This guy, Tom, was a cabinite until he and his love decided it was time to move back to town.  They lived full time at their cabin, built new by them, for a few years.  We've known them at least 20 years, our weekend buddies.  They moved back to town just in time for him to do battle with cancer, which did not this time, unfortunately.  Oh my we missed him so much when they moved back to town but now, will miss him forever.  Tom was the guy who was quick to call The Hubby when we hit the cabin area to come over and smoke a cigar with The Hubby.  He would come over and we would talk books and life in general.  I will never fix potato salad again without him in mind.  He requested it time and time again.  

One of the greats he was, and ACCOMPLISHED.  His obituary in the paper yesterday was awe inspiring.  I had no idea he was a pilot at one time.  I did know he was a great lawyer, was once JAG for the military.  Quite a wonderful gentleman.  Tomorrow we go to say a final goodbye to a great friend.  Lots of prayers for his wife Peggy as she has been through the wringer of emotions and loss lately.  A month ago she lost a grandson and now her dear husband.  

On to some good news.  This big guy is close to coming home this time.  He's nearly 14 pounds now and next Tuesday will have another procedure on his GJ tube and the plan is he will be home later that week!!!

There is the distinct hope he will be here for Easter and we could not be happier.  Our dear Maximilian, our warrior.

 

Patti

Yesterday I got a text message from this sweet lady's husband, Jim.  He said Patti had fallen the night before and was getting ready to have her third brain surgery in just a few hours. 

I don't know the details, just she had fallen and had brain bleeds they couldn't stop.  Today, again my phone went off and Jim said she had left this earth.  I am just heartsick over this.  She was not that old and was a successful realtor in our area.  I shared many a meal and a glass of wine with her.  I can still hear her laughter in my head.  Patti you will be so missed and Jim will be at a loss.  

I'm really tired of losing people around Christmas.  Last year was daddy's best friend Jay and two years ago my dear friend Charlotte.  

My Year In Review...

What a huge year we've all had around here.  I guess first things first, the new granddaughter.  Oh my what a blessing.  I was there for the birth and that absolutely made my life.  It was truly magical.  And to be able to be there for the birth I had to conquer a fear and FLY BY MYSELF!  That was such a big thing for me but I knew I had to do it and I can't wait to go again.

The little miss is now 3 months old and I cannot believe how time flies.  She is growing like a weed. 

This weekend they will fly into town so everyone else in the family and friends will get to meet the new addition.  Plus I will be able to get a photo of both of my beautiful granddaughters, TOGETHER!  I'm truly blessed.  

It's been a busy year with work and my new profession, art.  I've taken a couple of workshops and continued to enter in some national shows.  One of my goals was to finally be juried into one and guess what, it happened twice!  

My "Morning Glories" juried into the Allied Artist show that was held in the Salmangundi Club!  THAT was a big deal.  Then... 

I found out that "Pink Is The New Black" juried into the Arkansas national show.   

Of course I didn't win anything but getting in was awesome and gets my name out there.  

I then started on a self-portrait path.  It's still there but my drive has slowed down on it.  I'm hoping to get them finished by September for a show in the Broken Arrow Historical Museum.  

On a sad note was the passing of one of our dear art friends, Charlotte.  It was sudden and a huge shock that rocked everyone's world, including mine.  She was a mother figure and a friend so it hit me on all sides, taking me to memories of Gail dying and my mother.  So to help with the saddness I again turned to my art that pulled me out out of the darkness once before.   

" Remembering Charlotte"

Now Christmas is here and the New Year is upon us, 2020.  Hard to believe it's going to be 2020.  Boggles the mind for sure.  It's been a really nice quiet Christmas season, although rushed and busy, yet calm.  The Hubby and I really didn't buy anything for each other, we never really do but I did get him a book and a sweater.  He got me a new fireplace built in the screened porch at the cabin that I've been wanting for years.  Plus I'm getting a new car this next week when it arrives.  He was concerned that I didn't have anything under the tree to unwrap but I told him that was okay, but I would like to have a new parakeet.  He went shopping and we now have Frenchie in our living room entertaining us.  Plus he did have a card under the tree for me.  OMG, I almost cried, it was truly beautiful and today I got flowers for no reason.  He is really a thoughtful guy, most of the time...LOL...

Next month we celebrate 44 years of marriage...WOW! 

Loss of a Friend

 

My dear sweet Daddy had some very sad news yesterday.  On Sunday's about 10:30 in the morning, every Sunday, he gets in his little car and drives out to his oldest friends house to visit.  He and Jay were best buds in high school and Jay has a twin sister, Kay, he goes to visit Jay but Kay comes to bring them lunch and to give Daddy his kiss!  Jay is married to Helen.  Jay and Helen were also dear friends of my Momma and Daddy.  Anyway, Helen had a massive heart attack yesterday about the time that Daddy goes to visit.  I don't know if he was there because I only had a message from him.  I didn't call back because he can't hear but will today.  He called all three of us, Bro, Sis and me but only talked to Sis and she said what happened.  You could tell on the message that he is torn up for a lot of reasons but one is because tomorrow is the 10th anniversary of Momma passing.  Breaks my heart for him and Jay and their family.

NOTE:  Edited this after I just talked to him...yes he was there but said there was nothing he could do.  So sad and hard on him and Jay.

Surgery Girl

Thought I would give an update on Surgery Girl here!  Today it has been exactly 7 days since I underwent a robotic hysterectomy, a successful one at that.  Everyday seems better and better and the scale seems to stay the same, where my body usually likes to be.  It doesn't vary, dang it.  I had gained about 10 pounds the past six months but as of today that 10 is now gone.  I think if i could get the constipation thing under control the scale might go down a bit further.  I'm not eating junk food but I'm not exercising either.  I'm enjoying the many meals that friends have brought to us.  Last night was baked chicken, mashed new potatoes and salad.  It was yummy.  Most of the meals have been pasta something with cheese and I think cheese is a constipator too.  I have eaten a few salads which are good for me.  Definitely eating less on my plate!

I wake in the mornings feeling pretty good but by the end of the day my tummy just hurts like gas buildup.  I seem to remember someone saying that my bladder was attached somewhat to my uterus and that might explain the bladder thing hurting too, bruised.  I'm down to one pain pill the past couple of days and my goal is no more, especially by Friday as I have to go into the office and do payroll.  I look forward to that, getting out.  

I've also logged some time the past couple of days at my easel, successfully.  I never realized how exhausting that could be.  Yesterday it was all day which felt good.  I'm not finished yet:

I would like to send a shout for some good vibes for a friend.  Her husband is our right hand man at work and they are the nicest people you will ever meet.  Jamie has been battling stage 4 ovarian cancer for the past 2 years with all kind so experimental stuff, regular stuff, you name it but her body is just riddled with cancer at this point.  She is trying to hold on till their first grandchild is born, a boy, in July but at this point they don't think she will make it a month.  She has hardly missed a day of work up until now.   She is losing her battle and it is heartbreaking.  I feel sad that I am rid of that stuff with a fear of cancer but none was there.  They just need some time for her to hold that grandson.

Happy Thanksgiving, Not Really

It's over and all that's left is turkey pieces and sweet potatoes.  I may never want to eat again!  My stomach is so full I feel like I'm going to POP!  The day started with me up early to get the turkey out of the brine, rinsed, seasoned and tossed into the oven.  I was on my game yesterday and The Hubby said he didn't know what I did but I should do it again, as he carved.  It was the best turkey I've ever cooked.  

The morning was going well until I saw on Facebook that a friend of our lost his fight with cancer.  Mr. Charles Faudree lost his very long battle with cancer Thanksgiving morning.  He was a world renowned interior designer and one of the most fun loving free spirits you could ever know.  I was lucky enough to know him and love him.

He even was able to come to one of my birthday parties and shake a leg a few years ago.  I am very sad.  What a joy he was.

The day went on with family coming to visit and eat and I THOUGHT all was well.  Remember when I had written a bit on the trials and tribulations on my niece and her drug/stealing issues!  Well, she and her "new husband" were in attendance and I thought during most of the afternoon that he looked, well, a bit on the stoned side.  I probably was not too off.  Anyway, after most had left Afton was looking in her purse and found that it had been opened and one of her pill bottles disturbed, in fact some of the pills were even wet.  That spurred the mother-in-law to check her purse that was on my bed along with the niece's purse.  Lo and behold she had three $20 bills in her coin purse and they were gone.  I am very disappointed with my niece and her hubby.  How could they steal.  Bri caught her in the bedroom several times thinking she was in her own purse, never thinking she was rifling a purse not her own.  That girl and her husband are not allowed at my house anymore!!!!!  I sent a text to my sister, trying to not be accusatory but told her what had happened and to check her purse.  Her response, "I did not have any money." That was ALL!  Good grief, it is your child but she has wiped her hands free of that child for good as we all will now.  My girls are so mad that she took advantage of their MiMi they are blowing steam out the top of their heads.  

Happy Thanksgiving