Happy Easter!

It’s been a while since I fell off the face of the earth.  I haven’t felt like blogging or anything else for some time.  Work has been consuming my life for the past several months since the company I worked for changed hands.   I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and the good news is that so far, I still have a job.  That is always a concern when your company changes owners, something I’ve been through 4 times already with this company.

Had a bit of a scare a few months ago with DH, who ended up in the hospital for a few days with chest pains and shortness of breath.  After 2 urgent care visits, 2 ambulance rides, 2 emergency room visits, admittance to 2 hospitals, and many tests, it was determined that he had a 30% blockage in one artery.  The doctors were not concerned about the blockage.  The doctors felt that the chest pains were the result of a prolonged flu virus, and that his heart muscle had some stiffness due to sleep apnea.  I finally convinced him that if the flu can put him in that kind of tailspin, then perhaps it was time to start getting a flu shot (which he got).  Using his CPAP machine for the sleep apnea is another struggle he is trying to work through.

I did manage to get to some quilt shows over the last few weekends.  I’ve got pics, but they are still on my camera so I’ll get those unloaded for a later post.  But here’s a pic that always brings a smile to my face as it looks like my cat Lumpy, who lived with us for over 16 years until we had to put her down 5 years ago this month.




It has been a long winter, and spring is having a hard time settling in.  I am grateful that we’ve managed to avoid those tornadoes that seem to be popping up across the south and mid west.  I feel bad for those areas that have been hit hard over and over again with bad weather.  I did enjoy the beautiful, sunny day we had yesterday (finally!).   I’ve been missing my brother and his family as we have a quiet Easter at home today.

I’m saw this awesome performance the other night, which I thought was appropriate for this day.  She has such a powerful voice, and I love the guitar playing by Vince Gill.

And last, but not least, I saw this on Facebook today and had to share this with you.

All I need to know I learned from the Easter Bunny!

• Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

• Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

• There's no such thing as too much candy.

• All work & no play can make you a basket case.

• A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

• Everyone's entitled to a bad hare day.

• Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

• Some body parts should be floppy.

• Happy Easter everyone!

Merry Christmas

Spending a nice quiet day at home after a crazy week.  I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday with family and friends.  I love this video.  Enjoy!

It was a bad and good day

We laid my brother to rest today.  Mother nature chose to honor us with our first measurable snow, with just enough to make the roads a bit messy while heading to the cemetery.   For a cold, snowy day, there were a surprising number of people who showed up for the graveside service.  My former sister in law was there with her son, my nephew.  I hadn’t seen her in many years since her divorce from my younger brother.  But at times like these, as we stood there and hugged in the cold, I found that there is no “ex” family.  She was there to see my mom & dad and comfort them over the loss of their son.

As I helped my mother to the where the service was held, her hands were cold as ice.  As people sometimes do at these times, she forgot her gloves at home.  I gave her my gloves and held her hand as we said goodbye.  My father seemed a bit dazed and confused.  It was a somber affair.  And then just like that, it was quickly over.  His last 6 months from diagnosis to death—it  just happened too fast for me.  We headed to the VFW hall where his friends put together a lovely lunch.

It was great to see all of my family together again, nieces, nephews and other family members who had moved away and hadn’t been seen in a while.  Lots of hugs, and I got to meet my 6 month old niece, Clara.  I watched as Clara was passed around from person to person, such a sweet baby who kept looking at everyone with big brown eyes.  Babies are wonderful at times like these.  It’s funny.  I remember Clara’s mother, Amanda at my grandparents funeral 33 years ago.


At most memorials or funerals, there comes a time when everyone has a good laugh as they share a memory of a loved one.  Today was no exception.  My niece, Amanda, provided the perfect way to celebrate her father’s life.  My brother loved to party with his friends, and he loved his beer.  Amanda brought in a life size cut out of her father, with a can of beer attached to his hand with velcro.


Looks real, doesn’t it?  Mark’s many friends gathered around him and posed for one last picture as we all giggled and laughed.  Yes, it was a good day to celebrate life.

Thank you for your prayers and comments over this past week.