Remembering

I met Jim in November of 1997 and we got close very quickly. I remember that first New Year's Eve. Jim was in Chicago and I was in Safety Harbor. At the stroke of midnight he called me to wish me a Happy New Year. We stayed on the phone until the stroke of midnight in Chicago. He told me at midnight that he never wanted to spend another New Year's without me. WE had many wonderful New Year celebrations. They were festive and they were spent with our close friends. Last year we were together in the hospital and it was just as special being together. You promised me you were going to get better and honey you did your best but your poor body just did not cooperate.

Today I remembered all these special times and I miss you so much. Today I experienced what the books tells you will happen to you. Intense grief emotions are difficult to describe to those who have not experienced them. The often come to us at unexpected times, sometimes with no warning and with no evident "trigger". I know what today's "trigger" is, it's New Year's eve and we are not together. I had a doctor appointment this morning for my B12 shot and I cried through the whole appointment. Then I came home and with a rush of energy I cleaned the kitchen until it was spotless. Then feeling completely drained I went to bed and just thought about you and the great times we had.

Tonight I'll be awake at the stroke of midnight and I will be thinking about you and hope you are dancing the night away.

Happy Holiday Season To All

From my family to yours I wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season.

Black Friday

Today was Black Friday and the crowds were not there. I did not get up in the wee hours of the morning to go shopping. Jackie did get up early and she said there were no lines. She did stop by K2 and pick up my 40% coupon so that I could go later and shop.

The three of us did go to Michael's and Joann and picked up a few things but we did not spend a lot. Normally these places would have huge lines but today there was only one person in line in front of me. The economy is really taking a hit.

The only thing going down is gas. In July it cost me $62 to fill my car with gas. This week it cost me $30.11. I love it.

This photo was taken Thanksgiving day. It was a quiet day to start the holiday season. I miss Jim so much every day and the next month I'll just think of all the great memories we had and the short time we had with our wonderful grandchildren.

Happy Thanksgiving To All

Things To Do

Things to do....
so here goes. i copied this list from a blog & the idea is to bold (highlight/change the color) all the things on the list you've done. Some things I may never want to do but there are some things I would like to experience. Give it a try.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Held a praying mantis
9.Climbed a mountain
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped.
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (in Vegas)
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (a fish, does that count?)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (I’ve seen it)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Sharing a Few Layouts

My days are pretty full these days dealing with all of the pressures I have. I have finally found health insurance that I can barely afford but at least I was able to convert my current policy with United Health Care. Everyday I look for a job but as we all know the unemployment situation is very bleak. I find solace in knowing I am not the only one in this situation. I have also been dealing with some health issues. Nothing to serious but they have to be dealt with.

I am trying to stay busy as we approach this holiday season plus both my birthday and Jim's. Way to much to deal with but staying busy helps. Sitting outside with the sun on my face helps clear the mind. Especially since I think of all my friends and family facing the cold and snow. Stay warm everyone.

Misty Out Running

I took Misty out for a run tonight. She just loves getting out at night. A little warm here today but it was cooling down tonight. I think it was 88 today. I've heard something about a cool front coming Sunday. I can't wait.

Some Layouts

Here are some of the layouts I did last month and have not posted.

It has been pretty quiet around here. Jackie Mom and I went to McDill AFB on Monday to renew Mom's ID card. Unlucky for us that they were closed because of Tuesday's holiday. We went to the BX and did some shopping. They do have great prices and no sales tax. I got my haircut while we were there also. Yesterday was bowling and I actually did pretty good. Last night was Bingo and yes I got to yell bingo and won $25. Bingo pretty much pays for itself so that is really good.

Today the fire department is going around the community and inspecting our fire alarms and replacing them as needed. What a great service and it is free. Now that's for me. Have a great week.

A Tank of Gas

In July it cost me $62 to fill up my car with gas. Yesterday it cost me $37. But look around nothing else is coming down. Plus the price of gas went down again today. The price of a barrel of oil is less than $60. The stock market is down 30%. (You know what that means for all of our IRA's). So my question is when is everything else going to come down. When everyone raised the prices they said it was because of gas yet the prices are holding. Today they announced the highest unemployment rate since 1994. I guess our economy is just in the trash.

That was just my little rant.

Been busy. Bowled this week, did some water aerobics and played bingo. Filled out about a dozen job applications and did a little scrapbooking. Played with Misty and lunched with Mom and Jackie. I will miss all of this when I find a job. I do not hold out my chances with the holidays coming. Traditionally that is the worst time to find a job.

I have been really down about it but I may just have to face the facts and do what I need to do. I guess the worst part is losing my health insurance. It will be the first time I have ever been without health insurance. I am working through a complete medical exam so that I am set to go.

The two layouts I did in October. I really am behind in posting them. Have a great weekend everyone.

Yes We Can

Last night watching Barack Obama give his victory speech in Chicago I was so inspired that we are facing a change in business in Washington DC. Just as I was inspired last week when I say Barack speak last week in Sarasota. If I was still living in Chicago I would have been at Grant Park last night.

"In this election, in this moment, let us reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes again," Barack Obama.

Yes We Can. Change is in our future. God Bless America.

Did You Vote Today

Did you vote today? If you didn't I don't want to hear a word over the next four years.

Vote today. Every vote counts.

Made it through Halloween

Yes this was a difficult weekend for many reasons. One is that on Halloween last year Jim was really good. He was able to go outside and even to the lunchroom for the festivities. I really had hope at Halloween. Jack asked me to make him a Harry Potter scarf for his costume. I loved doing that as Jim and I were always part of our grand children's Halloween. Not so this year. I wonder what they dressed up as. Were they super hero's or spooky spirits. I wonder if they asked where their grandmother is. I wonder what the answer was.

Happy Hallween Jack, Josh and Luke. Hope you enjoy the little present grandma sent.

Kept busy most of the weekend. Cropped on Saturday and then played cards on Saturday night. We ordered out from the Chinese restaurant. Today I cleaned and did laundry. House is all spiffy and ready for another week. Have a good one everyone.

A Little behind in posting.

Yes I'm a little behind in posting but I've been really busy. Or maybe a little lazy.

Today, Jackie and I went to the Barrack Obama rally here in Sarasota. Wow, there were over 15,000 people there and the crowd was so energetic. The sun was out and it was 71 degrees, the perfect Florida day. Obama is do dynamic and he really had the crowd on its feet.

My favorite quote for the day was. "We need to rise to the moment when the moment is hard." Doesn't this say it all. He asked the crowd how many had already voted and I was so surprised when 75% of the people raised their hand. I had no idea that many people were taking advantage of early voting. I may just go vote today or wait until election day when the crowds are over.

It has been really cold over the past few days. 42 was our record low and for us in Florida this is really cold. I even wore my sweats.

Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Not Much Happening

Not much is happening on the job front. I have received several rejections but I still have high hopes on one job. The hiring manager told me she sent my application over to HR for processing. Keep your fingers crossed.

Played bingo on Tuesday and yelled bingo once. Today I filled in at Hands and Foot and won the pot of a whole $3.75 all in quarters.

Thanks mom for making dinner tonight. It was great as usual. These are two Digi layouts I have been working on. Have a great weekend.

Musings

Last Friday I was in the pool doing my water aerobics and one lady looked up and a bald eagle was soaring above us. We all looked up and there he was flying with some other black birds. How amazing it was to see him glide above us in all of his splendor. We have several her in our community. Remember a couple of weeks ago I told you that mom saw him in her back yard. He also perches on a house across from the club house. It is very rare to have or to see a bald eagle and how wonderful that he has chosen our community to live in. It was such a joy to have him watch us swim.

Yesterday I went to Tampa and on the way back I stopped for gas. $2.84! You read that right, cheap gas. I don't know what is going on but I love this downward spiral. Maybe the oil companies finally get it. You raise the price and we just stop driving. We can not afford $4 gas.

Right now I have the ball game on and it is the top of the 8th with no outs and 2 on base. Will the Rays pull this out or are we going home. Those of us in the Tampa Bay area had to choose tonight on what we were going to watch. The Bucs or the Rays? Many of us are going back and forth or using the PIP feature of our TV's. I had to read the book again.

Yesterday I went to a charity crop in Tampa. It benefited Tampa Bay Kids Charities. What a wonderful event this was. I had signed up about 5 months ago and really looked forward to the crop. The event was sponsored by Home Shopping Network and all of our money went directly to the charity. You have to love that. This group really pampered us. We were give one half of a ten foot table. This is unheard of because you usually are crammed in and barely get three feet. They gave us a huge goody bag full of scrapbook supplies, a free haircut coupon. A massage coupon and many others. Plus we were each given a chair massage at the event.

There were volunteers at the door to carry in all of our supplies. We did not have to lift one item and they took it directly to our preassigned table. That was just the beginning. HSN sent over volunteers and they were there for anything we might need. HSN had given us a insulated cup and these volunteers may sure they were always filled. They ran and got your drinks for you. Lunch was donated by Carrabas Restaurant and was chicken Alfredo and salad. An hour later they served hot chocolate chip cookies right to the table. Later chocolates were delivered. Dinner was Olive Garden's bake ziti, salad and bread sticks. Panera bread came in with cookies and chocolate cake. They were over the top on food.

They had six make and takes and there was no waiting because they called you up by tables and there was plenty of time to make them. There were tons of door prizes and raffles but I did not win any of them. One lady got to go home to her husband and tell him she had a great time cropping and she won 2 Buccaneer game tickets. I bet her husband lets her go to a crop again. I can't wait for next year. They have already given us the date for next year.

One more inning. Rays are up and we are starting the 8th inning. Cross your fingers.

I'll share my layouts from this weekend during the week.

Had a Interview

Yesterday I actually had a job interview. It's not a great job but it does have full benefits and right now that is extremely important to me. The interview went well and they are setting up an appointment with the District Manager. Wish me luck.

Days are becoming typical. Send out resumes in the morning, water aerobics and house maintenance. Misty and I are walking and playing. Thank you Jackie for making dinner last night. It was great as usual. Here is a layout from yesterday's Scrap and Dash. Kim does a great job.

The other first two layouts are made from scraps from the last couple of weeks.

Digital Layouts from Scrap Pink

Scrap Pink was a lot of fun and this morning I just felt like doing a couple of digital layouts. Thought the photos from scrap pink were a perfect subject to commemorate the weekend. It was fun ladies.

TGIF

What a busy week it has been. Job search was number one and about 25 resumes went flying out. There is and was the health care situation. Happily this is getting resolved and I will actually save money. I will finalize this on Tuesday. Then there are the headaches involved with resolving my car accident from August. This was the rear end hit and this is almost resolved. The only problem from this week and the past several months is the bleeding from my IRA. Will the market ever bottom out and start to go up. I am just like everyone else. Just holding my breath that the market won't go down much more.

Did the other usual things today. Water aerobics in the morning and tonight I went to the club house for game night. This is new for around here. You just go to the club house and bring a game and just hang out. What fun and it doesn't cost anything. We did this all summer on Monday nights at the pool. We brought a bag dinner and ate on the veranda and then played games or cards. Someone must think it's fall and we need to move inside.

It was a beautiful night and Misty and I went out for her run and she loved it. The cooler weather agrees with her and me.

Have a great weekend. This is just a fun digital layout I did this week.

Scrap and Dash Tonight

Here are several Scrap and Dash layouts. The first two are from several weeks ago that I forgot to post and the second two are from tonight. Had fun with Jenni and Chelsea tonight. They are both fun to hang out with. Naomi I was sorry you were coming as we were going. Would have loved to chat.

Not much happened today. Misty went to the groomers and she looks adorable. Photos tomorrow. Water aerobics as usual and then a search for health insurance. I think I have that nailed down and will make my decision over the next couple of days. There aren't many options but there is one that may work for me.

Off to bed and a good book. Night all.

Go Rays

Tonight we were all rooting for the Tampa Bay Rays. They were victorious over the Chicago White Sox's. I feel a little sad for my Chicago friends but down here in Florida we are doing the happy dance. Larry you can now wear your Rays hat.

Tried out a new recipe on my sister and Mom tonight. Yes I know I don't cook but decided it was time to try. I made grilled chicken with a mango salsa. It was great. This was one of the recipes from the Biggest Loser last week. They inspired me to cook.

Misty and the Duck

We have a number of ducks at the pond where I live. It totally amazes me that the white ducks don't even care about Misty and she doesn't care about them. She just totally ignores them. Tonight we sat for a few minutes on the bench while Misty sniffed every single grass blade. The ducks are in the background.

Today was filled with sweeping and washing floors and laundry. Last load is in the dryer and I'm ready to relax for the evening.

Thanks Mom for dinner tonight. It was great.

Had a Play Day Today

Just had a good ole fashion play day today. Mom and I went to St. Petersburg to the Whim So Doodle Fall Festival. It was such a gorgeous day and the festival was outside so we enjoyed walking around tried a few projects and enjoyed the day.

As we left we commented that we were going right past Tropicana Field. Yesterday there was total chaos there but today is was quiet and deserted. With any luck next week the real chaos will start with the Rays in the World Series. We won't be going near St. Petersburg.

On the way back we stopped at the Crap Trap in Ellington and had a great lunch. I had a lobster salad sandwich and absolutely loved it. Mom had Scallops. Next we were off to the Quilt store and Mom picked up some Loralee fabric. The new designs were all out.

Got back home and took a short nap and then we were off to the movies. We saw Nights in R something with Richard Gere. He's still got it. It has a sad ending which kinda of irritated me. I need happy.

Have a good weekend everyone and go Rays. Finish it off in Chicago tomorrow.

A Day To Remember

This was one of the ways I remembered Jim today. I was looking at photos of our wedding and remembering how happy we were. We stood in that gazebo and promised each other so much. I just didn't know that death do us part would come so soon.

Jim sang the Abba song, "I've Been Waiting For You," to me at our reception and I will never forget that moment.

I celebrate you today my love.

10 Years Ago Today

Ten years ago today Jim and I were married. I miss him so much.

More Pages From Last Weekend

This past weekend was great to get caught up on some of the photos that I had not scrapped. I take so many photos that I probably have enough right now that if I didn't take anymore photos until the end of the year I would not run out of new photos to scrap. The grandpa layout I have scrapped those photos but from a completely different perspective. This layout remembers the heartwarming side of Jack's and Jim's relationship. Just had to capture that moment again.




Just finished watching the vice presidential debate. I enjoyed the encounter but I am tired of the TV ads. I would much rather listen to the debate format. I think you get a better sense of the person and their positions. Enough politics. Good Night.

Layouts from Scrap Pink

Last weekend I spent the weekend cropping at Scrap Pink. I got a lot accomplished and here are a few of the layouts. There will be more to come.

Tonight was Scrap and Dash and finished that layout and it is to come also.

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to my sister. Friday is Jim and my 10th anniversary. Sadly we will not be able to celebrate but he is in my heart. Jim always gave me a box of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory truffles. My absolute favorite. My sister brought me a box tonight knowing that I am very down this week. You can't buy them in Sarasota but she picked them up on her way back from Georgia. Thank you Jackie. You are the best.

Donald begins what my be his Senior year in college this week. What an exciting time for him. Thought I'd celebrate him tonight. Go Donald. We are so proud of you.