The world of Joanne is a whole lot different.
And although the goodness is there - a new job that I like, a fabulous week in Disney, having my family close and safe and happy, this has been a wretched year.
I can't believe that in April, I had just found out that my best friend had cancer. And tomorrow will be three months since I stood by her bedside and watched her draw her last breath. I can't believe that in April, I was worried about losing my Shelby, and on May 10th, I took her to humanely draw her last breath, with me at her side. Add to those the sadness of my friends and family in various other losses, and I tell you, this year can't end soon enough.
I imagine that come December 31st, I will probably have a few more choice words for you, 2011. In the meantime, I will take it day by day . . . each one bringing me one more closer to the fresh start of a brand new year.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Birthdays and such... .
Turned the big 4-0 yesterday . . . just saw on the news that I share my birthday with the Pope . . . . and I also share it with my precious brother in law. Happy birthday to all of us.
Carol comes to San Antonio this week . . . . we will spend Easter with her next weekend, and I cannot wait. I really miss her . . . . and having her so close easily warrants a trip up there, even if it's only for 24 hours.
I am listening to the kids play upstairs - so much fun to hear them make up thinsgs to play and sing - right now, they are singing a made up song together and jumping on the air mattress that is still up from some company we had a few weeks ago. They love something new to climb and jump on.
I have been watching my precious Shelby become more and more geriatric . . . . and she is slipping away in the clutches of old age. Luckily, she has no diagnosis - she is eating and sleeping and doing all the things the "right" way - just a lot slower. And somewhat sadder. She can hardly see or hear . . . . so she gets herself underfoot quite a bit. I am waiting for a sign that it's her "time" but so far, I haven't seen one. People who have been through this say I will know when it's time . . . . I surely hope so. That dog has been by our side for 15 years this week. She is the dog by which all others shall be compared. Even as we look down the tunnel to the end for her . . . she is still every bit of the queen of our house that she ever has been. Soft and demure . . . . resting on her pillow . . . . what a great dog.
That's the birthdays and the such . . . . .
Carol comes to San Antonio this week . . . . we will spend Easter with her next weekend, and I cannot wait. I really miss her . . . . and having her so close easily warrants a trip up there, even if it's only for 24 hours.
I am listening to the kids play upstairs - so much fun to hear them make up thinsgs to play and sing - right now, they are singing a made up song together and jumping on the air mattress that is still up from some company we had a few weeks ago. They love something new to climb and jump on.
I have been watching my precious Shelby become more and more geriatric . . . . and she is slipping away in the clutches of old age. Luckily, she has no diagnosis - she is eating and sleeping and doing all the things the "right" way - just a lot slower. And somewhat sadder. She can hardly see or hear . . . . so she gets herself underfoot quite a bit. I am waiting for a sign that it's her "time" but so far, I haven't seen one. People who have been through this say I will know when it's time . . . . I surely hope so. That dog has been by our side for 15 years this week. She is the dog by which all others shall be compared. Even as we look down the tunnel to the end for her . . . she is still every bit of the queen of our house that she ever has been. Soft and demure . . . . resting on her pillow . . . . what a great dog.
That's the birthdays and the such . . . . .
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Nothing since Thanksgiving?
It's shameful, really. Unavoidable, yet shameful.
I always think the holidays are the busiest times - but I am now realizing that the period after the holidays (even through March) isn't much better. The weather in Texas is so beautiful this time of year that you cram every activity that you can possibly imagine into the weekends, all the way into exhaustion. That is what has happened to me and these weekends.
And right now is no different. Just came off of a weekend of the our company sales convention and 25th anniversary party, a delicious dinner at Yao's restaurant and a night by ourselves at the Hilton in downtown Houston (where we were relaxing, watching TV, and childless) by about 8:45PM - but we slept all night, got up at our own leisurely pace, and came home. I also made a trip to a fabulous B&B in Brenham to see some friends who were scrapbooking (JEALOUS) and admire their work. Cleaned up the house today, caught up the laundry, and prepared for another week.
Tonight, though, my blog followers, my heart is heavy because one of my very very VERY best friends, who is no less my family than those who share my DNA, has the big "C" word. She is too young and too healthy to be in this state. I don't know too much - only enough to say - when it hits this close, it hurts. A lot. And it takes up a lot of brain and prayer space.
So if you too have some extra space, whether in your brain or your heart or your prayers, please keep a very special friend named Julie in there. She's got a long road ahead of her - and if you believe what I believe - every little bit counts.
I won't wait so long between posts . . . . promise. . . . just wait until July when it is a gazillion degrees and the only thing to do is stay in the AC and write about my life . . . . .
I always think the holidays are the busiest times - but I am now realizing that the period after the holidays (even through March) isn't much better. The weather in Texas is so beautiful this time of year that you cram every activity that you can possibly imagine into the weekends, all the way into exhaustion. That is what has happened to me and these weekends.
And right now is no different. Just came off of a weekend of the our company sales convention and 25th anniversary party, a delicious dinner at Yao's restaurant and a night by ourselves at the Hilton in downtown Houston (where we were relaxing, watching TV, and childless) by about 8:45PM - but we slept all night, got up at our own leisurely pace, and came home. I also made a trip to a fabulous B&B in Brenham to see some friends who were scrapbooking (JEALOUS) and admire their work. Cleaned up the house today, caught up the laundry, and prepared for another week.
Tonight, though, my blog followers, my heart is heavy because one of my very very VERY best friends, who is no less my family than those who share my DNA, has the big "C" word. She is too young and too healthy to be in this state. I don't know too much - only enough to say - when it hits this close, it hurts. A lot. And it takes up a lot of brain and prayer space.
So if you too have some extra space, whether in your brain or your heart or your prayers, please keep a very special friend named Julie in there. She's got a long road ahead of her - and if you believe what I believe - every little bit counts.
I won't wait so long between posts . . . . promise. . . . just wait until July when it is a gazillion degrees and the only thing to do is stay in the AC and write about my life . . . . .
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