A piece of my heart

is in these photos

and will remain there

and with them

in heaven

Until we meet again.

My heart has been changed forever.

They taught me the meaning of a beautiful life.

They never wasted a day.

They stole a lot of my heart and love.

I will never be the same again.

Cinco Question Viernes

Somewhere other there my old Spanish teacher (who is now a very dear friend) is shivering! :)

I haven't done 5 Question Friday for a while. Who am I kidding, I have hardly blogged lately.

I'm jumping in with Mama M this week! You should, too!

1. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you?

Oh, this is NOT pretty!! Like REALLY ugly! It has to do with my bear bottom butt!! I had a cyst on my tailbone. LOOOONG story short, I was basically taken in for "emergency surgery" to remove it. The doctor was HORRIBLE! I felt the WHOLE thing...all the cutting, digging, cleaning, more cutting, more digging...

and THEN...WAIT FOR IT....I had to keep the hole open for 2 FREAKIN weeks.

Thanks for making me remember all that. Really, thanks.

2. How much sleep do you get at night?

Different every night...I know, bad...anywhere between 5 and 9 hours. Usually 7. I would sleep for 10 hours every night if I could.

3. How long did you believe in Santa Claus? How did you find out that he does not exist?

My parents always told us he was not real. Fine with me. I would have been afraid of him anyway. My parents were always very "strict" about the true meaning of Christmas. Although they never did the Easter bunny, tooth fairy, etc either

4. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

Ramona and Beezus.... GOOOOD MOVIE!

5. What do you wear to Bed?

heated mattress, smartwool socks, flannel or sweats with hoodie, and 2 down comforters...no heat in my room, people.

New Hampshire Fall

GIVEAWAY time again!! Over

**Giveaway now over!! Thanks to all who entered! Winner announced by tonight!!**

CONGRATS TO MAMIPDX!!!!! Thanks for enter everyone!! definitely a fun round!!


Welcome to another CSN giveaway!!

Anyone can enter...just be aware of the shipping. I believe most shipping is free as long as you are a US resident.

On with the giveaway....

CSN works hard at promoting their online stores. I have been on the receiving end of some of their wonderful products. Check out their bar stools, so many to choose from. I personally love these:

from here

and here

This time I am not doing a review, I chose a giveaway, so one of you will get to choose...AND you are not limited to bar stools. Check out all their different stores! If you win, you will get $45 to spend at one of their online stores!

SO enter as you wish....as many times as you'd like! I'll let you know when I am getting close to shutting the giveaway down, but for now, no stipulations.... enter away!

the week that followed

Tuesday morning will mark 2 weeks since my grandma went to be with Jesus.

The days that followed her death were some of the hardest I can remember. I walked around in a daze, just trying to get through. I was literally on the verge of tears at every second. I can't even tell you how many times I broke down. Anywhere and everywhere...including the dinner table with the whole family.

I will admit, my fear got the best of me. I started to worry about others. Pleading with the Lord not to take anyone else away. I was trapped in my fear. Somehow the Lord is helping me to release this fear and breathe again.

One day at a time. If you think of it, please continue to pray for my brother-in-law. He is still very sick. He did not return home with my sister after the funeral out here because he was not stable enough to fly. He still continues to seize several times a night and have severe headaches. His uncle also just dropped dead 2 nights ago....there has to be some respite for him...and I am hoping it comes really soon.

on a positive note, I will be posting another CSN giveaway this week!

Still

It still hurts to look at her pictures

I hated how she was frowning in her casket. She never frowned...and I know she is certainly not frowning in heaven!

I still can't drive to the end of my street (where her house is).

It still doesn't seem like she is gone.

I still don't believe it.

I still keep thinking our bi-weekly dinners are part of my life....waiting for her to call me and ask what I want her to make. :)

I still look with expectation that one day I will see her again in heaven where we will sing and dance before the Lord forever.

Afterall, she taught me to Greek dance!

if you were to ask me

what yesterday looked like, I would tell you....

black clothes and cool fall weather

my grandmother's wake

my grandmother's funeral

my tears, snot, and whatever makeup I had on all over my dad's suit coat

a white wine toast to my grandmother's life

a cemetery burial in the middle of beautiful fall leaves

a pink carnation placed on her casket

hundreds of people

hugs and laughter, tears and sobbing

my brother having three seizures

my brother-in-law having three seizures

piano and singing from the hymnal as a family

prayer

love & support

memories & pictures

more tears

a goodbye a promise to see her in heaven