In Honor of Brandon Titus

I had the honor and privilege of assembling this OPH comfortghan for the father of Brandon Titus. I was only recently able to obtain mailing information with the assistance of a friend or it would have been sent to him earlier. This one has haunted me and was one I have wanted to assemble since the first reports of Brandon's death. I am glad to have been able to complete this assembly and send to Mr. Titus.

What a day!

This has been an interesting day. Yesterday afternoon my boss announced that the office would be closed today so I had the day off. FANTASTIC! I planned to get a ton of things done and have some me time as well. I started off the day with working out after the kids left for school. Just as planned. I then went to use my %off coupons at some of the craft stores to get some things I really need for upcoming projects. I got some things for the ABC baby book I am making (gift) and new blades for my cutter. Unfortunately, stop #2 was not what I had hoped. I needed the page protectors and they did not have what I needed. Since I had a 50% off coupon I really thought I should use it. So I wandered for waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy too long. The good news is I did NOT spend money just to spend money. Bad news, can't get the time back. Went to another store to get the page protectors and then went to visit a LSS that I hadn't been to in some time. I actually didn't need anything, but I noticed the owners vehicle and just wanted to say "Hi!". It was a great time and I am so glad I did. She shared some of the upcoming changes for the store and showed me a bunch of things. It is going to be really neat and it was good to see her so excited again. I did get some ribbon she had that matches perfectly a page kit I have and it is just the thing for it!
After all of this though, the day was pretty much gone. I really should have tried to catch up with some friends or something, but I just didn't plan well. The good news is the weather is sunny and nice so I have spent as much time as my bum knee with allow cleaning out flower beds. There is still a TON of work to do. This has brought on quite the pity party however. Earlier this year I talked to my hubby about spending the raise I got the have the front relandscaped. I wanted the big ugly junipers gone and flower beds that looked planned instead of mish mashed and overgrown. I wanted them easier to maintain. He agreed so I began to get quotes. As it went along it was decided to find out how much it would cost to replace the grass with something more suited to our climate. Then we added on how much to do the grass in back as well? See where this is going? I have spent several weeks in landscape hell and guess what? We have all new grass, but I still have a front bed that needs to be rototilled, prepped, planned, planted and mulched. Not quite what I had planned. Now, I admit the junipers are gone and the bed is edged in beautiful rock as are my beds in back, but it is not ready to go and done. Hence the pity party. Guess I best get over it soon because it isn't going to get done by itself!!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Dad! I love and miss you!

Mixed emotions time

This time of year is so hard for me. I love Spring. It is my favorite season. There is nothing like seeing the trees in bloom and the first colors of tulips and daffodils (one of my favorite flowers!). The grape hyacinths remind me of my grandmother and playing in her yard.
This is also super tough. April 1 is the anniversary of my Dad's death and April 3 is his birthday. I try to avoid all the April Fools stuff as it just serves to remind me what day it is. This year it has been 9 years since he died. It isn't easier, the pain just isn't as sharp.
I dread the phone ringing on either day. I always worry it is a family member wanting to talk. I don't want to talk. I just want to pretend it is any other day. Not very adult, but also the only way I get through.
So, enjoy the sunshine and the daffodils, I will be. The rest will come as it will.