Hey there I'm still here. okay maybe the here isn't where it once was but it will do I suppose. I am now a temporary resident of Russellville, Arkansas. I will sign a 6 month lease tomorrow on a duplex and move in. I picked out some new furniture and it all will be delivered soon. I have been in Arkansas for a month living in the basement apartment of my cousin Deb's house with my two furry children..izzy and callie. Of course, you know me, I haven't been here ALL the time during the past 30 days. I did drive back to Alabama for a few days to go through some stuff in the storage units, had a perfect day in Memphis, and after being back in Arkansas for a week I flew to New Orleans to be with Angie and her family. We went to Orange Beach to celebrate Madelyn's 5th birthday. We had such a great time....except for the jellyfish ugh! (and the fact that Keri and Chad couldn't make the trip.) I flew back to Little Rock last night and have rested most of the day today and tried to catch up on sleep, email, etc. I am also fighting off some sort of bug that I picked up on my travels. Today I am not sneezing but am kinda hoarse and have a cough. No fever...so it will probably be gone soon. I didn't visit mom tonight since I didn't want to expose her to the germ but I will go tomorrow if I feel better. She is so cute when I visit....everyday is like the First time. She just smiles and tells me how glad she is to see me. Obviously forgetting that I was just there the day before. I feel sure that this is where I am suppose to be for awhile to see that smile. Eventhough I miss my routine, friends, church, etc from Alabama. I will make friends here and get involved in the church and community and that will make it better. Who knows what will happen.
Red Rover, Red Rover, send cute, financially stable, emotionally mature men right over! ha ha
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy Birthday America!
Today is the 4th of July and I am posting to this blog from the basement apartment of my cousin, Debbie in Russellville, Arkansas. My house sold and I closed on the 20th of June and was outta there the same day. Jason and Fe'de came and helped me pack up and then Keri and Chad and the boys came and helped me finish the job. I couldn't have done it without all of them.
I took pictures around the outside of the house as I said goodbye to an incredibly wonderful home. At one time it WAS a great home...full of love and laughter. However, it did become just a house. A nice house but still, just a house. I am hoping that it will once again be full of love and laughter with the new family. After a few days in Louisiana helping Keri and Chad move, I headed for Arkansas. The cats (Callie and Izzy) and I arrived in Arkansas on Monday. I have been able to visit with mom each day and have started looking for an apartment for my temporary stay here. It was difficult finding a place that would accept a short term lease AND two cats but I think I have found a nice one that has just been built. It has a pool and fitness center and lots of extra stuff. Now I just have to figure out what furniture I need to buy and what I need to move from the storage buildings in Alabama. It should be fun decorating and picking out stuff..
It is wonderful being able to hug and kiss on my mom again and help take care of her needs. I must add here that I really REALLY miss all my friends in Alabama and our routines....water aerobics, going to coffee, the movies, lunch, etc. (I know....... I have only been here for 4 days and am already ready to hit the road again! ha ha) I can hardly believe that I have actually sold the house and have moved out. Another milestone ;-)
I don't have an actual address yet but should soon. The email address and cell phone number will stay the same. I will keep you posted.
God Bless You and God Bless America!
I took pictures around the outside of the house as I said goodbye to an incredibly wonderful home. At one time it WAS a great home...full of love and laughter. However, it did become just a house. A nice house but still, just a house. I am hoping that it will once again be full of love and laughter with the new family. After a few days in Louisiana helping Keri and Chad move, I headed for Arkansas. The cats (Callie and Izzy) and I arrived in Arkansas on Monday. I have been able to visit with mom each day and have started looking for an apartment for my temporary stay here. It was difficult finding a place that would accept a short term lease AND two cats but I think I have found a nice one that has just been built. It has a pool and fitness center and lots of extra stuff. Now I just have to figure out what furniture I need to buy and what I need to move from the storage buildings in Alabama. It should be fun decorating and picking out stuff..
It is wonderful being able to hug and kiss on my mom again and help take care of her needs. I must add here that I really REALLY miss all my friends in Alabama and our routines....water aerobics, going to coffee, the movies, lunch, etc. (I know....... I have only been here for 4 days and am already ready to hit the road again! ha ha) I can hardly believe that I have actually sold the house and have moved out. Another milestone ;-)
I don't have an actual address yet but should soon. The email address and cell phone number will stay the same. I will keep you posted.
God Bless You and God Bless America!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Here We Go Again!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Hope you are all having a great holiday. Here is a big shout out to all Veterans! Thank you Thank you Thank you for our freedom and for your sacrifices. Words really can't express how thankful we are.
I made it through the first year on my own. I walked on the beach under a full moon on the anniversary of Rick's death. I know the moon was beautiful where I was and I can't even imagine how beautiful it is from heaven.
I guess there are some of you out there that haven't heard that I had an offer on the house this past week. Actually I got two offers and as I said earlier, I just felt that it would happen on the anniversary weekend. I did accept one of the offers and the closing is set for June 20th. YIKES ! Now...the plan....what was the plan?? Of course I have been at this point before and that time it didn't work out so I am just a little gun shy. It was a good offer and I am fortunate to have been able to sell in such a depressed market. I have to assume that it will work out this time and the cats and I will be on the streets in 26 days. This will be a very difficult move for me. Leaving OUR house and OUR yard and OUR garden and the memories associated with the house. The good memories I will hang on to and the bad (illness related) I will try to forget.
I will also miss all the great friendships that I have made here. I don't know what I would have done without my support group!! My girls were always there for me. The neighbors I have had here were great too. So I will be leaving a lot of familiar faces, my fitness center, my church, my bell choir, Choir...etc. My routine. I guess I can honestly say that I won't rule out moving back here only into a smaller place. I will, for the meantime, move to Arkansas to be closer to mom for awhile. Most of my stuff will be in storage here in Alabama until I know where I will end up after that. I assume it will be somewhere in Louisiana. I still plan on running the roads quite a bit to see all of my family and friends as often as I can. I also have some old friends that are there for me and they don't care where I live they just love me anyway.
I will keep you posted on the crazyness that will be my life for the next few weeks!
I made it through the first year on my own. I walked on the beach under a full moon on the anniversary of Rick's death. I know the moon was beautiful where I was and I can't even imagine how beautiful it is from heaven.
I guess there are some of you out there that haven't heard that I had an offer on the house this past week. Actually I got two offers and as I said earlier, I just felt that it would happen on the anniversary weekend. I did accept one of the offers and the closing is set for June 20th. YIKES ! Now...the plan....what was the plan?? Of course I have been at this point before and that time it didn't work out so I am just a little gun shy. It was a good offer and I am fortunate to have been able to sell in such a depressed market. I have to assume that it will work out this time and the cats and I will be on the streets in 26 days. This will be a very difficult move for me. Leaving OUR house and OUR yard and OUR garden and the memories associated with the house. The good memories I will hang on to and the bad (illness related) I will try to forget.
I will also miss all the great friendships that I have made here. I don't know what I would have done without my support group!! My girls were always there for me. The neighbors I have had here were great too. So I will be leaving a lot of familiar faces, my fitness center, my church, my bell choir, Choir...etc. My routine. I guess I can honestly say that I won't rule out moving back here only into a smaller place. I will, for the meantime, move to Arkansas to be closer to mom for awhile. Most of my stuff will be in storage here in Alabama until I know where I will end up after that. I assume it will be somewhere in Louisiana. I still plan on running the roads quite a bit to see all of my family and friends as often as I can. I also have some old friends that are there for me and they don't care where I live they just love me anyway.
I will keep you posted on the crazyness that will be my life for the next few weeks!
Friday, May 16, 2008
The Day
Those of you close to me know what that means. When I count the days it comes up to 351 days today. So by the actual Calendar date, May 18th, it will be 353 days. All I know is that it seems like today should be the actual day since it is a Friday and it was on a Friday last year, May 18th, that my world stopped revolving around him. Sometimes I think it stopped revolving at all but I know that isn't true. As the blog title says, Life Goes On, whether we are ready to go on or not. Funny how life is. Doors open, Doors close, more doors open. People come into you life and go out and a lot of times you have no control over it.
I have enjoyed so many happy times with my Children, Grandchildren, and precious friends during the past year. I just returned home from a wonderful trip to Louisiana on Wednesday after celebrating Delaney's 8th birthday and Mother's day with Angie and Keri and their families. They never cease to let me know how loved I am and for that I am truly grateful. Thank you all for loving me :-)
Today I have a Red Hat Luncheon at the Country Club here in Athens. We will eat dessert first (my favorite)(especially since I have been on Nutrisystem for a month now) and we will dress in Red and Purple and wear big floppy hats and purple boas. Then I will come home and work in my yard and garden.
They have scheduled an open house on Sunday here. I will be gone so the cats will have to behave. Say a prayer that a buyer for my house comes to the open house. I am driving to the beach for the weekend after picking up my "almost sister" at the airport. I thought that I should be in a happy place for the weekend and celebrate the renewal of my spirit (I have actually survived a whole year) by being in a place that Rick loved so much. SO, I chose the beach where we walked hand in hand so many times. I'm sure he will be walking there with me too, I just won't see him. He will probably pass however on the outlet mall shopping trips...ha ha The weather is going to be beautiful and we will have a wonderful trip. She is going back home on Wednesday so I don't know how many days we will stay at the beach (but it is never long enough!)
Tah tah for now
I have enjoyed so many happy times with my Children, Grandchildren, and precious friends during the past year. I just returned home from a wonderful trip to Louisiana on Wednesday after celebrating Delaney's 8th birthday and Mother's day with Angie and Keri and their families. They never cease to let me know how loved I am and for that I am truly grateful. Thank you all for loving me :-)
Today I have a Red Hat Luncheon at the Country Club here in Athens. We will eat dessert first (my favorite)(especially since I have been on Nutrisystem for a month now) and we will dress in Red and Purple and wear big floppy hats and purple boas. Then I will come home and work in my yard and garden.
They have scheduled an open house on Sunday here. I will be gone so the cats will have to behave. Say a prayer that a buyer for my house comes to the open house. I am driving to the beach for the weekend after picking up my "almost sister" at the airport. I thought that I should be in a happy place for the weekend and celebrate the renewal of my spirit (I have actually survived a whole year) by being in a place that Rick loved so much. SO, I chose the beach where we walked hand in hand so many times. I'm sure he will be walking there with me too, I just won't see him. He will probably pass however on the outlet mall shopping trips...ha ha The weather is going to be beautiful and we will have a wonderful trip. She is going back home on Wednesday so I don't know how many days we will stay at the beach (but it is never long enough!)
Tah tah for now
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Just Checkin In
Today was a beautiful day in Alabama. I woke up and walked outside to get the paper and thought "boy, we would have already been on the water today fishing!" Then I got dressed and went to church to search for peace and pray for strength. (Okay, I am still asking "why" and screaming "this is SO not fair" in my head.) Then I came home and mowed the yard and washed the car. (musta been that strength I asked for)
The yard looks nice with all the flowers starting to pop out. The grass is still dormant and brown but it hasn't been warm long enough yet for it to green up. In fact, when I flew home on Sunday from a few days with some girlfriends in Florida, we had frost here on Monday and Tuesday. I was cold AND sunburned at the same time.
The Realtors had an open house here the past two Sundays and I have had several showings in the past few weeks. Hopefully I will have an offer before too long and I can get on with my life. I had decided to give myself a year and it will soon be up and I still don't know what I am going to do or exactly where I will go.
I am still running from being alone. Since Rick died 11 months ago I have been on the following trips: Louisiana, Arkansas, Houston-Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Illinois, Florida, Arkansas, Las Vegas-Nevada, Branson-Missouri, Louisiana, Orange Beach-Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Las Vegas-Nevada, Arkansas, Houston-Texas, Louisiana, Coco Beach-Florida.
Most of these trips involved going to see mom in Arkansas or my kids and I would have been to see them more often but they have also been sweet enough to make trips to see me here in Alabama. My next trip will be to Louisiana in May for Delaney's birthday. After that one I may have to stay put for awhile. Gasoline prices are putting a dent in my traveling style. Guess I could get a job but then you get into that "you either have the time or the money thing".
I started the NutriSystem thing when I got back from the beach. Seeing the pictures of me in a bathing suit put me over the edge. (When in the hell did I become this round thing?) The food is really not bad and it is so convenient for one person. No thinking involved - just grab a blue thing for breakfast, green for lunch and red for dinner. I am kinda cranky since I also am not drinking my Milo's Sweet Tea or eating my normal sweets all day but I can do this and with exercise maybe I can get back to normal. I really don't think I have ever done an actual diet in my 56 years.
We will see how the next month goes. Maybe I will start doing crack. I think that it causes you to be skinny (oh, and toothless)
The yard looks nice with all the flowers starting to pop out. The grass is still dormant and brown but it hasn't been warm long enough yet for it to green up. In fact, when I flew home on Sunday from a few days with some girlfriends in Florida, we had frost here on Monday and Tuesday. I was cold AND sunburned at the same time.
The Realtors had an open house here the past two Sundays and I have had several showings in the past few weeks. Hopefully I will have an offer before too long and I can get on with my life. I had decided to give myself a year and it will soon be up and I still don't know what I am going to do or exactly where I will go.
I am still running from being alone. Since Rick died 11 months ago I have been on the following trips: Louisiana, Arkansas, Houston-Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Illinois, Florida, Arkansas, Las Vegas-Nevada, Branson-Missouri, Louisiana, Orange Beach-Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Las Vegas-Nevada, Arkansas, Houston-Texas, Louisiana, Coco Beach-Florida.
Most of these trips involved going to see mom in Arkansas or my kids and I would have been to see them more often but they have also been sweet enough to make trips to see me here in Alabama. My next trip will be to Louisiana in May for Delaney's birthday. After that one I may have to stay put for awhile. Gasoline prices are putting a dent in my traveling style. Guess I could get a job but then you get into that "you either have the time or the money thing".
I started the NutriSystem thing when I got back from the beach. Seeing the pictures of me in a bathing suit put me over the edge. (When in the hell did I become this round thing?) The food is really not bad and it is so convenient for one person. No thinking involved - just grab a blue thing for breakfast, green for lunch and red for dinner. I am kinda cranky since I also am not drinking my Milo's Sweet Tea or eating my normal sweets all day but I can do this and with exercise maybe I can get back to normal. I really don't think I have ever done an actual diet in my 56 years.
We will see how the next month goes. Maybe I will start doing crack. I think that it causes you to be skinny (oh, and toothless)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Marching in Place
Welcome to March! Hello Daylight Savings Time.
Top of the Morning to ya and Hippety Hop Hop Hop. Hide the eggs until you drop. I think that about covers it. I am SO ready for warm weather and SPRING.
I didn't realize that it had been a month since I blogged. Where did that time go? How did I fill my days and nights? Since my last post I made a trip to Arkansas to see mom and my cousins and aunts and uncles. Mom was doing well and was happy to see me. She had gotten over her cold so I was really glad about that since there had been so many cases of flu in the nursing home. I also visited Atkins to see the destruction from the tornado that touched down there. My Aunt Susie lost everything she had when the funnel picked up her trailer and all of its contents. It also destroyed her daughter's house next door where they had taken shelter. So far, I don't believe they have found anything of hers. The trailer and everything gone in the blink of an eye. It was truly a miracle that none of them were hurt.
I got home from Arkansas on Wednesday and on that Friday, Keri and the boys came to my house. On Saturday, Lorretta, Carroll and Aunt Lucy came on their way back to Illinois from Florida. We had a great time together. The Laws left on Sunday but Keri and the boys stayed until Tuesday. We were able to celebrate Austin's 11th birthday with chocolate birthday cake for breakfast!!
Two days later I flew to Houston to see Jason and Mandy. I got to see Mandy's engagement ring up close and personal while I was there. Jason proposed to her while they were in Jamaica earlier in the month. No date has been set yet. I am so excited for them. I LOVE Love!! My grandson Fe'de flew to Houston from New Orleans on Friday night and spent the weekend with us. We had a crawfish boil on Saturday and went to the Museum of Natural History on Sunday. I flew back to Alabama on Tuesday. So....guess I have been home a week now. WHEW!
I have been to the fitness center some but not enough. I am afraid that some day I will be perfectly round. euughhh
Last Saturday I put the house back up for sale. Keri got me hooked up with a new realtor and we will see what happens now. Hopefully it will sell before too long. Apparently I still don't know what the plan is but I know this is the right time to sell. The sign is outside and it is probably on the Internet now but not out in the real estate books yet.
I also decided to take a road trip to Louisiana for Easter. It would just be too weird to be here at Easter alone. Most of the kids and grand kids have come to Alabama for the last three years at Easter. Since I don't want to miss the fun, I will make the drive to their houses and stay for a few days. I haven't been to Louisiana since before Christmas so it is time.
After I return from Louisiana I only have one more trip planned. I am flying to Orlando to one of my best friend's (Linda) house. We are probably going to go to a beach for a few days. (wish I had lost that weight I meant to lose) I will be there from the 8th until the 13th. It should really be a good time.
Nothing else is planned after that. Maybe I will go to work. Maybe I will just go crazy. Who knows. I will keep you posted.
Have a Blessed Easter.
Top of the Morning to ya and Hippety Hop Hop Hop. Hide the eggs until you drop. I think that about covers it. I am SO ready for warm weather and SPRING.
I didn't realize that it had been a month since I blogged. Where did that time go? How did I fill my days and nights? Since my last post I made a trip to Arkansas to see mom and my cousins and aunts and uncles. Mom was doing well and was happy to see me. She had gotten over her cold so I was really glad about that since there had been so many cases of flu in the nursing home. I also visited Atkins to see the destruction from the tornado that touched down there. My Aunt Susie lost everything she had when the funnel picked up her trailer and all of its contents. It also destroyed her daughter's house next door where they had taken shelter. So far, I don't believe they have found anything of hers. The trailer and everything gone in the blink of an eye. It was truly a miracle that none of them were hurt.
I got home from Arkansas on Wednesday and on that Friday, Keri and the boys came to my house. On Saturday, Lorretta, Carroll and Aunt Lucy came on their way back to Illinois from Florida. We had a great time together. The Laws left on Sunday but Keri and the boys stayed until Tuesday. We were able to celebrate Austin's 11th birthday with chocolate birthday cake for breakfast!!
Two days later I flew to Houston to see Jason and Mandy. I got to see Mandy's engagement ring up close and personal while I was there. Jason proposed to her while they were in Jamaica earlier in the month. No date has been set yet. I am so excited for them. I LOVE Love!! My grandson Fe'de flew to Houston from New Orleans on Friday night and spent the weekend with us. We had a crawfish boil on Saturday and went to the Museum of Natural History on Sunday. I flew back to Alabama on Tuesday. So....guess I have been home a week now. WHEW!
I have been to the fitness center some but not enough. I am afraid that some day I will be perfectly round. euughhh
Last Saturday I put the house back up for sale. Keri got me hooked up with a new realtor and we will see what happens now. Hopefully it will sell before too long. Apparently I still don't know what the plan is but I know this is the right time to sell. The sign is outside and it is probably on the Internet now but not out in the real estate books yet.
I also decided to take a road trip to Louisiana for Easter. It would just be too weird to be here at Easter alone. Most of the kids and grand kids have come to Alabama for the last three years at Easter. Since I don't want to miss the fun, I will make the drive to their houses and stay for a few days. I haven't been to Louisiana since before Christmas so it is time.
After I return from Louisiana I only have one more trip planned. I am flying to Orlando to one of my best friend's (Linda) house. We are probably going to go to a beach for a few days. (wish I had lost that weight I meant to lose) I will be there from the 8th until the 13th. It should really be a good time.
Nothing else is planned after that. Maybe I will go to work. Maybe I will just go crazy. Who knows. I will keep you posted.
Have a Blessed Easter.
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