Counting Blessings

Who ever said life would be easy or fair? I think that is what WE want and wish for. I know life isn't either. Life is good, but it can be tough, a struggle. Even with all the trials and tribulations, I do have blessings, too. Many blessings! God's Will will be done, all will be cared for! Thanks be to God!

Eat Smart

These are so yummy! And, at Big Lots, they cost $2.00 a bag!
I guess it's not so smart eating to devour the bag in one setting.

Collared

Liebe has to wear this collar for a few days because of her surgery.
She has worked so hard to get that thing off today!

My Alma Mater

Arlington High,
School of our praise
We’ll ere be true to you,
All of our days.
We’ll always cheer
The green and white
And owe our fortunes to you,
Arlington High.

My Rose Bracelet

This belonged to my mom.
She loved roses.

Book Club

I'm reading this book for July's book club selection.
It's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
by Rebecca Skloot.

The Groom Closet

Lucy and Liebe went to the groomers.
We asked for a summer cut since we will be heading to Texas in a few weeks.

YIKES!

Lucy has a squirrel tail! Liebe could pass for an apricot rat!

Granny's Blanket

This is a very special blanket that my mom gave to Tony when he was just a wee baby.

I wash this blanket every week...for 16 years! It is well loved!

Living with Coyotes

I went on a walk this morning with my dog, KC.
It's warm, breezy, sunny.

We citizens of Broomfield have to be on our guard for coyotes.
I've seen quite a few, but only when they were trying to get to their dens.
Never have been approached by one, hope I never do!

The trail I'm on this morning is by the Tom Frost Reservoir
(stocked with bluegill, bass, catfish...so I'm told).

I was walking along at a good clip when KC spotted these mallards in the weeds. She about yanked my arm off! I was able to get a couple photos before they took flight to the safety of the water.

Part of the path is very low. I'm below the tree here.
Feels like I'm on a prairie in the middle of nowhere.

Awe...there are the mountains!
They seem so far away, but actually they are only a 30 minute drive west.

Almost at the end of the walk and KC spots the prairie dogs. Those little animals yip when they bark. They aren't afraid of a big dog! After all, they live among they coyotes, too.

Full Circle

I like to revisit my old blog posts for several reasons. I don't want to sound like a broken record repeating the same stuff over and over, however, if I do, I want to add a new twist to it. It also helps come up with topics to write about. And, third, it's good to see where I have been and determine where I might be going. This blog entry really comes full circle from when I started journaling here.

In June 2008, my mom entered into hospice care. That was a difficult time. My world changed. I stepped up my visits to Texas so I could spend time with my parents. It was the first time I thought about what life would be like without my mom!

In June 2009, the pergola was our families focal point. We actually did lose my mom earlier in the year. It was so incredibly difficult to move past February 10, 2009. We pulled together a bundle of fun energy into Tony's birthday and the building of the pergola!

In June 2010, we went to Danny's family reunion and various vacation sites along the way. Little did I know, it would be the last Father's Day I would spend with my dad. We had such a fun time as a family this summer.

And here I am, June 2011. I lost my dad on April 10, 2011. Just three short years ago, I was introduced to fragile mortality. The idea of being without my mom was so incredibly scary. Here I am today without either of my parents. Full circle. Three years.

Moving on as I always try to do, my son will be 16 years old in a few days! What?! Sixteen is another rite of passage. In the mist of loss, there is still reason to celebrate life. This year is no different. Full circle. Sixteen years.