Live Well, Laugh Hard!

I can't sleep tonight yet I should be able to.  My Guy is in the next room snoaring lightly; healthy and here.  A dear friend is not as fortunate.  Last night she and her guy were home and within maybe a two hour time span, she lost him.  He passed away very suddenly.  No illness; no health issues.  Gone. Like. That.

Last night I could not let My Guy go.  I listened to him breathe.  And tonight, I wasn't sleepy but I crawled under the covers to just hug him...but I can't drift off.  My heart is so heavy for my friend.

Only a month ago, I received THE perfect birthday card.  It's all about laughing.  She knows I love a good laugh.  I thought I'd post a couple of GREAT pictures.  One a few years old, the other just last week.

# 2 Son 3 years ago, ROARING at his uncle.

(This picture will be a fixture in my mind forever!)

and then just last week....I get this:

... on my cell phone!

Two friends that probably DID fall off of their chairs.

And so my wish for you is:

We simply must live in the present and my blogging friend, Linsey has a beautiful
message about doing just that.)

Live well and laugh hard my friends!!!!

Let's Just Skip 13!

Spring, 1982 (Connecticut): Brothers + Half-Sis...

I had been married for five years.  My brothers and I traveled from Texas to attend Dad's (3rd) wedding.  My half-sister from Dad's wife #2 was in attendance as well. 

I've told you before how very dashing Dad is.  And once again he got himself a fine wife.  Stepmom #2 was only 9 years older than me.  She was accomplished: a fabulous interior designer, worldly, a gourmet cook, she had it all.

It started with Stepmom #1. She was the one who wore the itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny bikini, the Bain de Soleil bod, clad in designer clothing; picture perfect.  And I was 13 when they married.  I really could have used a Fairy Godmother.   Do you remember 13, girls?  Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!  No WONDER the #13 has an evil connotation!  She would have said:  "Don't look in the mirror with your eyes.  Someday you'll appreciate your auburn hair, curly locks.  You'll revel in your loud (obnoxious) laughter.  Look at yourself the way God sees you!"

Fast forward....about 13 years.  The wedding in '82.  It was classy in a Connecticut kinda way!  In their home, intimate with family and close friends.  I was a grown up so no biggie that he was marrying...again. Enter Fairy Godmother:  "Oh, Vava...you may not be reed thin or have your Daddy close by; BUT you are married to a man that loves you.  Respects you."

Stepmom #2 and I have become dear friends over the years; but it took work on my part.  The daughter-jealous of any woman-taking time away from Dad-syndrome would wax and wane.

I look back and think how silly I was.  I never needed a Fairy Godmother!  No matter how much or how little my earthly Dad was around my heavenly Father never left my side. 

I'd like to tell all 13 year old girls that whatever they feel now, good or bad; ask their Fairy Godmother for this wish:  "...please introduce me to The One."   And my prayer is that it doesn't take 35 years or so to shed that 13 year old skin.



What's Hue with You?

I'm feeling golden...we have a (pretty) harmonious home life going.  The temp has dropped allowing me to wear my favorite clothing.  Blogs are bursting with beautiful vignettes of golden pumpkins, mouth watering recipes for scones and pumpkin lattes.

And so, with a few minutes on hand I strolled through the homestead and noticed not only do I FEEL golden (aka "well"), my home has layers of golden hues.  Wow!

And it makes me wonder if everyone's home is the same hue that they put on their body?  Their favorite color?  I was born in September, does that have a huge impact?  I loved the book "September."  When I was in high school I CHOSE to wear olive green (long before it was hip or cool).  One friend back then remarked:  "Why are you wearing army green?"  We are still friends today.  And I still wear muddy, army, olive green!  And so does my place.  With gold, copper, rusty hues.  Hhhhmmmm.

Even my business card reflects my coloring (I have a really good graphics artist that "nailed me.")  Am I boring...or just know what I like?  I think I know what makes me feel good!

Autumn does.