ends and beginings

Pictures: gravy time; plus turkey time; Mark; Ben learning gravy duty; Bob and Katie; Jean, Erik and Ev; Mark and Jennie; moving the ramp....x3; the Maki niche before the plaque; angel looking over Dave.

Okay, So the new update...sorry it's been a few days. Thanksgiving at the other Maki's was great. Good food and Ben Maki is learning gravy duty to take over for Dave. Thanks Ben...it's in good hands. Friday at 10am we went to Riverview Cemetery to see Dave's ashes put in the niche. Wow! Of course I had to touch the container several times. It was very low key. For lack of a better song, I sang the one that had been in my head for 2 day...... "Brand New Key" as I gave everyone a hug. Maki's, YaYa's and Mister Edd were represented. It was very cold and windy....but we made it through. Then we came over to our house for brunch and I got help moving the deck ramp and a couple other things. I went back to the cemetery on Saturday to make sure everything was back in place and took a couple pictures. The plaque should be here soon.

First day back at Lakeland today....lots of hugs and support. Thanks everyone! It was a good choice and I'm happy. Have to admit I had a few tears.....missing you Dave.

peace, love, groove.

Dinner last Tuesday

Pictures: Catherine, me and Michelle; the ginger bread house.

Dinner at Tippecanoe Place in South Bend. The rooms were beautiful, food was very good, company was great!

Traverse City trip

.

Pictures: Julie and Lee at Red Mesa Grill; Joni at Red Mesa; dinner at Poppycocks; Julie's meal; Lee's meal; Joni couldn't resist the babysitters (the adults are hiding so their not in the picture).

Great memories from my last business trip to Traverse City. So many good restaurants there. Joni couldn't resist taking some pictures of our dinners. Red Mesa Grill has the best Margarita's in the world...well in Michigan for sure. Thanks for going with me Julie and Joni!

Done......Done.....Done

I know.. a turkey is done, I am finished. I can't believe a whole week went by and I didn't have any time to write. Lot's to catch up on. Yesterday was my last day in sales....back to a clinical job Monday. Last week I made my last trip to Traverse City. Had 2 inservices that day (GR and Holland) and then met 2 of my YaYa friends in Holland and they came along. It was so fun to have them with me. We ate and drank all evening, had a great room with a bay view and then they sat in the car all day Friday while I did all my stops coming back lake side. It was good to get done and SO fun to not have to drive alone. Monday night I had dinner with Catherine and an old friend Michelle at a beautiful restaurant in SB. Great to be with them. Tuesday I had lunch with 5 of the nurses that have the same job I did in Kalamazoo. So great to spend some time with them. They are a group of beautiful, inspiring and smart women. Hang in there friends! Wednesday I had to turn all my "stuff" in at 11:30. Car, printer, computer etc. My trunk was full. Best thing is I don't have all this extra shit in my house. YEAH! Then lunch with current and old work friends in GR. I had 2 beers for lunch...how fun. Linder gave me a ride to Holland and Catherine brought me home. A new chapter has definitely begun.

Today the Maki/Smiths are having dinner at Phil and Loni's. I plan to bring all the cards and letters I got so everyone can look through. Have some more thank-you cards to get done too. I just keep thinking the last week how rich Dave left me. I'm more than thankful. Love you Dave.

peace, love, groove

Leaves....falling down

Pictures: the maple tree is turning..the leaves are falling; camp fire in the front yard; fall clouds.

Busy day getting things in line for my job change. Went to the Humane Society today and gave them some things....towels and old leashes. I also sponsored a large cage for a year in honor of all who came and helped us in Dave's last month or two. I didn't have enough room to put every one's name or even initials..but know it's for all of you. Meals, sitting with Dave, taking him to appointments, bringing by and loaning us equipment, helping getting him to his chair and to the car....... I just didn't know how to really thank you all. So I hope we all will be helping some cats and dogs at the local Humane Society. There will be a sign that says "Dave Maki's PLG friends". Thanks to you all from the bottom of my heart.

love, peace, groove,

Lee

A New Chapter Starts

I decided to leave my current job. I know everyone says not to make any major decisions or life changes for at least a year after losing a spouse. This decision takes me back to a clinical job right where I worked full time a little more than 4 years ago. Time to get back to clinical care, real job satisfaction, and less driving. Notice that I'm not stating my current employers name..... last day is November 24th, long weekend and then start at Lakeland Monday, November 29th.

Partied and had a campfire with the Kings, Lesters stopped by too, last Wednesday (the day I gave notice). What a beautiful evening for a fire. The dogs were in "seventh heaven." That evening I laid down on the bed facing the foot and petting Nikki. Suddenly there was a cool breeze blowing in my face. Didn't seem to feel it on my hand, just my face. Yes I had a few beers, but it was honestly a cool breeze. Felt like Dave was saying "good choice."

More to come...watching the last Harry Potter movie before next weekend.

peace, love, groove

And Now....Tribute Pictures

Well, most of them are in the photo gallery. Here's a direct link. If you had trouble getting to the rest of the Band Jam 70's party pictures...here's a link to that one. Wow...lots of great memories. I'll try to finish getting the rest of the pictures on in the next 2 days or so. Really have to work on leaves tomorrow since it will be in the upper 60's...oh...wait, but it will be dark here by 6:30. I'll have some time. Nite for now.

peace, love, groove

Monday, Monday

Went to see Secretariat yesterday. Nice story, what a great horse. Still looking forward to Harry Potter. I went to a dinner/party with the Dines on Saturday; had a wonderful time and got to see the Raycrafts and Greg Horn...what a surprise. We're almost done with "Thanks" cards, that is until I get the list from the Humane Society this week. Still overwhelmed at times about the response from everyone. One moment it feels like I'm all caught up, the next I'm behind. My guess is that's how the brain deals with things like this. My heart is still full of peace and love from my Dave. What amazing year + we all had. Gotta get to work.....

peace, love, groove

Added Pictures

The sun is finally shining...snow is melting away. It's suppose to be 50 degrees tomorrow, 60 on Monday. I added pictures that Phil took the Band Jam 70's party photos. There's some good stuff and lot so of it. I just finished. Will put up pictures from the Tribute soon. Working on some video too.

Dinner last night with the other Makis. I can't believe how fast the week went by. Hoping to finish some thank you cards this weekend. I have to say that I've been amazed at the number of cards I received. Thank you all for thinking of me and our family. More tomorrow.

peace, love, groove

"New Snow"

Pictures: Cat in a box; Ev taking a nap with a new friend a couple weeks ago; Jennie a couple weeks ago; SNOW and the heated bird bath is working!

Found the camera last week, so here's a few older pictures plus evidence that the birdbath is working just fine. Lots of birds eating out of the front yard feeders this morning. Gotta get on the road, but thought I'd take a minute to update and let everyone know...it's SNOWING here.

peace, love, groove

Steam bath

I got the bird bath up on Sunday. Got it on sale and found the bolts and screws were missing. I took it to Lowe's and found a bolt, got a couple of screws from the garage.... up it went. But does it work? So they instructions say it has an automatic thermostat. I put water in on Sunday and it didn't seem very warm. Monday...still not very warm. Well this morning I look out the front door and there was steam above the bird bath. IT WORKS! Then I saw a bird drinking water. Ah! I went and felt the water and it is still sorta cool...warmer than the air. It's perfect. The birds like it and no bird soup.

My work car didn't start this morning, battery is dead and I don't know why. I took my own car to Holland. I tried to jump it tonight but have to charge the charger more. Got the lights to turn on. I'll try again in the morning. Talked to human resources today. They will send me a form so I can send them a death certificate. I still have a lot to do. Thinking we'll get Dave's ashes in his niche Thanksgiving weekend. Nieces and nephews can be here. It's the final step. I remember when our first dog Sadie died and we had her cremated and kept her ashes in the living room. After about 6 months Dave came to me and said "I can't stand it anymore, Sadie wants to be buried and I can't look at her anymore". We put her in the back yard in the spot she always went to when the sun was out. Buried her with a full unopened bottle of Bell's beer. She use to love beer. He was right. She needed a resting place. We'll get you to your place soon Dave. love you

peace, love, groove

It's November?

Back to work yesterday, I had quite a bit of catch up to do. Also looking at all my options. I'm going to Holland and Grand Haven today, GR on Wednesday. It will be good to go out some. I haven't been driving a lot for almost 3 weeks...we'll see how that goes.

Tim and Joni continue to be amazing, helping me go through Dave's equipment to see what we should do with everything. Well..really Tim has done most of it. I still have so much to do. Lots of memories to go through. And it's time to start planning the annual Christmas Cookie Exchange Party.

Okay- I've told a few people (don't think I put this on the blog) that some things have moved or changed the first couple weeks after Dave died. A couple may have had explanations, but one is for sure. One morning I woke up and the alarm clock time was an hour ahead. So...maybe I changed it trying to set the alarm the night before? Well, I hadn't turn on the alarm. Last night I really looked at the clock to get the time correct and I had to push in a very small button on the back for the clock....took me awhile to find it so doubt that could happen by mistake. So I think I'm convinced it happened without me. (I think)

Gotta run.....

peace, love, groove