Back to Michigan

Pictures: Flowers at the hotel; Duke's Chapel; view inside; chapel's organ pipes; seafood dinner; finally got my diet Pepsi; Lee and Jennie at dinner (a little dark)

Home sweet home! I didn't realize how much I needed some sun and warm weather...wow! My biggest issue in North Carolina..the hotel didn't have diet Pepsi. I finally got some Friday night. I was excited to see my niece Jennie, who is learning how to be an organic farmer in North Carolina. We went to dinner Saturday night. Still it was so great to get home Sunday, even with the snow on the ground. I missed my dogs. They are really my heart and soul these days.

Off to North Carolina

I'm leaving tomorrow am for a WOCN committee meeting in Durham. Reminds me of the song "leaving on a jet plane" but I know I'll be back Sunday afternoon. I don't love to fly. My mom is coming to stay with the dogs and cat. I've never been there and have a niece and some friends that live near. Hope to take lots of pictures and have some fun between our day long meetings. I started a will (just in case). If I forgot you and you want something, just let my mom or Phil know. Isn't that kinda funny? Dave and I never made wills. Now that it's just me I want to make sure the dogs and cat are taken care of. I decided I'd like a small ceremony by the niche with live music when I die. And it would be cool if friends and family wanted to have a fund raiser for the humane society in my name.

I'm still trying to sell my old spinet piano. It was a gift to me when I moved to St Joe in 1973 or so. Dave thought we should take the sound board (is that the correct term?) out and hang it on the wall as art. I don't think my walls would hold it....anyone interested if I don't sell it? Maybe I can find an artist.

I have to finish packing. Thanks to all who follow. It's comforting to know you are all out there.

peace, love, groove

Things that need to stay the same

Pictures: Last weekend Audrey on the deck; 4 bags of poop and a fire; Nikki enjoying the afternoon.

Lots of sunshine the last 2 weekends. Only 1/2 of the snow melted last weekend, there's very little left now. Friday night I went to shopping with Catherine and got some things I need for my committee meeting next week. I'll be flying to Raleigh, North Carolina Thursday and returning on Sunday. Yesterday I finished up some shopping, cleaning and filling the bird feeders. I got all the x-mas decorations down in front of the house and worked on a Bluebird house. I'm trying to attract Bluebirds.....we'll see. The bad thing about spring coming is all of the winter dog poop. There's no other way to say it, it must be picked up. I also did an hour or so on that with a small fire going. Today I'm going to see the play Anne Frank by the Twin City Players with most of the YaYas, boyfriends and my mom.

Catherine and I talked about some of the things I have to leave in place. Like our phone message, I just can't take Dave's name off. There's things I have to keep.....his cane, some clothing, medicine bag to name a few. I guess I still need them. Lately I've been smelling toasted Cardamom bread in the house. Not sure if its Dave. His mother makes us some every Christmas.

peace, love, groove

Another hump day

And a book club meeting. This month we read the 2nd book in the Stieg Larsson series. I see why a lot of friends have told me this was there favorite. For you that don't know..I lost my phone Monday. Sue helped after work and finally found it about 20 feet from the back door in the snow. I was inside calling it over and over again... a dog got it, probably Nikki. It works and all is well.

Spring is in the air here. I can't wait to get in the yard and get a couple projects done. It was a good day today. I felt full of love. Thanks Dave.....I just keep thinking it's you.

Valentine's Day

Pictures: Linda and Mike's rescue- Suky (okay, I don't know how to spell her name, but she's a sweet heart...and she's a relative of Ruthie's)

Another first- Valentine's Day without Dave. Hmmmmmm, well I don't have to get a gift, but I also won't get one. It's not that big of a deal really. Valentine's Day really wasn't a huge thing for Dave and I, although he did give me flowers through the years....mostly roses. I always dried them out and I have them in 2 glass containers which includes the flowers from my wedding bouquet ( or they dried themselves out). Tim came over yesterday and we got Dave's car going again... got it out of the snow, oil change and a new battery. I went through the "junk" Tim took out and found 2 pair of Dave's gloves, some cassette tapes and cigarettes. That made me cry. Isn't that kinda strange? The holiday doesn't bother me, but some of Dave's things .... oh well, it has to be done. Now I have to get a detailing on the car and it's up for sale. It's in the 40s today with occasional wind, I plan to have small fire tonight for Dave.

I went to GR Friday night to see Linda. We made margaritas and ate lots of good food. Just hanging out with her and her three dogs was great fun. It seems sorta strange when I drive to GR now, not long ago I use to be there 2 to 3 times a week.

I made a big pot of chili a couple hours ago and its simmering. Next I'll finish laundry and some cleaning, get the recycling and trash out and then it's chili and a fire for me and the dogs.

peace, love, groove

Wednesday..there's still snow

I walked in the back back yard Sunday to feed the birds, the snow went easily up to my knees in some areas. We've had sun the last couple days and the roads are melting, but there is still a lot of snow in our yards. I guess it will be a little while before we can have a campfire.

I saw a friend of Dave's today. He has small cell lung cancer..a different kind then Dave had. It was great to see him, however it seems that the fight is never ending. I hope we find more cures soon. I should say- I know we will. I think often of all our friends and hope that everyone is coping, hope they're not keeping it from me if they are sad. Dave was always most worried about his friends and leaving them. I love that about him. He would want me to check on everyone. Maybe I should start doing that.

This weekend I'm going to GR with Beckie to stay with our KCI friend Linda. My mom will come stay with the dogs and cat. Then I need to get serious about watching the rest of the Oscar nominations I haven't seen yet. I think only 2 or 3 major movies are left. Time for dinner.

peace, love, groove

Pictures: Joni checking her phone; Loni takes a turn with the cheese hat; Tim getting some snacks; Ready for the game- Lester's brought over some Green Bay stuff; Tim's the cheese head; Nancy-Boy eating dog food....again.

So we're showing we were good Green Bay fans. Mark Lester brought us each a shirt or sweatshirt to wear...Tim thought his would be to hot so went for the GQ look.

It's snowing... big fluffy flakes. I'm going over to the neighbors for dinner.

peace, love, groove

A Cat, 4 Guys and the Packers

Nancy- boy has decided to eat dog food. He's had some now and then, but over the last couple weeks he's eating it more. First, I think he hates the low-cal cat food I bought (he's fat per the Vet). Second, I think it's a territorial thing. It's taken him 2 years to go from the basement, to the back hallway, to the up upstairs, to the bathroom and now the kitchen. The dogs will eat and drink with him and then they'll chase each other to the basement door. The vet says he has to have some cat food because there's an important enzyme in it. We'll have work on that.

We went to see Four Spacious Guys Saturday night. For those of you who don't know, this is part of Mister Edd. Edd, Tim, Mark and Lindsey play more of an unplugged feel. Great to see them all playing. And of course last night was the SUPER BOWL. I'm sure I wrote about this last year, but I'll repeat. We've gone to the other Maki's for Super Bowl Sunday for years... we eat a lot of food and watch the commercials...and a little or a lot of the game. Truly, most of us don't care too much who wins. Last year I was in Florida for a work meeting and missed it (Dave was there). This year we cheered and cheered for Green Bay since they are the Lester's team. It was Super fun and we liked a lot of the commercials too.

I should get going to work. I have pictures that I'll have to post later. Happy Monday!

peace, love, groove

Here's the proof.

SNOW, SNOW, SNOW!!!!!

Snow...but worse in Chicago and Indiana

I can't get pictures to post... we had a lot of snow but its okay. Will post pictures tomorrow. I got to work.... very few cars on the road this morning. Our friend Catherine Thomas leaves for Africa tomorrow. Hope she travels safe and has our love surrounding her the whole time. From a snow warning to a very hot climate.....what a journey.


love, peave, groove

Here comes the snow......

The storm of the decade...or more? Really? Wow. I was in GR today talking about wounds with the nursing students at GVSU. It's my last time. I need to find a replacement. Sunday I went to the Princess Di exhibit. Her crown was AMAZING in person. That and her wedding dress were worth the $. We couldn't take pictures. But, I learned a tip from her. She had weights in her hemlines so they wouldn't blow up too much...I bet someone else thought of that first.

We're snug in bed with a heater keeping us extra toasty. Everyone be safe.

Peace, love, groove