26 years ago + one day

Dave and me July 2010

Yesterday would have been our 26th wedding anniversary and I can say I have no regrets.  It was a great journey.  Love you Dave!

peace, love, groove

Puppies adjusting and getting back on track

I've been taking one dog each day to "dogie day care" during the week.  I know...it sounds kinda strange, but there are some real benefits.  The dogs get socialized with other dogs and Nikki is learning how to play better.  Nikki goes there M-W-F and Ruthie goes T-Th.  I probably should have done this a long time ago.  It's a step in the right direction.

This weekend I'm going to North Carolina for another WOCNCB committee meeting.  I went there back in April and it's time again.  I just have a little free time Friday night, the rest of the time if full of meetings.  It seems to be good timing for a little get away.

peace, love, groove

The Misconception of strength

What does it mean to be strong?  Many are left alone through similar or different circumstances than mine, but what happens then?  How does someone "recover" from loosing a spouse and best friend?

Following the one year mark, this issue becomes more apparent to me.  How do I replace my best friend in the whole world?  The person I could complain to about stuff.  He would just listened...no judgements... no repercussions...he was just were there for me.  He was my biggest cheerleader. That person is gone.  When someone disappointments or lets me down, what is there to do?  It's not always that "they" were wrong, just that it hurt me.  We all have that happen to us.

It has been of the most important for me to support our friends and family through loosing Dave.  In the end, who supports me....

It isn't that no one loves or supports me.  It's the realization that life is going forward for us all and my life isn't, and shouldn't be, the center of every one's life.  It's the realization that I can forever count on my two dogs, cat and me.  I told Dave..."don't worry about me, I'll be okay".  I may have lied.  I didn't mean to.

And we gathered 10-10-11

Catherine and Julie arriving

Phils' new car arrives

Phil is helping Ev (mom Maki) 

The gentleman

Roses and home grown flowers brought by Catherine T. and Kay

A toast and no glass for Loni

The group hanging out with Dave

Dave's niche

Julie with Dave

Kay, Kristin, Piot and Catherine T

Tim, Cookie, Chuck and Phil...who's helping Ev get back in the car?

Lindsey, Sue and Joni

Finally...the pictures from 10-10-11.  We had 2 toasts to Dave and just kinda hung out by his niche before pizza.  Thanks for sharing this day with me, our friends and family.  Love you from the bottom of my heart....

peace, love, groove

Last day for the Tribute video

I'm pretty sure this is the last day for the Tribute to be viewed.  I did buy a copy of it.  I've been trying to get some pictures up from Monday 10-10-11.  Several of us went to Riverview and had a couple toasts for Dave.  Then we went to Silverbeach pizza.  The Lesters, Kings, Catherine Thomas and John Payne came over after for a camp fire and ....can you guess???? Yes, Tales of Topographic Oceans.  I had the week off and listened to "Tales" two more times.  It was good to hear it twice with others around.  These were the first times I have listened to it since the Friday before Dave died.  We hear it together.

I'll get the pictures up soon.  Thanks to all who remember us.  Love you all.


peace, love, groove

It's Breat Cancer Awareness Month

Thought I'd share a few pictures I didn't earlier.  First the beach last Saturday.  YAYAs did another Komen walk and this one was right along Lake Michigan in St Joe.

Here's a couple YAYAs walking.This is the back of my shirt.  Sandi was a friend from Bill Knapp's days who just died.  I hope she meets Dave.  She'll like him

peace, love, groove

Pictures from 10/9/11

Tim, Cookie and Chuck...ending the night

  John, Kay, Buddy and Tim

Joni and John by the fire

Sue, Terry, Scott and Cookie

Listening to music

Noah with his hat

Chuck, Tim, John and Lindsey

 
       Done with songs...next is YES

Al, Phil and Mark

Joni and Liz

Enjoying the day- Kevin

Family meeting

Sue, Loni, Julie; Kay and others

Liz, Mark, Dan and Mark

Link to video from 10/9/11.  Pictures to come.  We had great weather in the back yard and great food.  We listened to Claire Fisher (a instructor from Dick Grove days), Chick Corea and of coarse YES.  Thanks to all who came over, your continued support and love is very important to me.  And thanks to those who listened to music Dave liked or performed in his honor.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAzEPrKq3KM


peace, love, groove

10-10-10

Dave's favorite Chick Corea song....or at least the one that brought tears to his eyes with it's beautiful melody and harmonies: Armando's Rhumba. Please watch this live version with Chick and his piano in honor of Dave today.

peace, love, groove

10-9-11

Today will be a day of smiles, laughter and tears. I miss Dave's voice, his laughter, his smile......I'm happy to be sharing a campfire with friends and family who love Dave too. I can never thank you enough for the love and support you gave and continue to give us. If your not in town, just listen to some music Dave loved.....Chick Corea, Yellowjackets, Yes, Tower of Power, Frank Zappa, Todd Rundgren, Steeley Dan (to name a few)...or Dave himself.

Then I remember that life does go on. There's new music to love and new adventures to come.

Until me meet again.....peace, love, groove

Don't Worry.....Be Happy

We're going to be okay. I started the dogs in day care. They both are doing well there, even Nikki. Her and I will be starting obedience school mid-November. Trainers feel we'll be okay. Just need to let the dogs know...I'm the alpha! I love to learn new languages....hehehe.

Plans for Sunday....a big ass campfire and music (live and recorded) in honor of Dave, loved by Dave or performed by Dave.

Plans for Monday- toast at the cemetery, pizza (one of Dave's favs) and another campfire for the big weights (or those who don't have to work in the morning).

My- how the year flew by. Now, to move forward. Miss and love you always Dave!

peace, love, groove

A great weekend in Kentucky

Pictures: new license plate, Catherine talking to Dr. Black; ex KCI co-workers- Susan, Elaine, me, LouAnn; Sue and Denise at dinner; Shrimp and grits; beer; Beth shows off a horse; Alice Cooper guitar at Hard Rock Cafe.

Great but busy weekend in Louisville for WOCN regional conference. Good food, good friends and lots of info. Next year we are helping put this yearly event on in Grand Rapids. Left hand from dog bite is healing...oh I may not have put this on the blog. I broke up a fight between Ruthie and Nikki last Monday after work. Ended up in the ER with 3 bites in my left hand (2 teeth each) and 1 on my leg. I got a Tetanus shot and antibiotics....thankfully pain pills which I've used at night. I can't believe how much it hurt. The swelling was finally down today and minimal bruising left. Glad to be on the mend. I'm going to go back to dog school with Nikki and taking the dogs to day care for awhile. What a year for them...Dave gone, Audrey gone, alone in the day. We'll regroup and make it. Thanks to a wonderful brother in law, good neighbors and my ER friends (well, really just Catherine) we did okay.

peace, love, groove