Laying of the Wreath

Each year at the DFW Veterans' Cemetary, there is a ceremony where wreaths are put on graves of the fallen.  We didn't attend last year but we went this year with some dear friends of my parents.  Mom and I did well - we didn't cry until we got home which is definitely an accomplishment!  Maybe it was because our friends were keeping us laughing!  Mr. Vessel's sense of humor is like my dad's.  He says some of the funniest things and even seemed to appreciate it when I told him his comment sounded like something Daddy would say!

The color guard played an active part of posting colors and saluting as each wreath for each service was brought forward and placed.

The bagpiper MUST have been colder than the rest of us!  But he did a great job and was a nice addition to the service.

This is the wreath for the Army - where Daddy served.

Volunteers put wreaths on many graves throughout the cemetary. 

I'm going to close out this blog at the end of the year - today - and publish it as a hardback book.  That way, we'll have a permanent document to read and remember and Eli can read it when he gets older and begins to ask questions about Grandad.  One more post will occur this afternoon before I send the blogs to BLURB.  Thanks for reading.

Time Passes

We've made it through another holiday season - with the exception of New Year's - without Daddy.  And, as time has passed, I feel less sad, at times for missing Daddy.  It isn't, of course, the life I thought we'd have at this point but it is what it is.  That being said, Mom is coping well - sometimes better than the rest of us!

I sometimes wish my present self could go back in time to my past self and give myself a big hug and tell her things will be okay.  Because, even though it's different without Daddy, it's okay.  Kinda like a new normal?

Anniversary, part 2

We visited Daddy's stone and put some more flowers in the grass.  The cemetary has rules about when you can put things on the graves and then stuff is picked up on weird intervals.

It was very sad.  We had a difficult time.  I know, in my heart, that Daddy isn't there and I know he doesn't need me to visit him there.  I talk to him all the time.  But, something about seeing his name on that stone...yuck!!

Eli said last week that when he's a pilot, he'd like to fly his airplane up to Heaven to see Grandad.  How sweet is my boy?

How many pictures of the cemetary do you need, though, right?

Miss you Daddy!!

A Year Anniversary

We made it past the summer and into the beginning of the school year.  We had some difficult times without Daddy, of course.  More on that in another post.

Instead of staying home on the anniversary of Daddy's death, we decided to go to the Mesquite Rodeo.  I know that Daddy would have loved taking Eli to the rodeo for the first time.  (We hadn't been since Eli was 6 weeks old when Grandpa Jim was here...)

Anyway, here are a couple of pics from our night there.

47 years ago tomorrow

I know the blog title tells you that 47 years ago tomorrow...but I don't have a scanned picture of their wedding day.  So, here's one of the earliest pics I have of our little family.  Taken in 1972, this is one of the first family portraits of us.  Don't you love my white boots and everyone's BIG hair?

So, back to 47 years ago tomorrow...my parents were preparing for their wedding.  Yes, that's right - They got married on a holiday weekend.  July 6, 1963 and it was a great day - I wasn't there, but those that were tell some great stories.  Apparently, Phoeniz, Arizona was very HOT that day/weekend!

As we remember the great father, husband, brother, son we had in my dad, we also remember what a great example my parents showed us of loving each other when times get tough and making good decisions for your kids.  Thanks to both of you for being such awesome role models!  I also want you to know that you were/are great grandparents!  Eli is so lucky!

Relay for Life

** This post can also be found on Eli's blog **

Last night was the Relay for Life in McKinney. Mom and I joined the team with my school and raised some money for cancer research. Thanks to all of you who sent money in memory of Dad for this event. We appreciate you!

We took Eli with us with the plan that Husband would come get him to take him home when he got tired. He had so much fun! He got to sit in a helicopter (so did Grandma and I), play catch with my principal, run around with some of the other teachers' kids, walk with us on the track, dance to the music and see lots of people he hasn't seen in awhile.
For Mom and I, it was a bittersweet night. We were both okay, for the most part, and didn't get too weepy with missing Daddy. But, there were a couple of times that we were both pretty sad and teary - during opening ceremonies when they were announcing all the survivor's names and also when some of the music spoke to us very clearly. We did better than I thought we would, though, seeing as how it was not too long ago (really) when Daddy died.

Eli made it to just past 9 when he was asking to be carried or just sit down. So, we called Husband and he came over. The pic below was taken while we were waiting for Husband. Eli wanted to sit in the grass to wait. He was so sweet to snuggle with Grandma! And, Friday morning, he woke up asking for her! Eli loves his Grandma! (And so do I!)
After the boys left, we continued our walk for cancer, visited with more friends, had a hot dog, and registered for a cancer prevention research project before we decided to head home. There were threats of storms but I'm not sure if any showed up...
                                                           Praying for a cure for cancer.

Valentine's Day

This year, being Mom's first without Daddy, I wanted to her to have a nice day.  Her friends had made plans with her for the evening, but we were able to have her over for lunch. 

Husband was our chef for the day.  He made a wonderful meal and Mom was able to sit next to her special Valentine, Eli.

I made her a new Valentine quilty:  complete with applique's of Eli's hands and an inspiring quote.

Love you, Mom!  Hope you had an excellent day!

Snow!

We had record-breaking snowfall this month! We had over 12 inches of snow fall in the Dallas area – it’s the most that has fallen in over 40 years. We missed school on one day but we had SO MUCH FUN!!

Mom and one of her friends made this LOVE-ly snowlady at her house and we had to come over and see her! Then, Eli decided to make some repairs and shovel the walk! This is the most snow that shovel has see since my parents and brother lived in Wisconsin 40 years ago!

When we got home, some neighbor-friends came over to help us with our snowman. They had been out of school all day and were able to play in it ALL DAY - but we just got to watch it through the windows! So, here's Eli with the snowman in process and then after it was done. I know he's missing some parts - but Eli's only two...

What Would Daddy Say?

Often, I find myself driving down the street and I get a strong desire to call Daddy.  I've always been able to call him with the silliest or serious of topics.  I always knew he would be available for me.

Well, maybe he wasn't available during his daily lunch/nap (from 12-1 pm), but at any other time, he was available to me/us.  And, he always had a good perspective on my issues.  I really miss that.

Sometimes, he'd tell me a story about some politician, weather or news story he found interesting.  Or, he would tell me what song he sang to Eli or some other cute thing that Eli had done.  I really miss that.

I miss being able to call him and hear his voice, his laugh.  I miss hearing his advice.  I just miss him.

Sorry for the sadness.  I'm missing him today.

Book dedication

My Aunt Vivian (the wonderful wife of my Uncle Hank) passed away in October.  Mom was able to go spend some time with Hank and some of the other family.

I was able to dedicate a book at my school library in her name.  The book I chose was "Quack, Duck, Quack" which is mostly out of print.  But it's about a little duck who gets some help from her beloved aunt.

Love you, Aunt Vivian!

Christmas 2009

Excuse the tardiness of this entry. Really, Christmas was over 3 months ago…hardly seems like it, though!


We had a nice holiday but it was quieter than in the past. It was hard to ‘get into the spirit’ but for our boy, we pulled it off. (I think?!?!)

Grandma Marie came to visit the week before Christmas. We went shopping, ate too much, opened/shared gifts and had a nice visit. Thanks for coming!
We also had a nice visit from my brother, Uncle Terry. His wife wasn’t able to come with him but she did send some yummy desserts! Thanks, Aunt Kit!
On Christmas Eve, Husband went to McKinney to pick up Mom. The weather was really cold and we were expecting some ice/freezing rain. So, she stayed with us that night. Eli didn’t know what to do! He isn’t used to Grandma being at our house when it’s time for ‘night ‘night!

We woke in the morning to find snow – but not very much! It was gone before lunch but we were glad to already have Mom at our house for the festivities.

I had made her a new stocking this year. She was surprised to see it and even took it back to her house! My intention was for it to stay at our house so Santa could fill it if she’s at our house…
Husband did all the cooking for us this year. On the menu included lots of yummy NEW recipes from The Food Network kitchens! Definitely some good one and at least one BUMMER!
We took Mom home on Christmas evening. We missed Gram and Daddy but we did the best we could. Even without them, we are blessed beyond measure!

I had made her a new stocking this year. She was surprised to see it and even took it back to her house! My intention was for it to stay at our house so Santa could fill it if she’s at our house...

Husband did all the cooking for us this year. On the menu included lots of yummy NEW recipes from The Food Network kitchens! Definitely some good one and at least one BUMMER!
We took Mom home on Christmas evening. We missed Gram and Daddy but we did the best we could. Even without them, we are blessed beyond measure!

Party

Mom hosted part of the neighborhood progressive dinner party this year.  She (and I) and a decorator friend and assorted friends/neighbors, helped decorate her house for the big event.

My husband made his 'world famous' chili stew and other neighbor/friends brought chili and the other ingredients:  cheese, crackers, sour cream, etc.

I think Mom saidd there were approximately 60 people in the house at one time!  Wow!

Everyone enjoyed the party at Mom's and then moved down the street for dessert.

#91

Today would have been my grandmother's 91st birthday. We celebrated several birthdays together over the years and last year was pretty memorable.  We had a party for her to celebrate #90. She was so cute and happy that day.  I mean, really, she was always pretty cute.  She doted on us and made sure we had mail every week.  She was famous for sending us cards for the 'Hallmark Holidays' that were made up in addition to all the other ones like Halloween, Valentines, St. Patricks, etc.  She also always had a selection of jewelry perfect for any occasion and she enjoyed wearing her makeup and lipstick.  (You don't sell Avon for 50 years if you don't like jewelry and makeup, right?)

Last March, my parents took her home to Missouri for a few days.  Turns out, that was the last time she was able to go home before her final trip/funeral.  I'm so glad my parents took the time to take her.  She was able to have a nice visit with her brother/sister-in-law, her sister and other cousins and friends.  Another word to describe my Gram is feisty.  There was some trouble with the heater at her house while they were visiting and she put up such a fuss that my parents relented and they all slept in the freezing house!  (It was near 60 inside, I think, which is way too cold for a 90 year old and my parents but she got her way.  I guess that's something else she learned from my Gramps?)

Eli loved tasting the cake and playing with the balloons.  Of course, he liked to play with Grandma's walker, too! 

Another birthday

This time, it's mine! I had a good day today. You can read the big post at my other blog: (see the link to Eli's blog over on the right or go here: www.eli-eli-oh.blogspot.com since the link isn't working) but I just wanted to say that today was a day that I really missed my Dad. (duh, right?) He was such an integral part of my life that it's hard to celebrate special days without him and any day, really. (of course!)

KVIL

KVIL was a radio station that Dad listened to in his stores. He always tried to make the store environment welcoming to the customers.

Sometimes, I hear a song on the radio and it immediately makes me think of Daddy. That's not a bad thing but it's kinda funny. Daddy used to sing to us but you wouldn't necessarily hear a song he was singing on the radio.

This week, I heard this and it made me think of Daddy and smile:



After typing that you wouldn't hear a song Daddy would sing on the radio, I thought I would check and see if there was one on You Tube and found this one: