I Put a Spell on You!

Enjoy your Halloween!

Bumping Along

I put my nose to the grindstone today trying to get things done for mom's celebration of life in DC on November 14. I actually got a lot done.

I think the evenings and nighttime are the hardest as I have more time to think about things. I'm trying to stay upbeat until it all comes crumbling down and hits me like a ton of bricks. So far, so good.

I hope the hub and kid understand my quietness and shortness of patience as my grieving process. Poor guys.

Again, hearing from so many of you has brought many smiles to my face. Thank you.

xo
ro

Thank You All

The abundance of love and well wishes are pouring in; and I can't tell you how much they truly mean to me.

Knowing how much mom was loved by so many makes me immensely happy. Even those who never met her could tell by her beautiful smile what an extraordinary and kind woman she was.

I am doing really well. I think I have caught up on my sleep, sleeping until 1 p.m. today! Sleep has always been my sanctuary. I'm feeling refreshed and at peace.

My family is beyond amazing and having them surrounding me is a Godsend. My friends are just as wondrous. Feeling your love has lifted my heart.

Thank you all so very much. I know she is looking down on us on this beautiful, sunny and crisp fall day and feeling our love spreading throughout the land in her honor. I can see that great big, magnificent smile.

xo
ro

In Our Hearts Forever

To live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die.

She lives on in so many of our hearts. That gives me much comfort.

Mom

We lost our sweet Lillie Sue yesterday afternoon. How fortunate we were to have her in our lives as long as we did. Now we have a very special angel looking over us. And I'm sure those new wings are absolutely brilliant.

Thank you all so very much for all your thoughts and prayers. We felt each and every one.

We will be celebrating her life at my brother Jim's house in Maryland on November 14. It will be a wonderful celebration of a beautiful life.

Thoughts and Prayers Needed

I'm heading home because mom is sick. Please keep her in your thoughts.

Gunston Girls' Club

The girls and I are enjoying our time together.

We picked Kelly up at the airport (after going around in circles for a bit) early Wednesday. We headed straight to one of our favorite places, The Crab Trap, in Perdido.

Took a little walk on the beach.

Watched as the yellow flag was changed to red.

Arrived home to our delivery of Amy's caramel apples, which we quickly opened and cut into.

We went into town and did a little shopping, enjoying the dogs at each shop. This is our little bookshop's coffee shop.

Big doings this weekend in town.

This is Rosie.

Of Rosie Blu.

We didn't get this fellow's name, but he was a real sweetie too at The Village Peddler.

Mosied back on home where it was time to open some goodies I found in Coronado for the girls. You peeled away layers of paper and found treasures under each one. It was a lot of fun.

Kell chased a gecko on the front porch.

We then made some Mangria Monkey Punch (my brother's recipe).

Toasted the GGC with a shot of Crystal Skull vodka (Dan Akroyd's product).

Called an old friend to wish him a happy birthday and noticed the river was up a tad. Had to remove the chairs of the dock.

Did some dancing in the cool water.

Until we spied this big boy. Time to pack it up girls.

We made charm bracelets.

And finished the evening with a nightcap. It's all a blurr now.

Bella was indignant with all of us at this point.

xo
ro

PS Pam, who was supposed to be with us this week stayed back in the Northeast because her mother-in-law was in the ICU. She passed away this morning so we all send our prayers to Pam and Gordon. Hugs Pammy.

Riverside with Amy

Waiting for Kell to arrive.

Dinner.

Old photos.

Out of the travel box.

Tranquility.

I'm So Excited

c. 1980s

And I just can't hide it. I'm about to lose control and I think I like it.

My oldest and bestest friend, sister-at-heart Amy, is driving down tomorrow; then we're heading to Riverside to meet up with the rest of our oldest and bestest friends in 'bama!

Can you feel the anticipation?

It's electrifying!

PS Safe travels Aim!

Sweater Weather

I was peeking through Susan Branch's site and found her wonderful front page and borrowed a couple of pieces. I adore her work, almost as much as I adore autumn.

The teenager came home from University last night and I decided to try my hand at the "leftover" pie crust cookies that we had in San Diego. Of course, I purchased the pre-made pie crust!

I made bite-sized morsels, dabbed them with butter than dredged them in cinnamon sugar. Mmmmm.

Not quite like homemade crust . . . but he and his friends enjoyed a plate full straight out of the oven.

The rest went to the nurses today.


The hub is on his way home tonight and I'm killing time until I pick him up at the airport. Rainy here, foggy, misty--everything you don't want when flying. So, his arrival is delayed. Cannot wait for him to get home!

Happy Autumn!

xo
ro

Autumn

Autumn is here. Finally. It's still grey and drizzly outside, but I'm loving the cooler weather. The fall shadow box was made by Connie, an old blogging friend from way back when I first began blogging. I won it! Isn't it fab!

I've been putting other things out too as I find them. You'd think I'd have all my fall decor in one area? Nope. It's all over the place! Organize, schmorganize.

I've always loved this little feller. The acorns were collected on Mobile Bay by my friends. Speaking of which, they are all coming down next week and we have an entire week together! Amy is driving down from Maryland on Monday and then we drive to Riverside on Tuesday. Pam and Kelly fly in on Wednesday! Whooop!

The dried arrangements were in mom's living room.

The teenager comes home from school tomorrow for the fall break. We have him all weekend. The hub has been all over the world for the past two weeks, from Liverpool to Amsterdam, from Beijing to Mumbai, from Hong Kong to Singapore, from Bangladesh to London and Bahrain somewhere in there. Poor guy. He will be home on Friday, I'm sure ready to sleep for a couple of days. I'll be happy to have all my men under one roof again!

I hope falling leaves are leaving you with a smile.

xo
ro

Mom and Jim

My brother Jim sent me some photos from his visit this summer. I took this photo of him and mom on one of his visits to see her.

I think it has to be one of the most precious photos I have ever seen.

Sniffle.

Fall is Upon Us

Oh yea, finally, it's feeling a little like Autumn. Actually, it is a little early, but I'm loving it.

We had rain today and it warmed up a little bit. I was liking the chill in the air actually.

I've been putting little things out for the season. It's my favorite time of year. Of course, Bella is inspecting everything. She's like a little child. She has to lick everything that comes within reach. Ew.

Aren't these little Halloween fairies too cute?

Catching up news: The kid found a loose diamond in his bathroom. I don't know if it's real or not. I can't find anyone who has lost one. Hmmmmm. I'm going to take it into a jeweler and see if it's real. It does cut glass.

Looks like we may be getting a Nordstrom's after all. I've been reading about this ever since moving to Nashville in 2001. I'm not holding my breath!

Mom is eating better. She's back up a couple of pounds. Yay! She's always so happy. God bless her!

This was the moon a couple of nights ago. Isn't this a gorgeous sky?

The kid's best friend is in from Los Angeles and they're up in the woods exploring. It's always nice when he comes back into town and they pick up where they left off. Too much fun.

Ok, now I'm really caught up!

xo
ro