* A MINI FAMILY REUNION *

I've been a bit MIA for a couple of weeks, as my post title hints....

Also, lots of other happenings are going on in this gal's life that I will share as soon as I can.

Right now, just know that all is mostly good stuff.... and the stuff that isn't mostly good....well, it's not that big of a deal.

I think all of you know that I firmly believe:

Life is too short to be unhappy,

so change the circumstances that can be changed.



And

 

Bloom where you are planted!

 

 

 

 

 

More mostly good news next week!

 

 

 

 



* UPDATE ON OUR DEAR FRIEND, CLAUDiA...AKA BOOKiE *

On May 30th, I wrote a post about my friend, Claudia Mundell, AKA "Bookie".

Since that time I've received a few short emails from Claudia, relating to her illness and subsequent battle. I have no idea how I would react to receiving news that I had cancer, or how I would handle all the pain, discomfort, and sometimes pure hell that a person goes through. But I can tell you that Claudia's courage and strength continue to amaze and inspire me.

She is definitely a fighter, and I recently wrote to her "You are one tough broad! And I mean that in the best, most meaningful way!! Keep hanging in there." 

Another thing I love about Claudia is her way with words. She is, after all, a very good writer! Below are some of her charming thoughts she shared in an email:

"...This morning I dressed in color for first time in 6 weeks... It only took me four hours to bathe and dress! But it felt good...I saw___doctor and he is a cute little butterball with scruffy face. When he enters a room, there is this crunchy energy that comes with him. I want to curl up in his scrub pocket and ride along on his energy!"

Can't you just envision that doctor? J

If you are a person who believes in prayer, please include Claudia in yours, that as she continues to fight this disease, she will have both physical and emotional strength, and keep her wonderful sense of humor.

* IF IT'S SUNDAY, I MUST BE GOING TO WORK TOMORROW *

Last week I almost worked my "normal" schedule at my job: 18 - 20 hours. 
The week before that I worked 40 HOURS. I was exhausted! My paycheck was nice, but I just can't do that very often. I still LOVE my job and all the people, though, which is wonderful.

~~~

So, I've been pretty lazy this weekend, as most weekends go. It's been so hot this summer. Yes, we DO have hot and humid summers here, but I don't remember so many days 90⁰ and higher. I make myself perform the necessary chores: laundry, and cooking and cleaning up the dishes. :)

~~~

This afternoon I worked on putting together a shadowbox frame with photos and mementos of Vern. I finally was able to begin it without being in tears. I need to get some spray-on adhesive and when I'm finished, I'll post a picture of it on here. We need to get lots of other regular frames, because we have so many photos we'd like to hang on the walls.

Here's one I've never posted before. It's from June 2011.

 

Vern was rolling around on the carpet and

I was shocked I actually got him in motion!

 

How I miss him....

 

P.S. Please take the time to stop by Robert Brault's blog. The man is a genius!! https://rbrault.blogspot.com/  

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

 

It's almost the 4th of July - America's Independence Day. It's been rainy and cool for the past couple of days, but we didn't have any plans...outside or in...so not a disappointment for us. In fact, we're being really lazy....

We just spent three days at our best friends' home at Lake of the Ozarks. We hadn't seen them in way too long and the weather was perfect. They also have two adorable doggies: a dachshund and a beagle, and we loved on them as much as we could! Made us feel like we should get another dog fairly soon for ourselves, but after we got back home, our common sense also returned! A few weeks ago, we'd said, "No more dogs." And even if we do change our minds, it's way too soon.... We still miss Vern so much.

I recently purchased a shadowbox frame to put memories of Vern in. When I have it finished, I'll share it here on my blog.

~~~

 

“It shocks me how I wish for...what is lost and cannot come back.” -- Sue Monk Kidd, Traveling With Pomegranates: A Mother-Daughter Story

* INSPIRATIONAL THOUGHT FOR THE DAY *

Just happened upon this and it's definitely something I believe!

 

* ♪ I'M WORKING MY WAY BACK...♪ *

Well, I've begun my way back. Back to my "normal" self. (Hey, I hear those snickers out there. I know I'm not "normal," nor would I ever want to be! Ha!)

Eeeeek!!

People tell me I've been through a lot the past couple of months. I really hadn't looked at it that way, especially because of the sorrow and sickness some of my friends have been experiencing lately. But, however, all the worry and tension and grief that I thought I was "handling," hit me when I let my guard down, and it finally took a bit of a toll...

And now...I'm working my way back...to myself. And it feels really good to smile and laugh and be goofy again J

~~~

* MY DEAR FRIEND, CATHY C. HALL... *

As I skimmed through Facebook this evening, I was shocked and saddened to read that my dear writer/friend Cathy C. Hall's husband just passed away. I am still in shock because I had no idea he was ill.

 

Cathy always referred to her husband, in both speech and writing, as "the beneficent Mr. Hall." I asked her a long time ago why she did that and she replied because he was such a compassionate and big-hearted guy....

 

In July of 2011, I had the pleasure of visiting with Cathy C. when I traveled to the Atlanta, Georgia area to visit family. Her lovely husband was kind enough to drive her quite a few miles to meet with me one afternoon. Cathy and I talked and laughed like we'd known each other "in person" for years and years. Although it was much too short of a visit, it will always be a favorite memory of mine.

 

 

I'm so glad I was able to meet "Joe-the-beneficent-Mr.-Hall."

He took this and a couple other photos of Cathy C. and me that day

 acting like our usual, normal selves!

(Oh, and she also brought along Cathy-on-a-Stick!)

 

 

I've included Joe Hall's obituary below:

 



Obituary for Joe Kenneth Hall

Joe Kenneth Hall, 63, died Sunday, June 19th after a brief illness. Joe is survived by his wife, Cathy, his brother, James W. Hall (Capricia Hall) of Cumming, and his three children, James Joseph (Joey) and Lane Elizabeth (Laney) of Atlanta and John Crider Hall of Sandy Springs.

Joe was born in Sandersville, Georgia and graduated from Washington County High School, before he received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at University of Georgia.

He had a life-long passion for music, and he pursued that passion through a ten-year career in radio as DJ, Dave “King Kong” Kelly. While working at WNEX in Macon, Georgia, Joe met his wife of thirty-six years, Cathy.
Joe left radio to work for TV Guide and moved to Lilburn, Georgia. He spent the next twenty-five years in magazine distribution, retiring recently as Director of Distribution and Marketing at CoMag with Hearst Magazines. He was kind and humorous and always put the well-being of his family before his own. He was an exceptional father, brother and husband who will be greatly missed.

There will be a Memorial Service to Honor and Celebrate the Life of Joe K. Hall at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, Lilburn, GA, on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at 11:00 AM. Fr. Sunny Punnakuziyil will serve as celebrant of the service. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at Tom M. Wages Snellville Chapel, Snellville, GA. In lieu of flowers, please remember Joe with a contribution to your favorite charity or St. Vincent de Paul

Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com. Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, LLC, “A Family Company, Snellville Chapel 770-979-3200 has been entrusted with the arrangements.

"Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born." -- Anais Nin

* I GOT NOTHIN' *

The past few days I've been thinking I really should post something new here, but as I sit with my fingers poised over my keypad, I realize...."I got nothin'."

I'm not bursting with information I want to share.

 

There hasn't been anything exciting going on.

 

Life is okay....