1/05/2011
Sadness
Wasn't expecting to get more sad news so soon......but it came. It came by way of text and email this morning.....while I was still lying in bed snoozing for just 5 more minutes. While others were already stricken with severe grief and loss, I was just resting peacfully in the comfort of my bed.
I called him JR. He was a great guy. Always fun, super nice and good looking. I can't say we were super close, but we definitely ran in the same circle back in the day. Beyond the sadness, it's really strange to think about him being gone now. How is it possible? No matter who you are, you just don't think things like this will ever happen to you or those close to you.....so when they do happen, it's seriously strange and hard to put your head around.
To think of all the times when it could have been me. Back in the day (as I say) we were all making choices that could have ended things for us in a flash. But, by the grace of God, alot of us are still here to tell about it. Unfortunately, some of us were never able to shake those demons......those bad choices.......those fun times.....those desires.......and because of it, great loss has occured. Loss that we never would have imagined.
Even though I don't know them, tears come to my eyes for his family and dear friends that are, so suddenly, left behind with nothing but memories. I hope and pray from the bottom of my heart that they can somehow find comfort right now in the good things. The good memories and the happy times.
Rest in peace, JR......rest in peace.
I called him JR. He was a great guy. Always fun, super nice and good looking. I can't say we were super close, but we definitely ran in the same circle back in the day. Beyond the sadness, it's really strange to think about him being gone now. How is it possible? No matter who you are, you just don't think things like this will ever happen to you or those close to you.....so when they do happen, it's seriously strange and hard to put your head around.
To think of all the times when it could have been me. Back in the day (as I say) we were all making choices that could have ended things for us in a flash. But, by the grace of God, alot of us are still here to tell about it. Unfortunately, some of us were never able to shake those demons......those bad choices.......those fun times.....those desires.......and because of it, great loss has occured. Loss that we never would have imagined.
Even though I don't know them, tears come to my eyes for his family and dear friends that are, so suddenly, left behind with nothing but memories. I hope and pray from the bottom of my heart that they can somehow find comfort right now in the good things. The good memories and the happy times.
Rest in peace, JR......rest in peace.
11/17/2010
My Grandmother, Maurine "Rene" Robberson
She's always been very put together. Dressed to the nines, great jewels, hair done, and red lips on......and she could make a mean grilled cheese. She had a fancy little condo where I would go visit her as a little girl and happily play with her collection of old toy cars and check out all of her beautiful rings and clothes.
For the last 7 years, she hasn't lived in that condo though.....she has lived with my Uncle Rick and Aunt Debbie who have worked so hard at taking loving care of her when old age and health issues set in.
Unfortunately, the last few months have been an uphill battle with several health complications and the painful decision of needing to rely on nursing home care instead of the personal home care that Rick & Deb gave.
So, Marla and I went to visit her this past weekend in St. Louis. It wasn't easy to see her in the state she's in now, but still very good to see her nonetheless. She's still the same 'ol Rene when it comes to her quick whit and humor. I'm very grateful for those things. While we were there on Saturday afternoon, she couldn't find her lipstick that she swore she had just had, so on Sunday when we returned, I brought her a new one. A nice bright pink'ish red.....just the kind she likes and wears so well. She was so excited to get it and put it on. Even with frail and shaky hands, she put it on like an expert. The image she saw in the mirror for the first time in a few weeks wasn't quite what she liked to see, but at least those red lips gave her some pizazz for the day. Most likely, last Sunday was the last time I'll see her alive, but luckily we were able to capture a few photos that will last us a lifetime.
I love you Grandma Rene....
For the last 7 years, she hasn't lived in that condo though.....she has lived with my Uncle Rick and Aunt Debbie who have worked so hard at taking loving care of her when old age and health issues set in.
Unfortunately, the last few months have been an uphill battle with several health complications and the painful decision of needing to rely on nursing home care instead of the personal home care that Rick & Deb gave.
So, Marla and I went to visit her this past weekend in St. Louis. It wasn't easy to see her in the state she's in now, but still very good to see her nonetheless. She's still the same 'ol Rene when it comes to her quick whit and humor. I'm very grateful for those things. While we were there on Saturday afternoon, she couldn't find her lipstick that she swore she had just had, so on Sunday when we returned, I brought her a new one. A nice bright pink'ish red.....just the kind she likes and wears so well. She was so excited to get it and put it on. Even with frail and shaky hands, she put it on like an expert. The image she saw in the mirror for the first time in a few weeks wasn't quite what she liked to see, but at least those red lips gave her some pizazz for the day. Most likely, last Sunday was the last time I'll see her alive, but luckily we were able to capture a few photos that will last us a lifetime.
I love you Grandma Rene....
10/22/2010
Worth a thousand words.....or more
Followed by the very typical looks on her daughters faces.....Marla joining in on the laughter and smiles.....Heather looking out at the crowd to make sure everything is ok and that everyone is enjoying the moment as much as she is....and Dany laughing at all of us because not only is he joyful too, but he thinks its funny when we all crack up. And of course, Dr. Bietz, who is enjoying every moment of his heartfelt and very sincere homily.
Then there's Jim, with that adoring look on his face. Adoration for my mother like I have never seen before. Love and happiness that is long deserved for both.
My Mom says it's 3 months tomorrow.......time goes by so fast. It's like we were just there. I'm not very good at keeping exact track of things like this, but for her, it must make her heart skip every moment of every day because she is finally living after a very long 10 years......maybe more.
I have a lot of things to blog about right now, but I thought this deserved the spot more than the rest. It's a big deal.
XO
10/08/2010
RHONDA!!!!!
We used to say that all the time.....me and the girls......it was kind of the equivalent of "JEEZ" or a big sigh....something like that. A sign of frustration or aggravation. How we came up with "Rhonda", I'll never know but when I use it now, in front of people who have no clue, it really just doesn't have the same affect. They just don't get it. I miss being able to say it in front of the people that DO get it.
So here I sit on a typical Friday afternoon in the freezing-ass office, praying no one comes to me with some gigantic last minute project that they need done in 4.5 minutes, or that Snorty Snorterson (yes, that's what we call him) walks by me, again, snorting and hacking as he does, or that SD doesn't come ask me "how the lists are looking" for the ninety-fifth time. So instead of watching that painfully slow clock tick on and on, I decided I'd practice my blogging.
In honor of my birthday week, my Mombo has been doing a bang-up job scanning in some really old photos of me as a little girl.....scanners are a fantastic thing. It's been SO fun getting to see all these old pix that I haven't seen in years and years. Here are a couple of my favorites.
So here I sit on a typical Friday afternoon in the freezing-ass office, praying no one comes to me with some gigantic last minute project that they need done in 4.5 minutes, or that Snorty Snorterson (yes, that's what we call him) walks by me, again, snorting and hacking as he does, or that SD doesn't come ask me "how the lists are looking" for the ninety-fifth time. So instead of watching that painfully slow clock tick on and on, I decided I'd practice my blogging.
In honor of my birthday week, my Mombo has been doing a bang-up job scanning in some really old photos of me as a little girl.....scanners are a fantastic thing. It's been SO fun getting to see all these old pix that I haven't seen in years and years. Here are a couple of my favorites.
My beloved "Mum"
Look at that HAIR!!
This one brings tears to my eyes
Well, I just looked at the clock again and its only 2:03pm. 5:00pm is never going to come. I just know it.
Oh!!! On another sidebar, on People and US Weekly this week, Brittney Spears was totally carrying MY SAME BAG!!!!! The one from Anthro!!! Of course she looked like a total moron, but at least she has good taste in bags :)
XO
10/05/2010
A birthday to remember
Oct. 4, 197......what year was that again?? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you??
Yeah.....so anyway......a milestone bday is now behind me. But, I made it a good day. A good weekend actually......and I plan to just continue that goodness all week. Why not, right?? Right!
Relaxation, good food, good company, beautiful fall weather, treasured pictures, loads and loads of fantastic FB messages and text messages from so many special people in my life. I am truly blessed and so very lucky to have so many fabulous friends and family in my life. Although the number DOES bother me quite a bit, I did my very best to not focus on that and just focus on all the good stuff and have a great time.
For the last few years I have been trying to do something for my bday's that is new and different for me.....maybe even a little scary, because my adventuresome side is quite lacking. There are still things I definitely WILL NOT try, but there are a few on the list I'm willing to attempt. For this big bday, I went for the hot air balloon. Had never done it and the thought didn't freak me out too badly, so I went for it and it was MORE than worth it. Here are some of the good shots I got on my 2800 foot ride in the sky, along with a few others from a dinner with friends the night before.
Our landing was much, much rougher than they could have anticipated and was quite exciting, but nerve racking too. When you notice that your balloon pilot is stressing out, I guarantee it'll make you stressed too.....but overall, he did a great job and got us down perfectly safe. Ripped the skin off one of my knuckles in the process, but hey, better than falling out of the basket :)
Here's to staying in the basket for my ____th year ;)
XO
Yeah.....so anyway......a milestone bday is now behind me. But, I made it a good day. A good weekend actually......and I plan to just continue that goodness all week. Why not, right?? Right!
Relaxation, good food, good company, beautiful fall weather, treasured pictures, loads and loads of fantastic FB messages and text messages from so many special people in my life. I am truly blessed and so very lucky to have so many fabulous friends and family in my life. Although the number DOES bother me quite a bit, I did my very best to not focus on that and just focus on all the good stuff and have a great time.
For the last few years I have been trying to do something for my bday's that is new and different for me.....maybe even a little scary, because my adventuresome side is quite lacking. There are still things I definitely WILL NOT try, but there are a few on the list I'm willing to attempt. For this big bday, I went for the hot air balloon. Had never done it and the thought didn't freak me out too badly, so I went for it and it was MORE than worth it. Here are some of the good shots I got on my 2800 foot ride in the sky, along with a few others from a dinner with friends the night before.
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| Dinner at Ocean Prime |
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| 630am out at the launch field - this is our basket laying on it's side |
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| It's alot of work getting these babies up & running |
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| Turn your head to the right to see this properly.....can't figure out how to rotate my pix yet on the blog |
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| Unbelievably peaceful and quiet |
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| Extremely thankful to be safely on the ground |
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| The 2x4 didn't even stand a chance |
Here's to staying in the basket for my ____th year ;)
XO
10/01/2010
Oh it's on now.....
Look at that! I can blog from my phone by text message!!!! Pretty slick if I do say so myself.
This should prove to be quite fun.
This should prove to be quite fun.
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