Love Is Sweet.

My great Aunt Rose passed away last November.

She was diagnosed with cancer in early October & died the day after Thanksgiving.

It all happened so fast, but, you know, I think she was ready.

Her husband, my great Uncle Vernie, passed away 3 years ago & from that time, up until her death, all she wanted was to be with him again.

You see, they didn't (or couldn't) have children.

So, besides a few niece's & nephew's (my dad being one of them), it was just the 2 of them.

After she died, my dad let my sister & me walk through her house, to see if there was anything we wanted (furniture, linens, pictures, etc).

I found my Uncle's old war chest (trunk) in the bedroom.

We opened it up & found his old Lieutenant uniform, shoes, medals & a stack of old letters.

Letters written to him by my Aunt, when he was stationed overseas.

She wrote him at least 40 letters from April 1945 to June 1946.

And, would you believe a stamp back then only cost 8 cents?

Anyway.

My dad let me take the letters home to read.

I sat at my kitchen table & read each letter, start to finish.

It took me about 3 hours.

I had the most vivid image in my head of my Aunt sitting at her kitchen table, lovingly crafting each letter, just for my Uncle.

At some point during the time when these letters were written, they got engaged.

I believe she was also finishing school (college) & then at some point, she moved to Oklahoma to be a nurse with the Red Cross.

In the letters, she usually gave my Uncle a rundown of what she'd been up to, plus the latest gossip & wedding plans.

She also made sure to let him know how much she missed & loved him.

I want to share a few excerpts from a few letters with you.

**********

May 1st, 1945

Let me set this excerpt up.

Apparently, my Uncle was quite the catch. He was very popular with the girls, it seems, but my Aunt won his heart.

She was at a wedding & saw one of his ex-girlfriends, who, I believe was of the jealous kind.

"When & if she catches up with the fact that your ring & I got together, you'll be one cooked Lieutenant. She'll have you right where she wants you. But, I'll watch that. For that very reason, I didn't wear it that afternoon, but I sure don't like to be without it, darling. I wish I could think of something for you that would give you even half the pleasure & happiness it has given me."

May 15th, 1945

"The fact that I like to sit down & write you letters is still a new feeling. But, the way I feel about you has become an established fact."

July 3rd, 1945

"I miss you til it hurts & long for your presence to share things with..."

July 26th, 1945

"My dearest, you are never out of my thoughts & prayers. My love goes where you go, always."

March 9th, 1946

"This has been a day for trying on wedding veils...don't look now, darling, but it may end up being lace & tulle -- you said you didn't like lace & I'm not crazy about it either, so we'll see."

April 27th, 1946

"You should see me flashing that ring around town, every chance I get, which is often. Vernie, dearest, all my love, I miss you the whole darned time."

May 4th, 1946

"My darling, these days without you get tougher & progressively tougher."

******

Wow.

The only thing I wish is that I could find the letters he wrote to her.

For now, though, I will keep the letters to him in a safe place, so that I can show my children.

The kind of love that they shared only comes along once in a lifetime.

If you're lucky enough to find it, hold on to it.

I've been holding onto mine for 9 years, 3 weeks & 4 days.

And, counting.

Here's What I Don't Understand.

So, after being out of town the weekend before last, I was so excited for Saturday & Sunday.

In fact, here's what I was thinking to myself all last week.

"Boy, I cannot WAIT for the weekend because I'm going to spend lots of time at home, sleeping in, catching up on chores & working on my design orders."

On Saturday, I got up at 8:30am to go watch Matt play softball.

I was home by 11:30am.

And, by 2pm, I WAS BORED OUT OF MY FREAKING MIND.

I had already done some laundry, unloaded & loaded the dishwasher, cleaned the kitchen, checked my e-mail, played with Maisy, read some of my book & changed our sheets.

I was so tired of being at home, that I actually thought about taking a nap.

People, I don't take naps during the day, unless I'm sick.

I just can't sleep unless it's dark outside.

Believe me, I've tried.

My husband, however, can.

That's what he was doing from 2pm to 3:30.

So, I decided to sit outside & read more of my book.

At 3:30, our friend Greg called & asked us to come over & watch a movie.

I was thinking to myself, "Sure. Can we come over now? Please?"

FINALLY. I was getting out of the house.

Matt & I ended up going out to dinner (at like 5:00...2 hours before we usually eat dinner) & then over to Greg's house for the movie.

And, you know, I could have gotten out of the house before 5, but I was so bored that I just didn't even have the energy to drive anywhere.

You know that feeling.

I know you've had that feeling.

On Sunday, I spent the day at the pool, lounging around & swimming.

Hey, why not be lazy, while working on your tan lines at the same time?

Not a bad deal.

A Day Trip to Dallas...With a Stowaway.

Matt & his friend, Greg, are HUGE Chicago Cubs fans.

Huge.

And, Sammy Sosa USED to be a Cub, but is now a Texas Ranger. Well, the Rangers played the Cubs in a game series this week, in Dallas.

Sammy was set to hit his 600th home run. If he hit it, that would mean he "homered" against every team in MLB.

As Matt & Greg were watching Tuesday night's game on TV, they came up with this plan to drive to Dallas on Thursday, be there for the 1pm game & then drive home.

ALL IN ONE DAY.

ONE DAY.

They wanted to drive 11 hours round-trip, just to watch a 3 hour baseball game.

I guess you call that dedication to the team.

Or maybe you call that crazy.

Anyway, the bought their $15 dollar tickets online on Wednesday & made plans to leave the next morning at 6:00am, in hopes of seeing Sammy hit his 600th home run.

However, at Wednesday night's game, Sammy homered.

But, being the sports loyals that they are, Matt & Greg decided to go to Dallas the next day anyway.

This is the sign inside Texas Ranger Stadium, that congratulates

Sammy on his 600th home run.

Here's a picture of the field from where Matt & Greg were sitting.

And, here they are: Greg & Matt. I don't know why Matt wasn't wearing his Cubs hat. He has like 5. He is, however, wearing his personalized Cubs jersey.

Here's a player. I don't know his name, nor do I know if he plays for the Cubs or Rangers. I know it's NOT Sammy, because Sammy didn't even play yesterday. Can you believe that? The one player they go to see didn't even play.

See this little guy? Well, Greg found him on Matt's truck when they stopped to get gas in Texarkana. He was between the cab & the bed of the truck.
Greg picked him up & put him inside the truck, where he stayed for the rest of the trip to Dallas, during the game & on the trip home. Greg & Matt just let him hop around the truck. When Matt got home, he put the little frog in the grass & watched him hop away!

**********

Just for good measure, here's a picture of me & Maisy on her 3rd birthday.

Can't you just tell how much she LOVES her birthday hat?

It's Here, It's Here, It's Here.

One word.

Sweet.

I had a feeling that my Summer Swap package from Beth would be sitting on my front porch when I got home last night.

And, I have to say that as my house came into view, I got really, really excited.

Especially when I saw a big box by my front door.

I could barely get in the door, before tearing open the box, to look at my goodies.

Before I tell you what everything is, I'd like you to enjoy a group shot.

And, lemme apologize for not getting these pictures up sooner, especially since I got my package an entire 24 hours ago. We have dial-up internet & last night, it kept logging me off. After 4 hours of trying to load the pictures, I gave up & went to bed.

So, to not keep you in suspense any longer...

Spiffy Summer Flip-Flops

Ultra-Handy Tote

My (Beth's) Favorite Book

Margarita Recipe (Frozen Margarita Pie)

Every Girl Needs to Glow (Body Shimmer Lotion)

Real Fun Necklace (And, it's hand-made!)

Thanks again, Beth...These gifts are awesome. I'm looking forward to putting on my cute new flip-flops, loading up new tote bag with a towel & my new book & head to the pool.

I'm also looking forward to wearing my new necklace, getting all shimmery with my new lotion & trying out my new recipe.

I am so thankful for the friendships I have made through blogging. I know that we all live in different cities, well different states, for that matter, but I know that I can count on ya'll to cheer me on -- or cheer me up!

Jenny & Mrs. M came up with such a cool idea to start off the summer & I can't wait for Fall now, to do a Fall Swap.

Summer Swap '07

I got my Summer Swap package.

I got my Summer Swap package.

I got my Summer Swap package.

Beth, THANK YOU!!!

I LOVE everything in it!!!

So, where are the pictures?

Well.

My internet is SOOOOOO SLLLLOOOWWWW, that I only had enough patience to sit there & download 4 of the 6 pictures.

I started at 6:30pm & finally gave up at 10:30pm.

But, seeing as how I only have 2 more to download, I'll get that done tonight & post it!

You guys are going to LOVE what Beth sent me.

Summer Swap Post....Coming Soon!!!

In Dog Years, She's Legal.

Maisy's 3 years old today.

I can't believe that she's so big now.

I don't know the life expectancy for Beagles, but Matt & I figure she'll live til she's 30,

just to piss us off.

And, yes, she IS wearing a birthday hat in this picture.

I bought it for her on her 1st birthday & now it's a tradition that she wear it every birthday...

at least long enough for Matt to take her picture.

Happy Birthday, Maisy.

P.S. For those of you who think I'm crazy posting about my dog's birthday...lemme just say that until we have a human baby, Maisy is MY baby.

A Weekend with Family.

My sister, Jackson, Riley & I drove to Tyler, Texas last Friday for the weekend, to visit our aunt, uncle & cousins who live there.

We absolutely LOVE going there.

When we were little, Holly & I would spend weeks there in the summer. I remember one summer, we all got strep throat. We each had to get a shot in our butts. Then, my aunt made us a palet on the floor in the living room & we watched movie after movie together.

My cousins would also come to visit us, at my grandfather's house. We'd get our baby dolls & have birthday parties for them on the front porch.

Now that we're all grown, with jobs & families of our own, the times when we can all get together are priceless.

My cousin, Shelley, has a 2 year old boy, named Ty. Riley's only 6 weeks older than Ty & it's so much fun to watch them grow up together.

Jackson likes to play with my cousin, Cheryl's stepdaughter, Rachel. Plus, he always seems to rope the men into playing football with him.

While we were there this past weekend, we didn't do much, but we all spent time together & that's what we do best.

We ate a lot of food, courtesy of my aunt, we shopped, we played outside & just enjoyed each other's company.

And, Riley learned her 1st insult.

She'll now refer to anyone as a "Poo-Head".

She also learned how to blow bubbles.

And, she said "I lub you, Rah Rah" for the 1st time.

(Just a funny side note, she's learning how to potty train, but in order for her to sit on the potty, she has to strip naked, which she did in the Pizza Hut bathroom on Friday & the mall on Saturday. But, did she ever pee-pee in the potty? Nope. I guess it's just more fun to strip down to nothing but your hair bow.)

Anyway, we had a great time & hopefully, we'll get to make another trip down there before the summer's over.

Ty & Rachel at the playground at Chick-Fil-A

Ty & Riley reading her "Dora" book

Jackson & Tom playing football

Riley trying to catch the bubbles

Who doesn't love a little baby booty?

It's Dad's Day.

Happy Father's Day to my daddy & to all father's out there.

Yes, I'm almost 29 years old & I still call my dad, "Daddy".

I think it's a Dad-Daughter thing.

Don't you?

When I was growing up, my dad worked his butt off to give my sister & me a good life. We wanted for nothing, thanks to him. He was & still is a great provider.

Sure, we disagreed sometimes. I always complained when he told me to clean my room, but I always did it. And, I must admit, I liked my room better when it was clean.

My dad was my biggest cheer leading at swim meets & dance recitals.

And, he was there, helping me get ready for my 1st Cotillion & my 1st Prom. He also helped move me into the dorms my Freshman year of college.

As I get older, I appreciate my relationship with my dad more & more. I know that I'm very lucky to have him in my life.

He's always told me that all he wants for me, is to be happy.

Which I am.

Thanks, in part, to him.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy.

I love you.

Happy Birthday, Mom.

My mom turns 63 years old today!

She's in Houston with my step-dad, visiting his son, daughter-in-law & granddaughter, Emma.

I know they're having a good time & I am so thankful that they're getting to spend time with Brad & Tiffany (& of course, Emma).

My mom is such a special person in my life.

My sister & I are very close to her. We talk at least once a day...sometimes just to say "Hi".

She's been there for me, through every step in my life.

She even gave up 10 weeks of her life, to take care of me as I recovered from my injuries after a car accident in 2003. Because Matt had to go back to work, my mom took care of me during the day, helping me with my bath & washing my hair.

My mom is a wonderful mom, sister, wife, grandmother & friend.

Those who know her, are very lucky to have her in their lives!

Happy Birthday, Mom.

I love you.

It's Thursday...That Means Tomorrow is Friday.

So, I'm off work the next couple of days.

Just using some vacation time for a little rest & relaxation.

You know how it is when you work 40 to 50 hours a week.

You feel like you almost NEVER get anything done because by the time you get home, there's dinner to cook, laundry to do & bills to pay.

And, there's only so much you can pack into a weekend.

My only solution is to take a vacation day here & there & spend it crossing stuff off my "To Do" list.

Today was one of those days.

My 1st stop was the car wash.

And, I thought it was going my last because by the time I left there, I was so frustrated.

I walked in to pay, but there wasn't a "clear" line at the cash register, so I decided to stand "between" lines, until I could figure out where the line actually was.

Then, this really smelly man walked in, just as another guy was leaving. I was about to move up & give the checkout lady my ticket, when the smelly man cut right in front of me.

I'm not one for confrontation, so I let it slide.

I wasn't really pressed for time & I thought maybe he was on his lunch break & needed to get back.

The lady tells him he owes $13.07.

I swear, ya'll, this man actually pulls out 2 huge handfuls of change from his pockets & actually counts out $13.07 in change.

Yes, $13.07 in quarters, nickels, dimes & pennies.

I thought I was going to die.

It took him about 7 minutes to count out all the change. He kept having to dig back in his pockets for more.

In between spitting dip into his dip cup.

Ew.

Anyway, after he finished, I paid my $13.07, got my car & continued on with my errands.

On a brighter note, I bought all my Summer Swap goodies for my buddy. Now, I just have to box them all up & mail the package tomorrow.

And, I picked up Matt's new contacts, went to the grocery store, Target & a few other places.

I'm now back home, with another "To Do" list to tackle, including laundry, vacuuming & dusting.

Oh, I also have to pay bills.

I hate bill day.

OH, I ALMOST FORGOT!!!

Nick Newman (Josh Morrow) on the Young & the Restless ISN'T dead!!

In an earlier post, I asked if anyone knew if he had really been killed off the show.

No one really knew the answer, but the other night, he was back.

He's stranded somewhere with broken legs.

My life can return back to normal.

Finally.

New Note Cards.

Here are just TWO of EIGHT note cards I made for my Mom, as a gift from my step-brother & his wife, to give to her on her birthday.

To see the others, go to my designs website.

The Things Kids Say.

My sister & my 2 year old niece, Riley, were in Best Buy.

And, you know how they sell washers, dryers, microwaves & refrigerators?

Well, Riley opened one of the refrigerators, looked at my sister & said "I have to go potty."

What?

After she was told that we don't potty in refrigerators, she put her Zoe doll in there.

I guess Zoe was the one who really needed to go?

My Adventures at Wal-Mart.

I just have one thing to say.

Why?

I went to Wal-Mart today to get some milk, Dr. Pepper's, hamburger meat & a few other things we were out of, to hold us to our Big Grocery Shopping Trip on Wednesday.

Otherwise known as payday.

I pulled into the parking lot, looking for a parking space.

I spotted one on the next row, so I quickly, but cautiously, made my way over to it.

I got to the row & there was like a family of 5 walking down the middle of the row, as SLOW as they could. Instead of walking in a vertical line, they were in a horizontal line.

So, they're creeping along & I'm creeping along.

The dad like even turned around & saw me behind them, but did they move?

No.

Did they start walking faster?

No.

They're just talking & laughing & having a great time.

Finally, they get past the space I want.

I start to pull in, only to find out it's not a space.

It's the place where you put your cart after you unload your groceries.

Seriously.

So, I turn into another row & see a woman loading groceries into her car. She's parked in kind of the middle of the row.

I put my blinker on & wait.

And, wait.

And, wait.

And, wait.

FINALLY, she shuts her trunk, takes her cart over the cart place & gets into her car & backs out.

I pull in.

As I'm walking into Wal-Mart, I notice there are now like 4 empty spaces on my row, that are much closer to where I parked.

Seriously.

Can a girl get a break?

I decide to just shrug it off & move on with my life.

I grab a cart & start in the Meat Section & continue on loading up my cart with the items on my list.

I was only supposed to get meat, chicken, milk, OJ, Dr. Pepper's, paper towels & Powerade.

You wanna know what else I walked out with?

• Scrapbook stickers
• a package of white t-shirts for Matt
• a package of socks for Matt
• a photo organizer box
• Crunch-n-Munch (2 boxes, mind you)
• Chocolate milk
• a new book (Hey, who can resist a $4.95 trashy romance novel?)
• buttons to sew on 2 pairs of Matt's khaki shorts

I think that's all.

Instead of spending my budgeted $30, I spent $60.

But, I can't help it. I got sucked into the deep, dark hole that is Wal-Mart.

I'm also famous for getting sucked into the deep, dark hole that is Target.

I can spend hours in Target, filling my cart with stuff I don't need, but apparently, I've mastered the art of justification.

I can justify just about any purchase I make, that's not on my list.

And, the good thing about all of this is that I do the checkbook, so most of the time, SOMEbody never even knows how much I spend.

Except for when he opens his drawer & sees his new t-shirts & socks.

New Note Cards. And, a Thank You.

Well, here's 2 of the 4 note cards I did for my aunt's friend, for her birthday.

I was in such a hurry to get them mailed to her, that I forgot to take pictures of the other 2.

And, they were so totally cute!

Anyway, in addition to the cards I'm making for my step-brother's wife, a few of you have inquired about my services.

MBKimmy's waiting for baby Tatum to be born to order a Name Frame & KimmyK wants a frame for her daughter, who just made cheer leading.

*****

Also, I wanted to say "thanks" to you guys for your kind words, thoughts & hugs that you left me in the comment section of my previous post.

It sucks sometimes, but knowing I have you guys to back me up, makes it a little easier to handle.

I mean, a girl needs a little "girl power" every now & then.

Wednesday Ramblings.

How's your week going?

Mine's okay.

A little slow.

Of course, it's hump day, so that means Friday's only 2 days away.

Can't argue with that.

I'm feeling a little sorry for myself today, though.

On this day last year, Matt & I found out we were pregnant. I can remember every.thing. about that night.

I was so happy, so scared & so nervous all at once.

I remember thinking that Matt & I had finally achieved what we'd worked so hard for, for so long.

And, then I remember thanking God over & over again for giving us this tiny blessing.

Ok, enough of that. I'm getting all teary-eyed.

Although, it is easier to type this, instead of talking about it out loud.

If I had said any of this to you, in person, I wouldn't have gotten past the word "On", before I felt that familiar lump in my throat & my voice started to crack.

Then, the tears would have started.

Am I pitiful or what?

Anyway, on a happier note, one of my best blogging buddies gave birth to a beautiful baby girl over the weekend.

Go over to Kari's blog & welcome Samantha Lee to the world.

Kari's the one who really gave me the courage to put my feelings about my miscarriage down on paper (or in my case, a letter I wrote to my baby). She's really been there for me, ever since.

She, too, suffered a miscarriage & I am so totally thrilled that everything went okay with this pregnancy & that she now has a healthy baby girl.

It gives me hope that one day, that'll be me.

******

Now, to change the subject...

I got a new order for note cards today.

Sweet.

My step-brother's wife, Tiffany, ordered a set of 8 for a birthday gift for my mom.

And, don't worry, my mom doesn't read my blog, so she'll still be surprised!

I also finished putting together "look books" with pictures of all the note cards & name frames I've done so far & little "Contact Me" forms for interested people to take.

I'm going to give one to my hairdresser to keep at her salon for her clients to look at & I'm hoping to put one at the little cafe that's in the same building where I work.

Maybe I'll get more orders.

*****

Have you guys seen the new Lifetime series, "Army Wives"?

The 1st episode aired Sunday night & I got hooked.

Check it out if you get a chance.

*****

Oh, just a warning.

Don't EVER show your husband your school pictures from 7th, 8th & 9th grades. Because no matter how many times he tells you that he won't show them to anyone, he will steal them when you're asleep, take them to work with him & show them to EVERYONE.

But, let me just say....Revenge is sweet.

Happy Wednesday, Internet.

Summer Swap '07

It's on, people.

Summer Swap 2007.

We just found out who got paired with who & I got Jenny & Beth got me.

I'm so pumped to put together Jenny's package & also receive my package from Beth.

It'll be exciting to see the creativity that goes into this.

I hope I don't pick lame presents.

Because if I do, then I might not get to participate next year.

If I don't get to participate next year, I'll be so sad.

I might cry.

If I cry, my eyes will get all puffy & red.

And, you don't want to see my eyes all puffy & red.

It's NOT a good look for me.

So, do you understand the need to do this right?

Oh, the pressure!

Thanks for Trying to Help Me Figure Out What Was Wrong with Me. One of You Got It Right.

When I wrote the post below, the possibility that I could be pregnant never entered my mind.

Seriously.

Let me just say, though, that I am NOT with child.

Unfortunately.

I think my headaches & fatigue were due to stress.

MBKimmy, you hit the nail on the head.

Maybe I was hungry all the time because 3 out of 5 days, I eat a Pop Tart for lunch. I'm so busy, I don't have time to eat a proper meal.

Matt gets mad at me when I don't eat, but I just don't have the time.

******

Speaking of knocked up, which I AM NOT, we saw the movie, "Knocked Up" last night with some friends of ours from work.

It was hilarious.

OK, maybe it was a tad longer than it really should have been, but nonetheless, it kept us laughing throughout the whole 2 hours.

I did, however, lose count of the number of times the "F"-word was used in the flick.

At least, 100 times.

******

The other night, we went bowling with some friends.

I haven't been bowling in like a year & a half.

I really enjoy it...even though I totally suck at it.

Our 1st game, I bowled a 39.

Yes, that's a 3-9.

By the end of our 5th game, I had doubled my score.

A 78.

I took more pictures than this, but as you know, the internet is SOOOO slow at our house, so I only had enough patience to post one.

(Betsey, Courtney, Me, Katy)

Can I just say that I don't think I have posted one picture of me with my hair down?

I wear it down all the time, except for when a camera is near, apparently. And, I don't usually dress this crummy, so please excuse the fact that I look like a boy.

Speaking of pictures, I tried to take a picture of my new necklace, but it didn't turn out right. I'll try again & hopefully post one tomorrow.

*****

Oh, so you know how I told you Maisy didn't like green beans?

Well, Kari suggested I try baby carrots.

Um, well...she didn't care for those either.

Although, she really, really tried to like them.

But, in the end, she just prefered to flip them up in the air & watch them hit the carpet.

Any other suggestions?