http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240548&id=747578932&fbid=456581148932&ref=mf

I won a very special bar of Lavender Soap online. It just arrived today; I so ♥ Lavender & regret that I just took a bath before the mail arrived! This bar of soap is homemade and is encased in wool. Lisa, the gal that made this, has an etsy site. I know that I WILL be buying this before this bar is gone! I AM in Heaven! Thank you so much, Lisa!

Playing Solitaire and So Much More

When I was about 11 years old, my parents, younger brother & I went on a road trip, from Minnesota to Utah and points in between. We had a pickup camper thing, with a bunk above the cab of the truck and a table that converted to a bed. In other words, very small!

If someone was cooking, you had to be either sitting at the table or outside, because it was pretty much a one-person kitchen. My little brother was outside at the time, and my Dad and I were sitting at the table. I was playing solitaire, the old-fashioned kind with cards that you deal. I was down to the last few cards and decided that I would non-challantly switch the order of two cards (that's right, I cheated at solitaire).

Well, unbeknownst to me, while my Dad was sitting there, he was also watching me. When I switched the two cards, he said, "You know, if you can't be honest with yourself, you can't be honest with anyone."

I can't recall what I said to my Dad and how I handled it. I think I said something like, "Yeah, you're right" (I'm pulling an Ollie North, but that's another story to anyone under a certain age). BUT, I always think about that Moment in Time and the gift of wisdom my Dad gave me...

"Be honest with yourself."

Miss you, Dad!

The Beach at Lake City, Minnesota, USA

Accidental Pictures Can Be the Best

A friend and I went for a walk about two weeks ago.  There's a park and man-made lake near her house and it's a really pretty area.  I was going to take a pic of this rustic walking bridge and Sue 'got in the way' just as I was taking the pic.  I didn't tell her about the pic... her birthday is soon, so I had it made into an 8 x 10 and put it in a frame. A bunch of people that saw the pic loved it, so I thought Sue would like it, too. Sometimes accidental pictures are the best!  In case anyone is wondering, Sue doesn't use the pc much and I rather doubt that she will see this. 






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Conversation With A Friend

A little background info: I met a person on another website a year or two ago and we really connected.  We lost contact and she found me on a different website about a week ago.  This is an exchange of messages between the two of us, after I had sent her a message to tell her that my husband of over 40 years had recently passed away.  Some of the details are slighty changed to protect her identity; I will call her Sara (not her real name).

From Sara:

Mon, Jul 19

First and foremost, I am sooo very sorry to hear this Sandy. Truly.. I too am a widow. 8 years this month.

You are a strong and loving woman. I can feel that. So you are helping the children and grand children with their pain and numbing yours. You are not alone, my friend. I share that pain with you. Even today it still hurts, but I can’t help but find solace in the fact that he was MY husband, chose ME for his wife and loved ME as well as the kids. We were blessed and it’s a blessing that will always stay with you. I send you a big hug and all my positive vibes and love to you and your family, my Dear.

It's really great that we've crossed paths again. :))

Sara



Hi Sara

I'm also sorry to hear that you lost your husband. I knew you were single, but didn't remember your circumstances. I think time helps a little, but I don't think the hurt and loss ever goes completely away.

Wow, what you said about your hubby is exactly how I felt about mine. He told me many times that if I wasn't happy, he wasn't happy, because he wanted me and the kids to be happy. During some rocky times he even said that if I would be happier split up, he would do that just to make me happy. I reassured him that I was just going thru some 'grouchy' stuff and I didn't want to split. He was my rock & he put me on a pedestal. When we first got married, I was going to call in sick one day; he wouldn't let me. Said that it was dishonest and businesses are hurt by that. I think he was training himself for management even then.

I do feel that I am a strong woman; he knew he would go first, just not as soon as he did. He always told me to take care of the kids and grandkids and to live my life. Even said he would understand if I wanted to get married again. I haven't really thought about that much; I don't know if I could...

I am very happy that we crossed paths again, Sara! You are a really neat lady & if I was there, I would give you a great big hug! This sounds crazy, but I think reading what you wrote and writing back to you has put me in a new stage of grief. Ever cried happy tears? I'm sure you have... that's kind of how I feel right now. Not really crying, but my eyes are watering... well maybe I AM crying a bit. It feels good tho. Really good!

I've been blogging & I was wondering if you would mind if I put your letter and my response in my blog? The only people that see it are my friends on BlogSpot & I would change any info that may identify you. If you don't want me to, I would totally understand.

Thanks so much for being my friend!

Love, Sandy



From Sara:

Tue, Jul 20 2010

HI! I have to say that when I read your message earlier, I was so touched and I’m not gonna deny was in tears. Again, good ones for I felt I connected with you and that was my intention. No it never really goes away. The pain of loss that it but how could it when we love so deeply. It does help to know we're not alone. Thank you. By all means feel free to blog what you like. We can only hope it touches someone else who needs it. I’m so glad too that you understand what I wanted to convey. Where do you blog? I’d like to start doing it. May be good for me too. I used to write a lot and it’s been hard to in last few years.. Sorry for my late reply. I’m a bit slow on mobile phone. Only use laptop when my daughter brings her by.

Much luv to you always,

Sara



Hi Sara

That's what I was thinking, that it feels good to connect with someone that's in the same boat. It's nice to think about other people and know that we are not alone, that other people are going thru similar things that I am and that we can help each other by talking about it. I try not to feel sorry for myself and think about what other people are going thru; I know that many people are much worse off than I am.

Yes, I was crying when I wrote it, too.

Here's a link to my blog:

http://carsonsgma.blogspot.com/

Feel free to join and add me as a friend. If you want to use our conversations in a blog, feel free. Be sure & read my story, "A Rock in my Shoe," it's a really cool example of Karma working in a good way, something that happened to me. I've been blogging since June 17.

Take care, dear friend!

Love, Sandy

Doesn't Matter

I'm guessing it really doesn't matter what I write in my blog.  No one comments anyway.  Have a great week end...

Grrrrrrrrr!

Trust me, I am not stuck on myself!  I accidently 'followed' myself and now I can't delete myself as a follower...

The 1968 Project

I've been published!

http://people.mnhs.org/ugcs/index.cfm?sysid=6&action1=dsp_content&action2=dsp_single&contid=488

Fireworks at "The Lake"

July 4, 2010

Got thru another 'first,' the first Independence Day without my Hubby. 

We used to sit outside at "The Lake," on the beach and watch the fireworks on 'the other point.'  In earlier years, with Randy's Mom and Dad and our daughters.  In later years, with our daughters and the two oldest daughters' kids, our grand kids.  

Once, when our two oldest daughters were very young, we took the boat and parked (in the water) near where the fireworks are launched.  Each boat is about three feet apart and it's quite a zoo.  That was the first and only time for that!

Heather and I watched the fireworks from our Lake neighbors' patio this year.  Our neighbors are my son-in-law's parents, so we take turns hanging out.  As you can see, the fireworks are awesome when reflected on the water!

Another 'first' is behind us... 

Look Ma, No Cavities!

Had my six-month dental checkup today, including a cleaning, x-rays and flouride treatment.  No cavities, yeah!  I started having flouride treatments a while back every six months due to sensitivity, but it seems to be helping as far as not getting cavities.

A Rock in My Shoe

June 25, 2010: 

After what I call the "Un-Parade" (a parade that my daughter was to be in was cancelled after the first 10 floats, due to bad weather coming in), my daughter and I were on our way back to where our car was parked. I was wearing clogs, got a small rock in my shoe and stopped to get the rock out, apologizing to three people that had been walking behind us for abruptly stopping.  At this point, I realized that one of the people that passed us was our local State Representative, Andy Welti.  It was easy to recognize him because he has come to our door twice while campaigning and shook my hand (the matching yellow t-shirts that said something along the line of "vote Welti" might have had something to do with it, too).  I caught up with him and asked him if I could take his picture. He said sure and one of his companions asked me if I'd like to be in the picture, too. 

I got a kick out of the "Here is Andy" sign!  That is the story of how this picture came to fruition.  So, next time you get a rock in your shoe, maybe there's a reason why you need to stop for a bit...

Lunch

Had a nice lunch with a girl friend today.  It's good to stay in touch with friends; friends are the family you choose.

Happy Birthday, Randy... RIP RV

Today would have been my hubby's 63rd birthday. My daughter and I went to the cemetery and put flowers there. The grave where the flowers are is my hubby's Dad's grave; my hubby's grave is the unmarked one on the left. A marker is being ordered in a couple of days. I know all of the 'firsts' after someone dies are rough, but this 'first' really hit. RIP, RV... I miss you...

Out of the Storm

Today the birds are singing. Last night I went outside & sat on the swing while I was checking messages on my cell phone. It was cool outside & not humid, so we shut off the AC and opened some windows. I went to sleep last night to the tone of the wind chimes that Randy's Grandfather made out of pipes. I love those funky old wind chimes and so did Randy! He used to say, "Hear that? Grandpa's talking to us."

RIP, Randy... today would have been his birthday. It'll be a year on September 14, but it sure doesn't seem like it. I've heard that all of the 'firsts' after someone dies are difficult, but this 'first' hit me a lot harder than I ever thought it would. Miss you, Hon!

Storm After Effects

Just got Internet back! That was a long time; over 24 hours. Our power was out for about 11 hours; it could have been a lot worse; some people still don't have power and may not get it back until Monday. Some people lost their homes, businesses and three people in Minnesota were killed in yesterday's tornado that swept thru town. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected.

Thunder!

It's thundering outside & I'm using my laptop. A few months ago, I didn't have that option. Go technology!