Thoughtprints

So, I thought I should post at least ONE entry in the month of February. *wink* How are you all? You've been in my thoughts daily, believe me. It's been kinda' nice, though, being away from the puter as much as I have been. Not away from YOU, but away from the puter. Okay? :)

Me? Oh, I've been okay, I guess. A lot has been happening, as always. It would take forever to write it all out, so I'll try to condense it for ya':

Our neighborhood changed forever when, on January 23rd, Vera died. She's been our neighbor for as long as we've lived in this house (16 years), and was like another grandma to my daughter. She was 90 years old when she passed. A very vibrant 90 year old, too, I might add - until she became ill. She required surgery, and sadly was not able to recover from the toll it took on her body. She is sorely missed.

My oldest son (Brayden's Daddy) walked into work one Friday morning and was told, along with all other employees, that when they went home that night they would not be returning. The store was closing - THAT DAY! It's been a devastating blow to their family, as my daughter-in-law is a stay-at-home Mama. We help as much as we can, for which my son feels extremely guilty, but I told him that one day his own son would probably need help in some way and they will be happy to do whatever they can to help him, just like we are happy to help them. :) Then, to make things even harder, he found out a week ago that his grandfather on his father's side (my ex father-in-law, with whom I remain friendly) has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. I feel just horrible and pray along with my son that they doctors caught it early enough. Thank God he has yearly physicals!

The main water line in town burst a couple of weeks ago, causing the city to issue a boil order for all water. It lasted nearly a week. Funny how we take the smallest things for granted until we don't have them anymore, huh. I never appreciated clean water and the ease of turning on a faucet as much as I do now!

My sister called me from work one afternoon in a panic and asked me to come get her. She was having dizziness which left her unable to walk a straight line or even gather her thoughts well. It scared me silly! Turns out the flu she had been fighting for 2 weeks prior had caused the dizziness, and she had to stay home from work an additional couple of days and do nothing but rest. Boy I'll tell ya', that flu is BAD! Scary stuff!

My younger son (21) has taken a second job, so now he is bartending a couple nights a week, doing software support at a call center at night, and going to school during the day. And he still manages to work in "hangin'" time with his friends, too! Oy! I wish I had that kind of energy! LOL

I dialed my mother's phone number about a week ago. Just to see if it was still out of service or if it had been reassigned. It's been reassigned. Some guy answered. I apologized and told him I had the wrong number. I hung up ..... and then I cried. The phone number we had had for over 40 years isn't ours anymore. It's too weird to comprehend sometimes. In fact, I think I'm living in a bubble of denial. Sometimes the bubble pops a leak and the tears pour hard and steady, but I manage to patch up the hole and go back inside. It's where I feel safe. For now.

Family friends of ours have a new grandson, born Feb. 3rd. :) Their daughter is one of my daughter's best friends. The son, Nate, and his wife, April, welcomed Cole Anthony home on Valentine's Day, after being born 6 weeks early. He's teeny tiny but growing like a weed, and is doing really well! They had to life-flight April to Denver when her water broke so early, and it just so happens that camera crews from Discovery Health Channel were there filming for their series, "Miracle Births" (or something like that, anyway lol). They were told it will air sometime towards summer. I'm so excited to see it! If I find out exactly when it will be shown, I'll let ya'll know in case you want to watch it. :)

My birthday is in 16 days. I don't want to celebrate it this year. Maybe never again. I'm not sure yet, but I know I don't want to celebrate it this year. My birthday last year was the day we took Mom to the E.R. She never came home again. My birthday last year was the last time I had a truly coherent conversation with my mother. Last year on my birthday I opened my card from my Mom in the emrgency room with her. I used the gift certificate she gave me to the beauty salon last year on my birthday to have my hair done for her funeral. I don't want my birthday this year.

I guess that's all for now. I hope you are all doing incredibly well and are smiling BIG! :) I love you! ((((((HUGGG)))))) Oh, and a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Patrick!! :)