February Reading List

February
Twelve Times Blessed by Jacquelyn Mitchard
For One More Day by Mitch Albom
A Caress of Twilight by Laurell K. Hamilton
Sunday at Tiffany's by James Patterson
Switcheroo by Olivia Goldsmith

I think that's it. I have been reading a couple more books too but I'm not finished with them yet.

This and That

It was a very short weekend. Karl's funeral was Saturday. It went very well, as far as funeral's go. Sunday was spent cleaning house and doing some errands and now it is back to work.

I have a busy week ahead and several projects that I need to finish up.

I am so ready for spring and green grass and flowers. Kaelyn and I looked at all the Easter decor at the stores yesterday. So cute.

And I can't think of much else to write today. Have a great Monday!

Hi Kevin!

I found out yesterday that Kevin reads my blog! I really didn't think he did and it totally made my day that he would do that.

I guess I'll have to be a little more careful about what I write now ;)

My Cousin

My cousin Karl's sixteen-month battle with Cancer came to an end on Monday. Some would say that Cancer won but I think it many ways, Karl won. He knew it was terminal from the beginning, that treatment could buy time, but not a cure. He chose to fight. He fought his battle with grace, determination and humor. For example. not long after being told that he was terminally ill, he asked me to set him up on a date with one of my friends. I looked at him dubiously, and he smiled and said, "Hey, just tell them I'm not looking for a long-term relationship." Last Halloween, he dressed up as the grim reaper. Dressed in his costume, he went up to our local diner, and looked in the windows at all the diners. He pointed a finger at one, then another, before entering the restaurant. He then announced, "Don't worry, I'm only here for the carrot cake."

Karl was always fiercely independent. That didn't change. Despite his illness, he didn't want to be dependent or a burden on anyone. He quickly bought a car so he could drive himself to his own chemo treatments and doctor appointments. There may have been a few times we wondered if he should still be driving but he fought for that right and I admire him for that. Karl died too young. I think he still had a lot of living to do.

Karl's mother, my Aunt Sue, was an amazing person. She also died much too young, also from cancer. The past sixteen months, I learned how much like his mom Karl was. My Aunt died a few months before my high school graduation. Despite the celebration around this event, I felt her absense so strongly. Karl came, and he wrote me the most beautiful letter that day, reminding me of my aunt's love for me. This is something I will never forget and I don't think I ever told him thank you for that.

I loved seeing Karl joke with my daughters and I am so glad they got to know him. Karl would ask Kaelyn who her favorite cousin was, and she would answer him "you are". I think I would have the same answer.

Rest in peace Karl, rest in peace.

I'm Too Sexy...

While getting ready for work last week, Kaelyn noticed my shoes and said "Oh Mom...those shoes are sexy!" Wha? She saw my expression and changed her adjective to "cool" but then shyly asked "What does sexy mean?"

Quote of the Week

Just read this quote and had to share it:

The best way to predict the future is to create it. ~Peter Drucker

The Hunter

Long time readers of this blog (all two of you) will know that I am fascinated by the hunting instincts of our cat, Sam Henry. I am a lifelong dog person due to my mother's severe hatred of cats. It has taken my awhile to warm up to Sam but I am. Every night when the house is quiet, he comes and lays on my chest and sleeps. So sweet!

I don't know if it is his presence or what, but I have not seen one mouse this winter. This is the first time that has happened in the four winters we have been here. I even think it is cute that he leaves his prey on the porch for us to show he is earning his keep.

Until yesterday. Kevin called me out to show me that Sam Henry had left a dead squirrel in the front of the house. Kevin was amazed that Sam Henry had killed the squirrel! Mr. Squirrel was bigger than he is. But wait a minute...that dead squirrel looks familiar. Kaelyn and I had seen him laying in the neighbor's yard the day before when we were taking a walk. Sam Henry had just drug Mr. Squirrel home to earn some praise and hadn't done the killing at all.

I guess that's a good thing. Except now the girls want to add Mr. Squirrel to our rapidly growing pet cemetary in the back yard. And have a Squirrely funeral. I wonder if Sam Henry will come.

I'll spare you the grisly crime scene photos of Mr. Squirrel and share a picture of the little hunter being loved up by his girls.

Sacrifice

1.Put your iPod/mp3 player/phone (whatever) on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next song to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got this from.

IF SOMEONE SAYS "IS THIS OKAY," YOU SAY?Please Forgive Me/Bryan Adams
WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?I want you, I need You, I love You/Elvis Presley
WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL? I’ll Still Be Loving You/Restless Heart
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE? Epiphany At the Bistro/Eric Clapton
WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO? Tiny Dancer/Elton John
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU? This Love/Craig Armstrong
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN? All We Need is a Dream/Cheap Trick
WHAT IS 2+2? The Bitch is Back/Elton John
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?(Back To The) Heartbreak Kid/Restless Heart
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE? A Tender Lie/Restless HeartWHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY? Lying To The Moon/Trisha Yearwood
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? I’m Over You/Keith Whitley
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE? For Always/BeBe and CeCe Winans
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU? Long Lost Friend/Restless Heart
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING? Ten Feet Away/Keith Whitley
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL? I Wonder Do You Think Of Me/George Strait
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST? I Can Only Imagine/Rita Springer
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET? Little Jeannie/Elton John
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS? By Heart, By Soul/Avalon and Aaron Neville
WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN? Sad Songs (Say So Much) Elton John
HOW WILL YOU DIE?Ordinary Life/Kristen Barry
WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET? Empty Nest/Eric Clapton
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? Writhing Montage/Eric Clapton
WHAT MAKES YOU CRY? Keepin Out of Mischief Now/Ruby Braff
WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED? Honky Cat/Elton John
WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? This Flame/Margaret Becker
DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU? The Girl In The Pith Helmet/Eric Clapton
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE? Right or Wrong/George Strait
WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW? Somebody/Bryan Adams
WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS? Sacrifice/Elton John

Giving Thanks

God works in amazing ways. That's nothing new but some days, it is just so apparant that you can't help but be amazed by the wonderment of it all. My heart broke when I left my job last April. It was one of the hardest times I have ever went through. But then I was brought here, to my new job and it is so amazing and good. I am learning new things every day and getting to try new things to grow as a professional. And I get to work with people that are so amazing. It is refreshing to work with people that I respect and can learn from. I just left a meeting with a client who is having a difficult time. Watching one of my co-workers work with her and treat her with dignity and respect and actually help her...it is just amazing. It is humbling to me. And I am so very thankful to be here. So thank you God, for knowing that I needed a change and pushing me in the right direction. Now if only I would have listened earlier, maybe I would have a few less grey hairs.