Category: General

Rylanddotnet posted this Scary Baby at FilePile. I was so amused I had to share. Be sure to visit his *cool* site at A Boy and his Computer. Play with the themes. They rock. I really want to do that with this site someday…

I am so thankful for everyone’s support and kind words. I feel very enveloped in love right now, and that really helps. I am doing ok, although I am exhausted right now. I was a little stunned when I talked to my mom this morning – I didn’t realize last night that they aren’t quite sure exactly when he died. It may have been 2 or 3 days ago. I don’t think it could have been that long though – I would think the women at the nursing home would have noticed that he hadn’t been there to visit – he was normally there every other day at least. I am surprised that no one noticed that he wasn’t at church on Sunday. It’s such a small town, normally everything is noticed. I am however grateful that (from what I know so far) he didn’t suffer. It is almost harder in some ways to watch my grandmother deteriorate. He was just making plans a week or so ago to travel down to South Dakota this fall to visit family.

I came to work today – it has been better for me to have something to focus on. Keeps me from thinking too much right now. I know there will be rough times at moments ahead – thank you to *everyone* for your support.

Grandpa & Me, Sykeston, ND – July 8, 2001

Just as I was posting my last entry, my mom called. Sobbing & talking. I could not understand her at first (if I didn’t have caller ID I might not have even known who it was.) I asked what was wrong. She paused, took a breath, and repeated herself. My grandfather died. I am going through a zillion emotions right now, all of which seem to randomly prompt tears. My Aunt Carol had been trying to call him (she lives in Minneapolis) but wasn’t able to reach him. She then called her cousin who lives there in town – and Dennis & Diane went over and found him. I didn’t realize it, but my Mom said it has been very hot there (nearly 100) and he had no AC in the house. I don’t know if that played a role in his death, and even if it did it was because he ws weak. I am sad, but very thankful that I got to spend time with him just a month ago. He was 88, and had lived a very rich full life. I could tell when we were there that he was tired… I said at the time that it might be the last time I would see him. I knew, and I think he did too. He was more sentimental then he is known to be. He was so concerned about bringing my Grandmother home (she is in a nursing home with Alzheimers) because she hadn’t been there in 14 months – so we did it, my dad and uncles helped out as she is now in a wheelchair. He told me one night that if I wanted anything in the house to “just ask” – I brought home the rosary that used to hang on their bedroom wall (I remember it always hanging there…) a small cross, a statue of Mary, and a statue of Jesus. My grandparents faith was so evident to me, those were the things that mattered to me. I am wondering how this will effect my Grandma, I think routine is probably important to her (even with alzheimers) and … well, he isn’t coming back to see her any more. Argh. I don’t know… Once again, I am left wishing that I lived up north, closer to family – but growing up I normally saw them at least once a year. I am thankful for that, I am thankful for him, I am thankful for the many blessings that they had in their life. I am sad … but it was time. I know he is in a better place.

I will miss him.

I put together a page of various photos from this summer, along with rambling commentary. Sort of a photo journal. It may take a while to load, and later I will be putting up the “scrapbook” from my vacation as promised, but I wanted to do this tonight. I had to do this tonight.

I find it pretty cool that Adam Curry, formerly of MTV fame, has a weblog. I don’t know why that amuses me, it just does. Funny isn’t it that we start to think that just because someone is famous in one way or another that they are no longer like the rest of us. I have actually traded e-mails with Paula Vaughan, one of my favorite artists, especially her cross-stitch pictures. I have this one in my bedroom, and I stitched a different one for my mom. I want to do this one someday to go with the other one in my bedroom.

I went on a (gasp) date. Originally all we had planned was dinner at Lupe’s Tortillas, you know, allowing for an escape if things didn’t go well. We met there – the margaritas were fantastic, the tacos al carbon were soooooo tasty, the company was wonderful. We decided to follow the tasty meal up by renting The Family Man and relaxing, quite cozy. It was a nice evening. The movie was really sweet. Not the best I have seen, but the storyline and acting was so good it made it worth seeing. He was a really nice guy, perfect gentleman, and (yeah!) even asked me to call him today. Which I did. Hope to see him again. Had a wonderful time! Yippee! What a wonderful weekend it has been.

Today is it horribly hot outside. I am hiding inside in the air conditioning after running errands earlier. Blech. But I am getting lots of deep cleaning housework done! Off to tackle the closet and bag up clothes to donate to Goodwill.