Marlea made my day!

So it has been a very good and productive, albeit emotional week. I have been in classes the last two days learining SUNY G's online course management system "MyCourses" and it has been cool. I had a very crass post on this blog yesterday by a disturbed individual, and my sister and I were quite rattled and hurt to the core by it. (now that feature is disabled, we've gained perspective thus problem solved). I got home from work tonight to find a box between my screen door and storm door. It said "Live, Cut Flowers." Well I had ordered some bulbs, etc to plant in the "tree circle" of previous post, an I was thinking, "Oh no, why did the company cut my flowers...or "uh oh" I thought I was ordering bulbs for lillies and such, maybe I checked the wrong box." To my utter suprise, I opened the box and the most beautiful summer boquet met me. How breathtaking. I read the card and it was from a very special lady, Marlea O'Brien from my Iowa job. I burst into tears. I have regained my composure, but if you look carefully in this photo, you can see the "ptosis" on my right eyelid as a result of the crying jag! Ooops!

MAMMA MIA MANIA

(You can stop the music-video widget by clicking on the "play" button.)
Why was Mamma Mia the PERFECT movie? Because it mixed the songs I literally grew up with into a storyline that was romantic, touching, optimistic and fun, and it pushed all my hot buttons. Background-- in 9th grade Robin Selgeby and I were chosen to go to Red Cross Leadership Training Center somewhere up by Devil’s Lake, ND. We were so excited and we even rigged up a dance routine for the talent show and were dubbed “Dancing Queens” ala ABBA. While there, we both got huge crushes on Witt Pauley, a camp counselor with cherubic blonde curls. I, however, was astute enough to know that he was the “victim” in the drowning scenario training scheme. Boy did I run fast to get to the lake for that emergency (there was CPR involved!). That summer and the next ABBA was THE band for this girl. I bought the 8 track with the money I made working at Stephenson’s Music Store, and I played it over and over on my stereo. Those songs…ahhhh heaven. I swear I can still smell the coconut butter suntan lotion I wore while listening to those songs. I love every minute of the movie and I find the actors to be so natural and so full of joi de verve... but some special parts included when Merril’s character, Donna, runs through the chateau singing and all the village women drop what they are doing to sing and dream with her. We all need dreams. Of course I cried when Donna sings “Slipping through my fingers” as she gets Sophie ready for the wedding. Ohhhh I need to see this movie again and again with my Kira, with my Nathan and with all the people I love!

Happy July

Well I miss my mom. There are so many times I have wanted to pick up the phone to tell her something. It is very hard to lose your mom. I loved the service--it was comforting and soothing and the funeral home was beautiful plus it had the same view that my mama had for the last 7 years of her life. Sue had some of the cremains put into a silver, tear-drop "vault" necklace and I got it this week. It gives me such comfort to wear it as it sits next to my heart. I will say I am a fan of cremation, however and for the record, cremate me.

Connor and I got back to Geneseo on Monday evening. It was a warm night and we found that Trevor had joined a soccer team, had spent the night at a different friend's house each night and had "managed" the movers. He did a wonderful job, and although he made friends with the movers and maybe let them slack a bit too much, we are slowly getting all the things where they need to go, save for Connor's trundle part of his bed. I can't work out how to get that up the stairs, even IF Trevor is strong.

Here are photos of the rooms that I have all ready, and of the outside of the house. We have mowed once and tomorrow will need to do it again. Geneseo is BEAUTIFUL. The weather is wonderful and it gets cool every night. We don't have air conditioning, but we don't NEED it. This week was the air-show and the town festival. We met many of our very nice neighbors and are settling in well.

Cousins Bond

This is a time for us all to gather and learn about our family and family history. Cousins Kira, Trevor, Dakota, Connor AND Amelia, when possible are spending quality time together. This is what family is about. The kids have adventures each day and they come back and tell Grandma about their outings! Grandma is loving the activity and the photo-reports! Today Neil and Dale arrive, and more stories will unfold. Grandma is sleeping more and more, but she is still in her apartment, and she is still doing some of her activities of daily living. I am just so thankful I can be here this month and stay with her!

Rainbows and Safeway-- Must be a sign of good things for all

Kira snapped these photos the other night. If she only knew the symbolism!

End of a beautiful boatride