2012 - Week One - Let's Do This2012 - Week One - Let's Do This I'm starting off 2012 with a positive surge of energy and eagerness because I know this is going to be a great year!  This year, although I don't set new year's goals or resolutions, I am looking forward...

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Week Fifty - GiftsWeek Fifty - Gifts This week's post is all about gifts.  First I'll start with the gift of an amazing husband who cares for me way more than I could ever deserve.  This past week, my laptop that I use for doing my job...

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Week Fourty Nine - Lessons LearnedWeek Fourty Nine - Lessons Learned One of the things I have learned about blogging over the past years, is that the very thing that you most want to write about generally keeps you from writing. That thing is called life. When I get busy,...

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Week Thirty - Rabbits Reborn and Sharing the Game of SoccerWeek Thirty - Rabbits Reborn and Sharing the Game of... This week has been a long one.  Scott has been in Africa all week and does not get back until Wednesday.  Although I have missed him greatly, I have been able to accomplish much with the quiet house...

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Week Twenty Nine - Missions and MittensWeek Twenty Nine - Missions and Mittens Scott left for Uganda yesterday on his first mission trip, ever.  He will be gone for 10 days and is part of an all male (testosterone rich) group of coaches and active guys.  He was excited, nervous,...

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Celebrating Mother’s Day with Weeping

Category : Journal

A Weeping Willow tree that is… We celebrated Mother’s day a little differently this year. There is a background story to this. I will try to summarize it for you here.

There was a long standing arrangement between my mother and stepfather that allowed her to collect 20% of his golf “winnings” from his friendly wagering at the country club where they are members. My mother would keep this “stash of cash”, which was large indeed, because he is a very good golfer and probably a better grifter, until we were able to see them again. She and I would take this cash and hit as many resale and goodwill shops as possible in whatever area of the country we were in and would enhance our wardrobes tremendously.

When we were in town for mother’s memorial service, my stepfather gave me her “stash of cash” because he thought she would have wanted me to have it. I was at a loss as to what to do with it. I wanted to do something special. I did not want to go resale shopping with this cash by myself. So, I just tucked it away and knew that the right thing to do would present itself eventually.

Yesterday, we took a trip out to one of the larger plant nurseries in the area and found a Weeping Willow tree that is about 6ft tall. It was just sitting there among the other, much taller, trees and was calling my name. I had gone there looking for just such a tree and it was the only one they had. It was perfect! We also went to Lowe’s and purchased about 8 Crepe Myrtles that we planted in a line down our 1/4 mile long driveway. Mother was a prolific gardner and I think she would have been very happy to have her “stash of cash” spent this way. Now, every time we look at these trees we will remember her and enjoy them for years to come.

I hope your Mother’s Day was just as wonderful!

Me and Mom's Willow Tree Already pruning... The elusive Mr. K

At Peace

Category : Journal

My Mom

Georgia A. Christal

Born March 28, 1946 and in the presence of the Lord April 9, 2008.

Her Name is Georgia

Category : Journal

Georgia

She is a beautiful, caring, and loving woman.  Never hesitating to try to help others, especially family.

Georgia

The most cherished thing I ever received from her was her time.  She gives us her time and her energy, constantly and selflessly wanting us to succeed in any venture we attempted.  She is always there.

 

Georgia

She loves the mountains and outdoors, especially the trees.  She loves cutting her own Christmas tree each year, cutting firewood, and picking mushrooms.

Mom

Georgia, is my mother.

Georgia has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for an inoperable mass of malignant cancer cells on the wall of her brain.  She has been doing very well physically through these treatments and this past week was quite upbeat, as they were halfway completed.  She celebrated her 62nd birthday on the 28th of March, 2008.

Wednesday, April 2, 2008, Georgia was on her way to the hospital for her regularly scheduled radiation and chemotherapy treatment, just as she has been doing every weekday for the past three weeks.  Before leaving for the hospital she claimed that she did not know the man, my father, driving the car.  She could not recall what month it was, and was quite disoriented.  Upon arrival for her appointment, her health deteriorated rapidly, her blood pressure skyrocketed and she had a seizure for the first time in her life.  She was admitted to the hospital and a battery of tests commenced. 

Currently, Georgia is heavily sedated, stable, critical and in the ICU.  The outlook is not bright.  She may have any one of three types of meningitis, tuberculoses, or something they haven’t found yet.  This turn of events happened so fast that no one had time to think.  If there is ever a time to appreciate those around you, the time is now.  Please leave this post with a mission to tell at least one person you know how much they mean to you.  Thanks…