Our Beloved Gypsy

We lost our German Shepard Gypsy on April 7, 2014. She has been a major part of our lives for many years. We got her around 2002 from our daughter and she was our family member. 

Things will go on without her but I miss her every day. I hear a dog bark outside and look for her to make sure she is ok. I finish a steak or something at a restaurant and think of taking her the leftovers. I don't know how long she will be right there in the front of my mind this way but I think I will always miss her. 

We knew it was coming and we know it was the right thing to do but it's still painful. 

In memory of her we planted a tree on her grave in the backyard. This is the progress of the tree since April 7, 2014. 

April 7, 2014

April 20, 2014

Around the first of May. 

May 16, 2014

The garden is growing.

Second week of April 2014

Last Week of April 2014

16 May 2014

We started putting the garden during the first of April. The bottom picture was taken today 16 May 2014. 

It's always been fascinating to watch a plant grow from seed, to seedlings, flower, and then produce. It doesn't matter if it is an ornamental or eatable plant. 

I started the seeds for the garden in February and they have come a long way. 

I ended up buying some of the plants since I wasn't sure when I started the seeds how far we would get with the little garden. 

Still have a ways to go but it's coming along. 

The hostas and ferns are peaking through the earth and the new bed is looking great.

This bed is new and it's so exciting to see all the plants that were planted while dormant waking up. I love the new Japanese maple and I'm keeping annuals planted in the front of the bed so I can add seasonal color. 

The Iris's have finished blooming and summer is on the way.

The iris's are finished blooming and  summer is on its way. 

Spring is my favorite time of the year as everything wakes up from dormancy and lives again. 

We have so much work to do on the land since the place has been neglected for so long but it's great to see the iris's we do have. 

I do miss all the iris's we left behind when we moved from Texas in November of last year. 

Working on a quilt for Whitney

Just found the pattern and Whitney picked her colors. Teal and coral. 

These are not the normal colors i use. I hope this quilt will work out well in her home. 

The colors are actually a bit brighter than shown in the photo. My problem may be in finding a nice border. Hopefully I can find something that will help bring the colors together. 

I have a white on white background to go with these. 

Working on family tree

I have been working on the family tree since momma died. I started the account at ancestry a few years ago but I hadn't gotten very far. It has been a great tool to keep my mind busy. 

I tried making contact with a cousin to include her side of the family and share what I had found but I guess she was not interested. I grew up idolizing her. 

I've gotten a lot accomplished. 

Started a separate tree for Brian's family. It's coming along nicely and I have shared the tree with some of his family so the have access. 

Family Deaths

Momma

Aunt Debby

I lost my mom on the 2nd and lost my aunt on the 15th of this month.  Aunt Debby's funeral was the 21st. 

It's been hard losing 2 people who were so important to me and that I love so much.  It has been years since I saw either of them due to my medical conditions and I just lost touch with aunt Debby after Wendy died. 

I talked to momma pretty often but she had become reclusive and didn't go out much. 

It was wonderful seeing relatives that I haven't seen in so many years and painful at the same time. Knowing how many years I have lost not watching their lives unfold. 

Amber and Whitney have grown into such beautiful young women. I can see Nanny's hand in their sense of humor and their ready smiles. 

Momma's house has been taken care of and I am now working on paperwork. 

I had momma cremated because I couldn't stand the thought of leaving her alone. When I saw the urns I knew exactly which one was hers. When I started cleaning her house and boxing her belongings I found a vase that matches it so well. They look like they belong together. 

Rest In Peace!

RIP Momma

I lost my mother to a stroke on July 2,  she had a massive stroke a few days before and she would not have any kind of life so I removed the life support. 

Both of the above photos are of mom around her high school graduation. 

This is mom playing with me. She looks happy here. I seldom saw this side of her due to her depression. I wish I could have known her as a happy content person. 

Mom and dad. 

This is mom, nanny and me at my wedding on April 27, 1996. It was a really nice day and I have treasured the memories. 

I love you mom and I will miss you. 

Miss being creative and quilting

I am desperate to begin quilting again. The fabrics and patterns call to me even in my sleep. I have a simple pattern and all the fabrics pulled. I need to start quilting again to reclaim a little piece of my soul that feels like it's missing.

My Favorite Guys

Starting to quilt again

I have finally been able to start quilting again. The surgery from 2 months ago went well on my ankle and I am just starting to be able to push the pedal down with my foot. Going to try again today and see if I can use the sewing machine more than a couple of minutes.

New Baby Born

Baby Gabriel John was born on December 19 which happens to be my birthday also. He is a very welcome new addition to our family. Can not wait for the new parents to bring the baby to see me and spend the week with us.