A bleak November... Trying to find the "Sunshine"

Saturday, November 21, 2009

It’ has truly been a “bleak” November! I had high hopes looking forward to family and friends for Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Holiday season! The month started out with my “tuffie2 Beta fish” dying unexpectedly! Especially since he was my Valentines day present this year!

Then to add insult to injury, we had a power outage on Thursday the 12th, and it zapped the control panel on my Bosch washing machine! So after the repair dude came in – it’ll be another $300.00 or so to get it fixed. I guess for a washer that costs $1200-1500.00 to replace $300.00 isn’t so bad. The part will be covered by warranty, but we have to pay for the labor. The kicker to this all is that the part has to be sent from Germany. So now we’re “washing” at the Laundromat, and “drying” at home.

After the fabuloso trip to Dallas, our old dog Runt (17 yrs old -- 119 in dog years) was very fragile, and she passed away on Monday the 16th.

Now just a few days into the week, my Grandma A passed away. She was 96 and the light of our life. She was truly the Matriarch of the family. She suffered a major stroke, and passed away less than 24 hrs later. She was a GRAND and BEAUTIFUL lady, who lived her life well, and in the service of God.. It’s never easy, but she was able to go in comfort and in peace.

Of course, my grandson Roland went with us to the hospital, to see Grammy…. He was amazing. He was not afraid, and put his hand on grammy by her foot, and laid his head by her. I think she knew we all were there. How amazing is it that she was able to know and love that little boy! I just feel blessed that I got to be 48 years old and still had my Grandmother to love me!

We're in the midst of putting all the plans together, and we're deep in the "we gotta find clothes!) the jacket that Mike normally wears, is tooo small in the shoulders, so we will need to find something else for him to wear. I guess we'll zip to Nampa to see if we can find him a new jacket, or a nice new shirt/tie set. Sister Bobbie needed black pumps, so I think that I have a pair that she can borrow. However, I may have to indulge and buy myself a new pair of black boots "just becuz!"

The nursing staff at West Valley hospital that cared for Grammy and the family were amazing! They treated us as a family with enormous dignity and respect. In addition they treated a very elderly lady with compassion and care in her last few hours here on earth. THANK YOU to all!

Sister Bobbi's daughter Meliese and her daughter Sarah Elizabeth made it here from Denver, but she was just a few moments too late. The family "thought" is that Meliese was always Grandma's "favorite"... but ha ha ha... I always said that "I" was the favorite, and all of us kids always felt we were the "favorite"... What a testament to an amazing lady!

Then in the "wierd" category... It was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, we buried Mike's dad.. oh so many years ago (I think it was 1987).... and to add weird to weird.... We're burying Grandma on the EXACT SAME DAY 22 years later as the calendar this year is the same calendar day as it was in 1987.. whoa???? Back in 1982 we buried Mike's Grandpa Steffen the Tuesday AFTER Thanksgiving....

Then of course... Mike, the ever odd-ball dude says to me "I have a new suit that I can wear.... I have a new "santa suit"... all I can say is I'm sure GRAMMY would laugh!!! (Mike WILL NOT be wearing the santa suit to the cemetery)


I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family! Your hugs, kisses and prayers have been deeply felt!!! "Across the miles, or right next door, My friends have lifted me up when I could not lift up myself, Have made me smile when I forgot how to, were there for me in my times of need and best pf all... have been there for me when I needed nothing at all ."
Thanks to all…… more later ….