Yesterday I decided to donate 10 inches of my hair to Locks of Love. Here's what's left. Thanks to Diana at Shear Style Salon & Spa in Yorktown for making it such a pleasant experience. I'll definitely be back.
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Sunday, July 21, 2013
Trip down memory lane...
Jewel and her faithful little dog Patch in one collage and my Dad and I when I was young.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Jewel's Recital - Her Last with her piano teacher, Carolina Coates
All good things must come to an end they say, and so Jewel's wonderful piano teacher is moving as the Army is transferring them as they need her husband elsewhere. We will miss her so much and are sorry to see her go, but are ever so thankful for her hard work, dedication, love, patience and talent -- an incredible talent she has shared with Jewel and that Jewel will continue to nuture herself -- Piano...
Here are Jewel's Recital Pieces (Sorry I didn't start the video in time.)
Jewel Playing for Recital - Andante Piano Sonata (K467) by Mozart
Jewel Playing Recital Piano Piece - Ronda Alla Turca Melody (K 331) by Mozart
Jewel Playing Recital Piano Piece -Sonatina, Op. 36, No. 1 by Muzio Clementi
But as one door closes, another opens and Jewel is looking forward to studying with her new piano teacher and continuing to learn and progress to greater heights.
Here are Jewel's Recital Pieces (Sorry I didn't start the video in time.)
Jewel Playing for Recital - Andante Piano Sonata (K467) by Mozart
Jewel Playing Recital Piano Piece - Ronda Alla Turca Melody (K 331) by Mozart
Jewel Playing Recital Piano Piece -Sonatina, Op. 36, No. 1 by Muzio Clementi
But as one door closes, another opens and Jewel is looking forward to studying with her new piano teacher and continuing to learn and progress to greater heights.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Visit with the Mom, Dad, Katie & our GrandGirls...
This month has been pretty busy and sometimes rather frustrating, but definately had some silver linings. My Mom recently has a double hernia surgery and had major complications which have now prompted her to be on oxygen 24/7 and her activities to be severly limited. Frankly, I and many in the family really thought we were going to lose her - but thanks to many prayers, love and support of many Mom is doing better for now and feeling a little more like her fiesty self, which I'm thankful.
I went back to Washington to help care for Mom for about 12 days and just prior to leaving, I was able to see my Dad and super sweet Step-Mom Dorothy. It was a really nice visit, though seemed too short of course -- there never seems to be enough time in the world to spend with aging parents. Pictures... I should have taken more, but I got caught up in soaking up every bit of time with family, or talking with my husband and daughter back home, whom I missed so much while away from home.
Toward the end of my stay, I felt better that Mom could now freely, but slowly ambulate in her own home with the aid of a walker, cook some of her own food and live as comfortably as possible while having multiple visits from visiting teachers & other church members, in-home health care - everything from a occupational therapist, physical therapist, respiratory therapist, and a in-home nurse monitoring Mom's status and helping her progress versus the stagnant, overmedicated existance of the nursing home she had previously left post surgical recovery at St. Joseph's.
The day I was able to visit with my Dad (who's health has also been deteriorating) & Dorothy was wonderful, we talked, shared family pictures & videos, laughed and even got to have dinner together at the nice retirement community where they live prior to returning home to Mom.
Then the day before I was to leave, my 'instant daughter' Katie came with our grandbabies and visited with my dear Friend Sasha and her Mom Melinda who had also come to visit at my Mom and Step-Dad's house. The tone had changed from somber upon my arrival the first day to take care of Mom to the last day which was full of a joyful noise of a busy home full of chatter and laughter. I know it was one of those special days for Mom she will forever treasure as it will be mine. Then, it was time to go and say goodbye to Mom and spend my last day with Kate and our GrandGirls.
Kate, Fiona, Bridget and I had so much fun doing the simplest of things - shopping at the dollar store for cleaning items as Kate was in the middle of her move turned into giggles, tickles and outright laughter as we drove the shopping cart around the store like a racecar (sound effects only though...). Putting the girls beds together and Kate allowing me to help with decorating ideas in her new house was also fun. Of course reading multiple stories to the girls and hugging & holding them bunches was a perk too!
At the end of the day, it was time for me to head off to the airporter to catch my ride back home to my much missed sweetheart and princess back home. I missed them so, but knew I needed to have been where I was. I feel at least peace knowing I've done my best at the end of the day. I am thankful for this bittersweet experience.
My 'Instant' Grand Girls bringing a smile to their 'Instant' Great Grandma Patti. This was such a treat as Mom hasn't been feeling very well and has recently been placed on oxygen 24/7 and mobility significantly restricted from before after her surgical complications. The matching red hair of Great Grandma Patti & the Girls was a nice touch I thought.
(Left to Right) Katie (my instant Daughter), Granddaughter Bridget, Rae (Me) & Granddaughter Fiona just before the girls headed off to bed & I off for the Plane trip back to Virginia.
Hugging my Precious Grand Girls! Tears had flowed recently before the picture so, we're all a little misty eyed - particularly Fiona (the oldest) & I.
Sisters (Our Grandbabies, Bridget & Fiona) Sleeping Sweetly Together after a Busy Day
I went back to Washington to help care for Mom for about 12 days and just prior to leaving, I was able to see my Dad and super sweet Step-Mom Dorothy. It was a really nice visit, though seemed too short of course -- there never seems to be enough time in the world to spend with aging parents. Pictures... I should have taken more, but I got caught up in soaking up every bit of time with family, or talking with my husband and daughter back home, whom I missed so much while away from home.
Toward the end of my stay, I felt better that Mom could now freely, but slowly ambulate in her own home with the aid of a walker, cook some of her own food and live as comfortably as possible while having multiple visits from visiting teachers & other church members, in-home health care - everything from a occupational therapist, physical therapist, respiratory therapist, and a in-home nurse monitoring Mom's status and helping her progress versus the stagnant, overmedicated existance of the nursing home she had previously left post surgical recovery at St. Joseph's.
The day I was able to visit with my Dad (who's health has also been deteriorating) & Dorothy was wonderful, we talked, shared family pictures & videos, laughed and even got to have dinner together at the nice retirement community where they live prior to returning home to Mom.
Then the day before I was to leave, my 'instant daughter' Katie came with our grandbabies and visited with my dear Friend Sasha and her Mom Melinda who had also come to visit at my Mom and Step-Dad's house. The tone had changed from somber upon my arrival the first day to take care of Mom to the last day which was full of a joyful noise of a busy home full of chatter and laughter. I know it was one of those special days for Mom she will forever treasure as it will be mine. Then, it was time to go and say goodbye to Mom and spend my last day with Kate and our GrandGirls.
Kate, Fiona, Bridget and I had so much fun doing the simplest of things - shopping at the dollar store for cleaning items as Kate was in the middle of her move turned into giggles, tickles and outright laughter as we drove the shopping cart around the store like a racecar (sound effects only though...). Putting the girls beds together and Kate allowing me to help with decorating ideas in her new house was also fun. Of course reading multiple stories to the girls and hugging & holding them bunches was a perk too!
At the end of the day, it was time for me to head off to the airporter to catch my ride back home to my much missed sweetheart and princess back home. I missed them so, but knew I needed to have been where I was. I feel at least peace knowing I've done my best at the end of the day. I am thankful for this bittersweet experience.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Day After Christmas 2010 Winter Storm
And what to my wondering eyes should appear?! SNOW! and yet MORE SNOW!!! and then MORE!!! Snow backing up to the back porch door. 
Yes, that IS our deck, deck chairs and planters! 
Funny pilling of snow atop the patio umbrella. 
Snow measurement by early afternoon. 
Snow that fell down on Jewel. 
Since the snow wasn't the greatest for snowmen, Ken decided the car would do, hence the smily face on the hood. 
LOTS of SNOW! 
My snow hammock - Don't I wish I could lay on it and it would feel like the big fluffy mattress it looks like! 
Find the Patchy Puppy! Patch trudging through the snow. 
Falcor smiling while running around enjoying the snow. 
Rooster in the snow... With the look of - What is this stuff? Now what do I do? 
The Rooster in the Snow looking at Laddie as if thinking - hey, that looks like a warm spot! Patch is going crazy having fun running around in the background. 
Rooster Deciding Laddie was a warm spot to roost. Laddie being the good sport and flock dog he is, simply ablidged. 
Our hens decided to stay warm in the coop. They don't like the snow much - they act like the sky is falling when the snow falls around them. 
Ken's self designed chicken coop roof did well on it's maiden snow storm load. 
The trail to warmth... 
Patchy bounding in the snow
Yes, that IS our deck, deck chairs and planters! 
Funny pilling of snow atop the patio umbrella. 
Snow measurement by early afternoon. 
Snow that fell down on Jewel. 
Since the snow wasn't the greatest for snowmen, Ken decided the car would do, hence the smily face on the hood. 
LOTS of SNOW! 
My snow hammock - Don't I wish I could lay on it and it would feel like the big fluffy mattress it looks like! 
Find the Patchy Puppy! Patch trudging through the snow. 
Falcor smiling while running around enjoying the snow. 
Rooster in the snow... With the look of - What is this stuff? Now what do I do? 
The Rooster in the Snow looking at Laddie as if thinking - hey, that looks like a warm spot! Patch is going crazy having fun running around in the background. 
Rooster Deciding Laddie was a warm spot to roost. Laddie being the good sport and flock dog he is, simply ablidged. 
Our hens decided to stay warm in the coop. They don't like the snow much - they act like the sky is falling when the snow falls around them. 
Ken's self designed chicken coop roof did well on it's maiden snow storm load. 
The trail to warmth... 
Patchy bounding in the snow
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