Can't control who you love

It is time for me to think back of love and silliness.  It will help me to place my emotions in a much better place then yesterday.  I do want everyone to know that I am better.  I finally spoke to Barbara last night.  One of the hardest things for me, but it was so important for me to let her know I am there always day or night ... just a phone call away.

Last night I made a photobook that I have sent her of photographs that I have taken of Richard and her, as well as, others I was able to get off of facebook.  It is a personal journey of what both of them are and will always mean to me.  Hopefully in the moments of need, my photobook will bring her some comfort.

And now, on to happier thoughts.  As always, one of my favorite things to do is to add just the right touch of humor to some of my work.  That is how I decided to create this morning.  My thoughts were filled with how it seems opposites attract ... so my little gem is on that special couple.  Hope you like them.

You can download them at:

http://www.4shared.com/zip/xYTG-ypE/cant_control_who_you_love.html

 

I want to extend a special thanks to

DarkuAngel of Deviant Art

for her element called "Wierd Love".

Her artwork is so inspirational and absolutely adorable.

You can find other examples of her work at

www.deviantart.com.

 

 

And .....

Is everyone ready to continue

on

My Texas Family Vacation???

 

 

One of the things that we always, always do when we go to Texas is let Angie and Reggie go out for a evening all to themselves.  It is just a way of letting them have some time with each other, as they do not have any grandparents that live near by now and ....

 

So we can have undivided time with just our grandchildren!!!!!

 

All day the kids had talked about where we were going to go eat and what we were going to do that night while Mom and Dad went out.  It was "hurry up and get out" by all grandparents and kids combined. 

 

It's called

let's get it on Papa and Nana style

Woo hoo ... Mom and Dad are gone .... Mom and Dad are gone

 

Let's see who can get in the car faster  and a thirteen year old directly Papa driving.  She knows how to get to Double Daves Pizza Parlor.  Papa wants his GPS ... but decides he'll trust Miss Abby and give it a shot.  Afterall, we get lost .... that's what the GPS is for.  And, we arrive without one little mishap.  It's pizza, salad, games, coin machines and then going back for more for everyone.  It's being able to be as loud as we want!!!  It's being able to be just as silly as they want!!  And, it's Soda nonstop.  Finally we're all stuffed and head back to the house.

 

Now, the problem arrives .... Papa gets lost because it's dark outside!!!  Doesn't know Katy when the sun disappears.  Ryan says lets just go exploring .... we'll get home sooner or later.  Now, Nana loves, loves games ... even if Papa doesn't love Houston traffic!!!  We all vote and Papa loses.  He can't use his GPS.  It took us forty-five minutes to get back home (fifteen minutes drive) and my husband is not a happy camper.  But, he is a good sport because the only one he lets know he's mad at ... is me.

 

Yea!!!!  Here's the house .... now the real fun can begin.  It's Just Dance 4 time!!!!!

 

This is called the swim.

 

And, he does the point.

Didn't know the boys could do ballet ......

 

You're asking ...

Did I do it, really .....

I'll never tell ...

 

But, Ryan ....

LISTEN TO ME

You need to go this way!!!

 

or at least

STAY IN STEP

 

Now came the shocker for me

My sweetie-pie, Mr John

got up and danced, too

to my astonishment!!!

 

With him threatening every moment

DON'T YOU DARE TAKE MY PICTURE

 

and I got him more then once!!!!

Doing great, Papa

 

That man of mine is in the groove to

"Allie McBeal's theme song"

 

unfortunately I can't remember the name of the song.

 

I also danced with Abby, Ryan and Sean for the better part of three hours.  But, unfortunately I can't show a photo of me .... because I just plain forgot.  Maybe next time.  I think I lost 1000 calories that night because I have never had a workout like that one!!!!!

 

Mom and Dad evening was a complete success, too.  They went out to dinner just the two of them and then out bowling with friends of theirs.  Here is that handsome couple when they came home.

 

 

And, unfortunately or fortunately .... however you want to look at it ... that handsome hunk had "one beer" to many to attempt to "dance" after "bowling.  It ended up being just Papa, Angie, Nana, Abby, Ryan and Sean until the wee, wee hours of night!!!!  Laughter galore!!!!

 

Until tomorrow, enjoy your weekend.

 

Hugs, Sue

 





 

 



 



 



 

 

With loving thoughts to Barbara

 

 

 

Download at:

http://www.4shared.com/zip/hITK6hdn/live.html

 

 

Today it is with a very heavy heart that I come.  

 

Barbara is a dear, dear friend of mine and on January 30, 2013 she lost her husband, Richard.   I first met Barbara at my daughter, Angie's bachelorette party over fourteen years ago.  She is the mother of Angie's sister-in-law, Jackie.   After that night,  Barbara and I became great friends.

As a single mother, I admired Barbara.  She has two children Jackie and Anthony.   She is bubbly and just a sweetheart.   Life has not been easy for her either.    I really don't want to share anything from her past except to say she is a survivor.   And the men in her life were what I call "bastards".   She seemed to only meet men that wanted her as a "trophy", never marriage.   And, in her sweetness, (whatever you call it) ...  she never seemed to realize what kind of men she was drawn to.

And, then she met Richard five years ago and I couldn't have been happier for her.    And, when he asked to marry her ... wow.   He was one of the gentlest, sweetest and most caring men, I have had the honor to call friend.    He made loving Barbara look so easy, because he worshipped the ground she walked on and she has done the same in return.    I know he gave Barbara the stability she had never experienced.   And, in turn ... Barbara just blossomed.    He's funny and just loved life to the fullest.

For five years, I have known that God sent this wonderful man into her life.    He was and is the part of her life that made it whole.   He made her complete.   And, gave her all the happiness she has so justly deserved.

Barbara and Richard

"The day they met"

Barbara and Richard

"Last summer in New Orleans"

I want to include a photo of her beautiful daughter, Jackie

Doesn't she look just like her mother, Barbara

 

and son, Anthony

Her kids at Mardi Gras, New Orleans

 

From talking with Jackie last night, she told me that it appears that Richard may have suffered from a deep vein thrombosis.   He had been complaining of severe leg pain.    Jackie said, she had called her mother to find out how Richard was doing and upon talking with her mother and then Richard he said the pain had gone away and "he felt better than he had felt in days".   Approximately thirty minutes later Richard said "my lips feel numb" and went to go to the bathroom.    She said her mother said that Richard called her name and when her mother went to him, he collapsed.   He died in her arms moments later.    To me, it sounds like a pulmonary embolism.  And, I honestly don't know if he'd been to see a doctor. 

This is the reason, my heart hurts so deeply.    I just don't feel that Barbara deserved this.    I am so sad, this just seems like a nightmare.  And I want to somehow go back to January 29th and find out this really, really isn't true.   The funeral is tomorrow and there isn't even anyway for me to go home to be with Barbara.   I have been unable to get through to her on the phone and I just feel so far away.   I have already cried so many tears, but I am crying now again.    I just can't imagine what she is going through.

 

My wordart is dedicated to Barbara and her wonderful husband, Richard.  Even though, I know she will never read this, hopefully in some small way my prayers will be with her today.  May God wrap her in peace and help her through the days ahead.  It was the only thing I could think to do today to let her know that all my thoughts are with her and more importantly tomorrow.  I love you, Barbara.

 

Hugs, Sue

 

 

I love you ....

Love is in the air .... with my favorite puppy.

Here is my preview:

You can download him at:

http://www.4shared.com/zip/sjPjoyos/i_love_you.html

 

Today is very short and sweet.  I have just got to much on my plate today, but I didn't want to forget about you guys.

 

I promise I will continue with my journal of my Texas vacation tomorrow.

 

Hugs, Sue

Marked Down Chocolates

Hi everyone. 

I have been busy, busy, busy .... trying to get everything done.  It has been a challenge to say the least.

Trying to get back into the swing of things of being back home .... what can I say, but OH MY GOSH !!!!!  I really would have liked to have about an extra twenty-four hours in each of the last few days.  My computer has literally been in overdrive. 

But, first things first .... again today I am using one of my freebies from last year because it's just plain easier!!!!  This is one of my all time favorites, too.

Here is the preview:

You can download this at:

http://www.4shared.com/zip/Fv6mO5ZO/marked_down_chocolates_1.html

 

NOW ON TO THE BEST STUFF

 

I am going to tell you a little about my trip to Texas through photographs ...... my trip started with getting the suitcases out of the basement.  What clothes to take ... decisions, decisions.  Will I need long sleeves or short sleeve?

 

 

 

The trip is on it's way.  What adventures we are on ... it's miles and miles of scenery.  One of our views along our roadmap was Indian National Parkway in Oklahoma.  Where are the indians and the teepees?  I guess I'll just have to use my imagination.

 

 

 

 

One of my fascinations has always been deserted houses.  I wonder what happened to the people that use to live there.  This rundown home is no exception. Did a storm cause them to leave?  It just looks cold and sad to me.   And, for those that might want to know I took this with my camera going 75 mph through the window!!!  I LOVE THIS CAMERA!!!

 

 

 

 

 

I've talked that hubby of mine into an earlier stop.  It's heaven to get into the room before 7:00pm.  With dinner at Outback Restaurant, then time for relaxation, plenty of flirting with my hubby, time for television and a good book and sleep are the order of the night ... and exactly in that order.

 

 

 

 

I'm dreaming of Texas and my daughter, Angie.  What better dreams can I have?  I know when I wake up .... I am really, really going to see her!!!!  Have I told you I have missed her like crazy!!!  She is my daughter I call "Sunshine".  Soon I'll be catching up on all the latest gossip.  But, I won't escape exercise .... cause' she's my exercise freak !!!  Must tell you, she ran her first marathon on January 13th.  AND I CAN'T RUN 500 YARDS!!!!  I can't wait to see her smiling face and give her the biggest, huggiest, monster Texas style hug ever!!!!

WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!!!
 

After all the hugs and kisses, Popeye Chicken and suitcases up to the guest room ....

it's time for Papa and Nana's

one and only

personal concert from Master Ryan

 

It was like heaven to our ears even if there was a "frog stuck" inside at moments.  His father kept telling him to get the poor thing out and and let him breathe.  What .... his father doesn't know great jazz if it bit him in the butt!!!  Just the same, these grandparents CLAPPED and CHEERED  because he will always be the best in our hearts.  This is my third grandchild and even though you're not suppose to have a favortie ... HE IS THE ONE!!!!

 

This is just a start to get your attention.  My journal will continue of each day.  I wanted to start just with this little glimpse into my world.  I hope you enjoy the trip as much as I did.

 

And, for any of you that are newcomers to my world, I want to welcome you.  Please come and sit awhile.  I offer daily freebies on many different themes.  During the next couple of weeks I will be doing most of them on the valentines and love.

 

I am sooooo glad to be back.

 

Hugs, Sue

 









Wrong Person

Yes, you are seeing right ..... I am finally home again!!!!!  And, I have to tell you it sure was hard to leave all that gorgious weather with temperatures of 75 degrees and come home to COLD, ICE AND RAIN!!!!!

Just the same, I am so happy to talk with all my cyber friends again.  It seems like an eternity since I was here.

I promise I will tell you all about my trip, but without delay I want to post today's freebie.  With Valentine's Day just around the corner .... this one pokes a little fun at CUPID.  Hope you don't mind.  It is one from last year, as I don't really have time to create a new one.  Just the same I hope you like it.

Without delay,

here is a preview of today's free wordart

 

This one includes versions for the others, as well

 

You can download this at:

http://www.4shared.com/zip/u-QdnCes/Wrong_Person.html

 

Again ........  I AM SO HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY to be back home again.

 

Got to go unpack, download five hundred photos, go to the grocery store, enjoy the quiet and go hug my bed again.

 

See you tomorrow.

 

Hugs, Sue