Ahhhhh yes!!  My most favorite of comfort foods.  For as long as I can remember, if ever there was a time that I was sick, it would never fail that at some point during the day, a marvelous aroma would begin to waft from my Momma's kitchen.  Always, always, it was potatoe soup.  It didn't matter HOW sick I was or how horrible I felt, I could always eat me some of Momma's potatoe soup.  She would fix a nice piping hot bowl, served with butter and her secret spices (which I eventually learned) and some crackers.  Oh, and you always had to have a big glass of 7-Up to go with it.  I don't know what it was about that soup, it always made me feel better.  Always.  So, today, I am home from work, still sick.  I got up this morning, went for my allergy shots and came back home, took some medicine and took to my warm comfy bed.   Fast forward a couple of hours.  I realized that I had ALL the magical makings for my Momma's potatoe soup.  So that is what I just prepared.  The thing is, it doesn't take long.  It is hearty and just warms your fevery bones.  It is pure comfort served in a bowl.  I put the pot on to boil at noon and by 12:30, presto.  I was eating me some soup.  Oh man!!  It is the first time I have felt warm ALL day!!  My Momma was a GENIUS I tell ya!!  That soup tasted just as good as it used to when she made it for me.  And I feel a little better already.  So remember my friends.....potatoe soup is MAGIC!!  My Momma proved it over and over again.  Try it and let me know if it isn't MAGIC!!

 

BBB

Yeah....that's what my week has been like.  Lots of stuff going on.  Some good, some not so good, some just kind of in between.  Here's some snippets of my week.

 

1.  I have a doggone stupid upper respiratory thing going on.  I get this every year.  It is a pain in the patootie as well as my head.  I have had the cough, runny nose, sore throat, head ache.  You know the drill.  Puffs* are my very best friend.  I look like Rudolph's long lost sister.  I hate it.  And it usually lasts a while if it holds true to form.  I woke up every hour last night.  All night.  Every.  Hour.  Ugghhhhh.  I'm freakin' tired.

 

2.  Hubby hit his head and looks like I beat him or something.  He has a huge gash on his forehead, all the hide off his nose and a cut and bruised lip.  The electiricity had gone off at his office and he went to check on the breakers which are outside.  When he stood up....behold....the  POLE which he hit face on as he stood up.  Poor guy!!  I, of course, wanted him to get stitches in the forehead, which, of course, he refused.  MEN!!  Hmmpphhh!!!

 

3.  Puppy.  There is a possibility of getting a new puppy.  It seems that the mother of my grand-dog has had another litter of puppies.  There is only ONE female.  I have first dibs on her.  I need to decide soon.  This little girl (who is only DAYS old at this point) could be Lucie's twin.  She fit very nicely in the palm of my hand.  In case you don't remember, Lucie is a Shitzu.  Did I say I need to decide soon??  Considerations are:  My weimie might freak.  One of our outside dogs is aggressive (however we do have a HUGE pen we can keep the offender in if need be).  Hubby says I can have her if I want.  Yeeeeehawww!!  I gotta decide soon.  Oh.  I said that.  This cold must be affecting my BRAIN!!!

 

4.  The past comes back at you.  I got a call from my Daddy.  It seems that my old piano teacher, of whom I was deathly afraid and quit playing piano because of, is a brand spanking NEW resident of the assisted living facility where he lives.  This woman used to scare the bejeeebers outta me by constantly yelling at her kids for one and for two, telling me if I didn't hold my hands "just so" I would be burned.  Yeah.  Can you believe someone would tell a kid that??  This woman was just plain scary.  Truly she was.  Now, I know I was one of those really quiet, shy and fearful kids anyway.  But, what kinda teacher does that I ask you?  Needless to say, she wasn't my teacher for long.  My middle sister perservered and kept with her lessons.  I wish I had.  Oh well.  Anywho, she is now living nearby. 

 

5.  I am listening to the news.  A guy here in the Tulsa area was stupid.  I know.  Hard to believe.  Seems he had his four kids for the night and couldn't resist putting those kids in his car, going to the nearest T*tty bar, leaving his kids in the freezing cold car and going in to have a few beers and ogle the ladies.  Luckily, a cab driver happened to see the children before any harm came to them either from a)  some OTHER pervert who might come to said bar; or b) the poor little ones froze in the freezing cold car at night...by themselves.  I hope this jerk gets all kinds of charges filed against him.  Idiot man!!

 

6.  Jane...my hubby and I had a very similar conversation to yours and Homer's.  About Christmas gifts.  The thing is.....if we want something....we buy it.  Pretty much whenever we want.  My problem is coming up with something I really want.  I LOVE jewelry.  And collect watches.  However, jewelry is expensive.  And what I would want....I wouldn't even dream of asking for.  So I don't.  Watches are always a good gift.  Clothes are the only other thing I can think of.  And he usually picks neat stuff.  I just don't know.  And I have NO clue what to get him.  Oh the dilemma.  We've gotta be figuring this out soon.

 

7.  I need a new Christmas party outfit...but have felt too crummy to go look for one.  I seriously need something.  I have parties coming up.  Next week!!  I need HELP!!  I need something pretty....and did I say NEW???  Oh worra worra.  Go away cold.  I gotta get something.  Did I say soon?  Oh yeah.  I did say that.  Sheesh.  My brain must really be fried. 

 

I think I better hop off here.  I need sustenance.  I need food.  I need to breathe.  I need to go to bed.  I need sleep in my nice cozy bed. 

 

See ya next time, friends!

 

BBB

Holidays that is.  There were definitely some firsts this Thanksgiving.  It obviously was my first without my Momma.  That just sucked big time, but as a friend at church (who lost his Dad a few days after I lost Momma) said...life goes on whether you like it or not.  So true.  Did I like it?  Not so much....but it was okay.  Another first was going to the kids' for Thanksgiving.  That's really not the "first".  The firswt  was spending it with SIL's brother and sister-in-law from Texas who basically drank from the time they pulled up and got out of their vehicle.  Sheeesh!!  That was a trip.  Another first....was NO mashed potatoes!!  I mean, we always have mashed potatoes.  It is almost scriptural at our family gatherings that you have mashed potatoes and LOTS of them, and gravy.  Ummmm....no gravy either.  We had potatoe salad.  Okay.  I admit it was technically a FORM of mashed potatoes.  But it was just weird not having traditional "taters and gravy".  I never said I wasn't weird.  Nope.  Never have claimed that.  Another first.  Evidently for the benefit of my Daddy....my middle sis actually attended my oldest sister's "do" on Friday....and GOT ALONG swimmingly as far as I could see.  I cannot tell you what a relief that was.  Daddy had all his "girls" there except Momma and he was a happy camper. 

 

I am pretty proud of myself that I only cried twice this holiday.  Once on Thanksgiving morning and once yesterday when we were leaving after a visit to my mother-in-law at her nursing home.  I just wished I could have hugged and kissed MY Momma.  But other than those two blips on my radar, I would say it was pretty good time spent.  I did crack up at my littlest grandchild.  She is such a hoot at 3.....always "on" if you know what I mean.  I don't call her "La Princess" for no reason.  She changed outfits no less than a dozen times.  Her new fave movie is "Hocus Pocus" which she loved because it is scary.  Hmmmm....imitating her big sister no doubt, who LOVES scary, weird, gory movies (which I would NEVER let her watch) but that her Momma does.  Heck, she's seen movies even I woudn't see.  Anywho...the baby loves this movie because of the scary factor.  And she is such a little drama queen too.  Just part of being the "baby child" and I should know for "baby child" antics because I WAS one.  We are sitting there getting the movie going and she is yacking away to me about the movie.  All of a sudden, she looks down at her arm and sees a little (and I mean LITTLE) red spot.  Well she jumps up and runs in the kitchen screaming "Mommy I am hurt....it hurts so bad!!"  at the top of her little lungs.  I was quite taken aback.  She had to have hurt it at some prior point in time....no tellng when....but just happened to notice it at that point.  When she came back from her visit to her Momma, I asked if she wanted me to kiss it and make it better.  She said yes.  I did and then immediately she was ready to  watch the movie.  What a HOOT!!  The little dickins!!!

 

Another first.  I attended a fund raising concert Friday evening at the legendary Cain's Ballroom.  Now the Cain's is so historical....having birthed the country swing movement with the legendary Wills brothers.  I have lived in the Tulsa area all my life.  I had never set foot in the Cain's until Friday night.  What a neat old venue!!  The benefit was for  "Cancersucks" which is a locally run charity started by one of hubby's customers after his Mom died of cancer.  I have to say I was impressed by the work this man does and all he accomplishes to raise funds for cancer research.  He had some of the best local talent, all o f whom not only performed for free, they also went out and sold tickets to the show.  They had an excellent silent auction of musical instruments signed by various famous artists.  Was the type of music my cup of tea??  Not so much.  A couple of local bands, A.D.D. and RadioRadio were excellent and very enjoyable.  One group called "BaGuys" (a play on bad guys) was just horrible.  The lead "singer" and I use that term loosely....stood up there and screamed the words to the "songs" and I use that term loosely.  It was just excrutiating for me.  And they performed four songs.  And I prayed for them to be DONE.  There was a little "goth" girl sitting behind me and after one of the "songs" she looked at me and said "You look totally lost!"  I proceeded to tell her I was indeed, out of my "element" and that even were I a big drinker, there wasn't enough alcohol in the State of Oklahoma to get me drunk enough to make that sound good to me.  I mean no disrespect to that particular group.  There were those who  obviously enjoy being screamed at.  More power to them and I think that's lovely.  It just wasn't for me.    The last group we stayed and listened to was the ONE group my grandchildren (and most of the crowd) really wanted to see.  If you ever get a chance to hear them....well you should.  They are a group of local boys.  And I mean BOYS....of ages 13-14.  They were chosen in a NATIONAL competition to tour with none other than Ted Nugent.  These boys are just phenominally gifted and talented musicians with a stage presence and sound WAY, WAY beyond what anyone of their tender years should have.  I was absolutely totally mesmerized by their talent.  They played HARD ROCK like I grew up on.  I just KNOW these boys are going to hit the big time.  The band's name is "Crooked X".  I will be able to say someday that I saw them when......when they were mere BABIES!!!

 

Outside of that, the rest of my weekend was spent with hubby in either Lowe*s or H*me Depot choosing flooring for our master bedroom.  We finally came up with laminate that looks like wood (since it isn't a high traffic area obviously).  I think we also (meaning ME) came up with a final plan for the island in the new kitchen.  Debate was...I wanted my cooktop, oven and a prep sink out there.  Hubby kept saying that venting would be difficult to do.  He shows me a plan with a sink on the island.  Just a sink.  That didn't thrill me.  So he gets me hooked up on a website that just shows kitchen designs.  And a light bulb went on.  We will put the sink AND the dishwasher in the island, freeing up some counter space we wanted.  He's happy.  I'm happier.  I woud love to have the cooking elements there....but understand the headache it would be.  Sheeesh...I'm just about ready to say...JUST BUILD IT ALREADY!!!  I know....it will be wonderful when we get it done.  And hubby has worked so hard on the design....bless his heart.

 

Well, folks.  I think that does it for me for now.  I feel a little blog walk comin' on.  I hope everyone had a blessed holiday!

 

BBB

So what are everyone's plans???  I guess hubby and I are going to our daughter and SIL's on Thursday.  I made out like a bandit on this one.....only having to make my famous fruit salad.  So no big time cooking for me.  Then on Friday, we are going to my oldest sister's house for their Thanksgiving fete.  Sis says she has all the food covered there as well, so no  cooking there either.   My BIL is picking up my Daddy Thursday morning bright and early and driving him over so he will have more time with my sis and particularly my nephew who is driving in from Alabama.  On Thursday afternoon my daughter and her hubby and kids are wanting to come by.  She has been staying in pretty close touch with me since Momma passed away.  She says I have always been there for her, in her words,  I have been there for her more than her father.  So, she wants to be there for me too.  She's such a beautiful young woman in every respect.  I am so blessed that she loves me so much even though I did not birth her. 

 

I have such mixed emotions of course.  I am missing my Momma in the worst way.  This time of year was her favorite and she did EVERYTHING in a big, big way.  You needed side-boards on your plates because there was always so much food.  Anyone and everyone was always welcome at my Momma's table.  She especially stressed family and being together as a family.   So, it will be particularly hard for her not to be physically present this year.  I know she will be present in  spirit and in my heart and mind.  But it just isn't and will not be the same and I know that.  It just makes me unbearably sad to even contemplate.

 

Don't get me wrong.  I know that I have so very much to be thankful for.  I still have wonderful family, great friends, and more blessings than I can count.  And I am thankful.  But I am just sad.  I miss Momma terribly.  But, as she would wish, I will spend time with my family and give thanks for all my blessings.  I  will do that.  But it won't be the same. 

 

So, I will just say to you, my friends, have a happy Thanksgiving!  I hope that you are able to spend time with those you love the most.  I wish for each of you a very blessed time.  God bless each one of you!

 

BBB

I had all these nicely laid plans....you know....weekend kinda plans.  Hubs took me to a nice italian dinner last night where I ate more than I should have and had a nice glass of White Zin.  I talked on the phone with a good friend I haven't seen in a while and we made plans.  Affair of the Heart is on this weekend.  Several hundred booths of crafts is my idea of H.E.A.V.E.N.  Entry fees benefit the Heart Association.  It's fun and for a good cause.   Fast forward to this morning at 5:30 a.m. where I wake up sick as a DOG!!  I am so MAD!!!  Whatever I ate did NOT agree with me.  I haven't been away from the bathroom much so far.  I had to call my friend and cancel until maybe later today.  I hated having to call her because I was really looking forward to visiting with her.  Hubby is at work today.  If he wants to take off for the holiday, he has to get some stuff done today.  So I sit here by myself feeling crummy so far, and I had such lovely plans.  And I am P. O.'d.  I WILL feel better, and I WILL get to go see those lucious crafts....it it kills me!!!  Even my ever faithful weimie has deserted me.  As we speak, she is "on point" for the bunch of little hooligan squirrels playing in the back yard.  Little traitor.  Once I fed her a bite of my dry toast....which was yucky....she wanted out and has been out ever since.  It is funny, however, to see her try to make herself small and as invisible as possible.  I never knew such a BIG dog could crouch so low and just inch along little by little.  It really is hilarious to watch her sometimes....because the squirrels KNOW she is there.  They chatter and flick their little tails her direction.  She almost drools with anticipation.  Most usually, they get away from her and the game continues another day.  However, from time to time one of them miscalculates.  I hate it when they miscalculate.  That means I have a very dead squirrel I have to entice away from her little hunting dog bad self.  That is NOT my idea of fun.

 

I guess I am gonna take my crappy feeling self around to do a little BLOG walking since I am not yet up to walking the craft show.   Visiting my blog friends almost never fails to cheer me up!!

 

Take care and have a great weekend, friends!!

 

BBB

Just a quick entry here.  If you all will recall my blog of yesterday, I admitted to holding out on the hubby with my Little D*ebbie Snack Cakes.  When I walked in the door at my home not 30 minutes after posting the entry, hubby looked at me and says "Busted!!!"   Unlike many bloggers, I have never kept my blog a secret from my hubby.  I will never write anything I do not want him to read.  However, he seems to read kind of sporadically, at least I think he does.  Not sure on that one.  Anywho....he just happened to be at home early and was plunking around on his laptop and decided to take a read of my blog.  I. AM. SO. BUSTED!!   He says that he was really hankering for something sweet on Sunday evening.....something he never told me.  I advised him that by THAT time, all of the cakes were gone ANYWAY, so it wouldn't have done any good to be wanting them.  Yeah.  The cakes were already eaten by that time.  He then says that he thinks he needs to tell my personal trainer that she needs to work me really hard (I have a session today).  I told him I would probably save him the effort and just tell her my OWN SELF!! 

 

So there ya go!!  I am one BUSTED woman.  Either I am gonna have to keep my pie hole shut on here or I am gonna have to share my secret treats with hubby.  Choices.......choices!!

 

Have a good day, friends!

 

BBB

 

(That would be "BustedBubblesBest" to you)

Well, folks, I did end up making that homemade chicken soup for my poor sick hubby.  I felt so bad for him.  He slept almost ALL weekend.  When he wasn't sleeping, he was playing with his new Treo* phone he bought from E*bay.  I got the gifts purchased for my nephew and his bride at BB & Beyond.  I had printed a coupon off the internet.  Now, first thing when I walked in, I stopped at the customer service desk and ASKED them, is this coupon okay.  Will you honor it?  I was told...sure we will.  So I proceeded to buy accordingly, knowing my budget and that I had a 20% coupon.  I get up to pay out and the lady says..."We can't honor this...it is expired!"  I told her I had showed it when I first walked in and I had told them that and they said they WOULD.  So she called her "manager" person who said that "just this once" we will honor it, all the while talking to me like I was a little child.  I wanted to tell her what she could DO with her stupid coupon.....but I wanted the 20% off even more.  So, I kept my pie hole shut for once. 

 

After leaving BB &B, I went to our local **lMart and quickly got the ingredients for my fresh soup, and proceeded on home.  Something else I got while there was a box of Little D*bbie snack cakes.  When I am depressed.....I eat.  When I am depressed....I want SWEETS.  I was a good girl and made some wonderful homemade chicken soup.  Hubby absolutely LOVED it!!  But I was also a BAD girl.  I hid those cakes and during the weekend I ate EVERY.  SWINGING.  ONE.  All by myself.  I never even told hubby I had them or offered him one.  Isn't that just horrible?  I ask ya.  I feel like a little lyin' (by omission), hoarding (since I hid them) piglet (cause I ate them ALL).  I also just had a hard time even getting my cake eatin' butt outta bed this weekend.  I didn't want to do SQUAT!!  I know I am dealing with stuff.  You know I am dealing with stuff.  But I just hate when I get this way.  I DID make myself to a little laundry and house cleaning and I wrote some of the bazillion thank you notes I owe to people who have been so kind to me and my family.  But I didn't do near enough.  Now, I am stressed at just thinking about being thought rude and ungrateful because I don't have the notes done.  I guess I should not be too hard on myself.  I AM taking the time to actually write each and every person a heartfelt note.  I got a thank you from my cousin, and all she had to do on her thank you's was write in my aunt's name.  So, I guess, I am allowed a little more time here.  I am going to try to get the majority of them done tonight.  Wish me luck.  I am all out of Little D*bbies so I shouldn't be in a sugar coma like I was all weekend.  Perhaps I can make progress.

 

Well, folks, I gotta be hoppin' on outta here.  You all take care now and I will be by to visit soon.

 

BBB

Hi friends!!  Well, I made it through the week.  Yay!!  I took a day of vacation yesterday and spent the day helping my Daddy with some of the endless affairs that must be set in order now.  We made good progress.  I took him out for lunch for Chinese food and it was really nice.  He absolutely loves what he calls "Chinee" food.  He really chowed down since it was an all you can eat place.  His only complaint was that they didn't have enough dishes with shrimp in them.  I guess I come by my love of all things "shrimp" honestly!!!  It was just a nice time spent with Daddy.  He has worked so hard over these 14 plus years of Momma's illness.  I hope that now he can take some time for himself and enjoy life a little.  I know Momma would want that.

 

Today, I am going to to some much needed shopping.  My nephew is getting married on Dec. 29th.  I have to get a shower gift for his bride to be and him.  The shower is next weekend, but I want to get the gift buying taken care of today.  Kind of interesting...my niece introduced my nephew to "C" via the internet while he was still stationed in Japan while serving in the Navy.  I guess that love really "bloomed" when my nephew came stateside in July and met her in person.  The rest, as they say, is history.  After their marriage, she will be joining him in Alabama which is his present post.  They will only be there about six months or so and then will move to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area which is his next posting.  He is career Navy, so I hope C likes moving around.  I only got to meet C on the day of Mom's funeral.  What a horrible time to have to meet family for the first time.  She seems very nice.  I probably won't get to know her well as they will not be around much at any time in the near future.  I just hope they will be happy.  Anywho....I guess you CAN find love via the internet.  My niece, of course, is just feeling pretty good about this because a) she instigated the whole thing; and b) she and C are best friends.  Sooooo, I will be going to get a gift for them and will hopefully get to spend at least a little time with C getting to know her next weekend.

 

Hubs is getting a ding durn cold!!  Here he has been so worried about me getting sick because of all that has gone on in the past few months.  Poor guy!!  He feels crappy!!  I feel bad for him.  He has been such a sweet heart these last few months and has really been my rock during all this stuff with Momma.  I just hope he feels better soon.  Perhaps I should fix him some homemade chicken soup.  What do ya think??  I make excellent chicken soup.   Hmmmm.....me thinks this is a good idea!!  Perhaps I should pamper the man a little.

 

Well, folks, I think I am going to go do a little blog walking and see how you, my friends, are doing.

 

You all have a wonderful weekend!

 

BBB

Well.....what is normal for me now?  I went ahead and went back to work on Monday.  I am glad I did.  My desk had many matters waiting for me that I had left there last week.  Everyone has been so nice.  I walked in and my next door office neighbors were waiting with hugs, a sweet card and a plant.  It was really sweet of them to encourage me.  Of course, I have received that at every turn.  I think that, for the most part, people are kind and caring.  So, I got started on the work at hand.  At one point, I was taking a break for my cuppa joe and I read part of the paper.  Turns out it was a good thing I did.  I read that my Aunt by marriage (she was married to my Dad's younger brother until his passing) had passed away on Sunday.  I made a call to Dad and confirmed that it was indeed my aunt.  My parents and most of my Dad's family has stayed in touch with her over the years.  My Dad called my uncle who had just spent a couple of days here already.  He decided to come to Aunt I's funeral yesterday.  So, I quickly called in an order of flowers from the family.  After work, I picked up Dad and we went to the family visitation.  My cousin, P, was there.  She hadn't even heard about my Mom....I hated to tell her but did so.  I felt bad that I hadn't thought to call her.  Anywho, after visiting with P for a little while, I brought Dad to the house and we ate some of the leftover great food that people brought when Momma passed.  Then I took him home.  He and my Uncle G and Aunt B attended Aunt I's service yesterday.  I talked with Daddy today and bless his heart, he said he's waiting for the "next shoe to drop"....his words.  You know, the thing about deaths coming in threes.  I hope he is wrong.  I hope there isn't another shoe to drop.  I think I have had enough for now.

 

Today was a pretty good day.  I am about to get caught up.  I got most of my billing for October done.  I will finish that in the morning.  It was my boss's admin in our Tulsa office's birthday today.  I had her a little card and gift.  Now, last year at this very time, Momma was ill and I totally missed her birthday.  I didn't realize it till much later.  I was bound and determined that it wasn't going to happen THIS year.  So, I talked to the boss man and her other boss and we all met up for lunch today.  It was really nice.  P is always so good to help me in any way so I was pleased that she got a little birthday celebration!!

 

Tonight, I am watching the CMA's.  One of my fave shows each year.  I will be taking breaks from this post as needed to watch the performances.  Friday, I am taking off and will do some of the many thank you notes, will meet with my Dad and a life insurance rep, then I have promised to take Daddy to eat chinese food.  That is his very favorite!!  He was quite pleased when I suggested that. 

 

Wait.....gotta break for my man George Strait*.   Oh I love that man!!  Dang....he's still HOT!!!

 

Well, folks, I guess I am gonna go ahead and scoot on outta here.  I gotta pay my buds a visit!!

 

Thanks again for sticking with me and encouraging me these last few weeks.  You are just the absolute best and I feel so very blessed!

 

Till next time....

 

BBB

Well.  I made it through yesterday better than I anticipated.  The service for Momma was beautiful and attended my so many friends and loved ones.  Two of my cousins from the Des Moines area came all that way.  It meant so much and they are two of my favorite cousins and I really enjoyed visiting with them.  My Mom's baby sister's boys and their wives also came in from Missouri.  They are the two who gave me the nickname which I use for this blog!!  We had a laugh over that yet again.

 

I was so proud of my three nieces.  They each wrote and delivered a tribute to my Momma and what she meant to our family and their fond memories.  These three beautiful, strong women stood in front of the assembly holding on to each other for support and just told wonderful, poignant memories from their hearts.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.  There were sweet moments, sad moments and humorous moments in the service.  My Momma loved to laugh and had such a wonderrful laugh.  I'd like to think she was watching and very pleased with the celebration we held for her precious life.

 

Daddy did really well.  I was worried about him.  But he had lots of support and hugs.  Momma and Daddy's very best friends since the 1940's were there.  Their daughter had to pay private nurses to bring them in wheel chairs, but they were there.  They looked so very frail and my heart just aches because I feel we won't have either of them for much longer either.  I know it meant the world to my Daddy that they were there and he got to see them.  Their son, who is the closest thing I have for a brother, was one of Momma's pall bearers. 

 

I was so tired that by about 8 last night I crawled into bed.  I thanked God for getting me through the day, told my Momma I miss her so much already, and fell fast asleep.  I didn't even hear hubby come to bed.  I have a lot to do in the next couple of weeks to help Daddy.  I have untold numbers of thank you notes to write to everyone who has shown us such kindness.  I may take a few days of vacation time just to get my "sea legs" back so to speak.

 

Well, enough here.  Thanks again for your support.  I am gonna go visit my blog buds and see what's going on in your lives.  I am sure I will get a few smiles out of that!! 

 

Take care my friends!

 

BBB

The wonderful weimie woke me at 5:00 a.m. today.  I am so tired.  Just tired to the bone.  It has been the longest three days of my life.  Last night we had family visitation at the funeral home.  This was so that people who couldn't come to the funeral or who wanted to have more time to visit with my family could come by.  So many of our friends and loved ones came by to spend time with us and it was heartwarming to see the love shown to my family.  The room smelled of the absolutely gorgeous roses and really every kind of flower you can imagine.  So many people have sent floral rememberances to us...it is just overwhelming. 

 

That is a good word.  I am just overwhelmed by all of the events of the last few days.  If I am feeling this way, I can only imagine what my sweet Daddy must be feeling.  He didn't make it but about an hour last night.  Then he asked my uncle, his only living brother, to take him home.  Bless his heart.  I am surprised he lasted that long and has done as well as he has.

 

Later this morning is the funeral.  I am both dreading it because it is our final time with Momma, and anticipating seeing so many people we love who loved my Momma so dearly.  We have tried to make this a celbration of her life.  A full, happy and contented life.  That is what she had and we shoold all be so blessed to have that kind of life.  I know for sure that the prayers and well wishes of my many friends here in the blog world and in my everyday life are what is getting me through.  I just cannot thank you enough for your kind thoughts, words and prayers.  You are just the best!!!

 

I will be back here when I can manage a few more quiet moments.  Until then, thanks again my friends.  Hugs and love to you each and every one.

 

BBB

I am sad to say that my beloved Momma passed away to heaven at 2:00 a.m. yesterday morning.  She is the new angel in heaven.  I am just so profoundly sad that I cannot even tell you.  At the same tme, my sense of relief is greater than I imagined it would be because she is no longer tired, no longer hurting, no longer fighting the horrible disease that took her from us.  I know that she is in a better place.  I know that she is with my Grandma, Grandpa and her siblings who went on before, including her beloved siser and my namesake uncle who died inWorld War II.  I can just bet that she has had one marvelous reunion with her loved ones. 

 

I have cried buckets.  It amazes me that the Bible says that God knows the exact number of my tears.  He must have been really busy these last few hours of my life.  I got a call about 11:20 p.m. Tuesday night that Momma was really bad and I needed to get everyone there.  To say that I was a little shocked, even though I knew this has been coming a long time, would be an understatement.  I saw Momma for the last time earlier in the day at just about lunch time.  I just felt like I needed to go by and check on her even though that is a time when I usually didn't go by.  I found her fresh from a bath, spanking clean and in fresh clean clothes.  Her hair was still a little damp from being washed.  I asked if I could brush it for her.  I will  never forget how soft, softer than the finest silk my Momma's hair felt.  Ob man.  God is counting my tears again.  Anyway, I wheeled her out to the dining room so they could feed her lunch.  I kissed her sweet face and told her I loved her.  She smiled that amazing smile and said, "I love you too!!"  That is the memory I want to take with me always.

 

May I say that the hospice nurse, J, made my Momma's passing as easy as it possibly could be.  Talk about angels on this earth.  J is definitely one of them.  She has been caring for Momma for some time now.  She took my Daddy, my sister and me every step of the way as Momma left to be with God.  I cannot tell you how comforting that was.  I am so glad that there are people in this world with the love and compassion to help people like me and my family deal with such an emotional and heartrending time.  I will never be able to thank J enough.  Because my Momma's passing was so very peaceful. 

 

I have spent these last hours in kind of a daze.  Meeting with the funeral director, meeting with the preacher, meeting with the cemetery people.  I have made more phone calls and taken more phone calls than I can count.  I ran all day yesterday with NO sleep and was just absolutely exhausted and depleted by bedtime.   I can honestly say this has been the hardest thing I have faced in my life.  But I have been amazed how many people's lives Momma has touched, and all want to step in and help.  It is most humbling.  I spent hours last night going through pictures and relliving glorious moments spent with Momma.  And there were more of those moments than I can count.

 

My Momma was an amazing, beautiful, wonderful, loving, compassionate, strong, fiery, courageous woman.  She taught me and my sisters the importance of  family and friends.  She has left a truly marvelous legacy of love in her children and grandchildren.  Please pray for me and my family.  We have her memorial celebration on Saturday morning and then we lay her to rest.  Although, I take comfort in knowing that she is already at rest from these last fourteen years that she has courageously fought her disease.  She rests in the arms of the God she lived her life and took every breath for.  And I am so grateful that she is at rest.  I am ever so grateful that she was MY Momma.

 

Thanks friends.  I hope there aren't too many mistakes as this was written through my tears.  They just come at unexpected moments.  But I am doing okay.  I will be back when I can to visit my friends.  Until then.....go tell the ones you love JUST how much you love them.  Do it for me.  Do it for  you.  Do it because each moment is precious.....as I know so much better now.

 

My love to you all....

 

BBB