And Now On to September 2026

 

Our sweet Pat passed last week.  She was my journaling teacher and I always called her my fairy godmother.  She taught the artist's way classes at Unity and she is beloved still.  I know she's having a ball in heaven.  Send us messages, Pat.  We love you.

We went to the Helping Parents Heal conference in Arizona last month.  Mark got to see his friends in the Helping Fathers Heal groups. It was a beautiful trip.

Judson's picture in the slideshow.

Maureen Hancock was one of the speakers.  I don't know why I never noticed it before, she looks so much like Tami.  I felt like I had spent the evening with my sweet friend again.

Wild Horse Pass

Catching Up

 A friend recently shared that she has a blog; and I suddenly remembered, "oh, I have a blog too!" Lol

Our Skye girl crossed the rainbow bridge in March. She was such a diva. We love her, but she was so often a stinker.  Definitely not one of our easiest goldens, but she got G Dog through his last years, she got us through Judson's leaving, and moving into the new house.  She almost killed Murphy as a puppy, but once he got bigger and faster than her, he got her back <3

I opened a new psychotherapy office in January, thinking it would be up and running within a couple, maybe three months.  That too is a lol situation :P But it's okay, the universe is showing me a better dream. 

Artemis II went further into the universe than ever before.  Their mission was a beautiful inspiration. We are so small down here.

Mark's birthday with our beautiful Bets.

My mama with her newest great grand Henrik :)

7 Years

 Today seven years ago was Judson's last day on this side of the planet.  We miss him every day. 

Catching Up on Summer of 2025

 

Summer 2025 has come and gone.  Lori shared this early picture of Emma and Doyle above. And then this sweet picture of Emma with Kathy and Lori and Mark:

Isaac went back to France again June 2025.

There was a N* K*ngs rally on Flag Day, I loved all the signs, 

this one by one of my social worker friends. Today, Oct 18th, there's another day of protest planned.  I've not joined in person, but I am there in spirit.  I think I'll work on a sign too.

June 2025

 

Another trip to see my mama and my sis PJ at Powers Pond.  Mama will be 90 next week!

Ray & Lisa's asparagus with PJ's amazing keto alfredo sauce.  

I don't think I've ever eaten so much asparagus in one sitting!

We did some reading, as usual :)

Kentucky Lake 2025

Another trip to beautiful Kentucky Lake, to our old Kentucky home away from home.  It was a different trip.  First one without a boat, so Mark fished off the dock, where he caught several big fish.  So good days fishing.  We had no internet for some reason which also meant no TV.  That's definitely a first for us! lol  And Friday night, huge storms rolled through.  No damage to the house, thank goodness, but no power either.  

Every trip now is full of memories.  

5/2016

 10/2017

Holding On

Planting daffodils in the fall is one way to make yourself smile in the spring, despite the state of the world.  Thank you as always to Mark for digging the holes.  

We are in such a mess right now.

 

The day is coming.  In the meantime, we love each other the best we can and hold on.

That Was January 2025

I have seriously neglected this little space on the internet!  It was a rough winter, but we have survived.  Our Betsy turned 17 in January.  She's so beautiful, and such a sweet soul! I love her past heaven and back <3

An attempt at a picture with Murphy.  He's the howling-est golden we've ever had.  

He makes us laugh every day.

It's been nine years keto now.  I'm not at my smallest, but this collage helps me remember where I've been.

Catching Up

 My last post was from the Helping Parents Heal conference that was held in August.  So much has happened since then. So few pictures. I've always tried to focus on the good here on this little spot on the vast net. I am trying to find something good to appreciate every day. Lord, lead the way.

Charlie and Perri got married.  I didn't get to go, I had cataract surgery instead.  I am thankful for getting rid of the cataracts.  I still need a little follow up lazer procedure to get a better benefit, but I have to wait 90 days.  C'mon January!

Such a sweet wedding!  

Our country elected a new president.  I feel like I'm a stranger in a strange land.  

I have the honor of being able to work for a hospice company. I love making visits to patients and their families. I love Nicole, my fellow social worker who is an angel in my life. Most of the time I love the trips down Route 4 to Carlinville, seeing the farm fields, the tractors, the traffic, the big blue sky, the hawk sightings.  Stopping at the little coffee shop for a latte, listening to podcasts about the angels and the afterlife, and oh yes, also about ways to try to understand the politics we're living under.

One of my favorite quotes.  I know there is more to our lives than we can see; that we are spiritual beings going about in this world trying to find our way, being watched over by our ancestors and our guardian angels.  I just keep forgetting and wind up down the rabbit holes again and again.  And then I remember again. . . 

Our Oceanna, growing up, turning 5 years old.  

For the past couple of months, I've been praying for Isaac every moment.  Trying not to judge myself  the lousiest mom on the whole planet. Trying to find some compassion for myself.  Trying to exercise, at least a little bit every week.  I know it helps me feel better in the moment.  I know it will help me age better.  Thank goodness for Misty, my trainer and for Carrie, the pilates instructor.   For Mark, who walks the dogs faithfully every day and who inspires me to walk with him every so often. 

I'm thankful for Keto every day. This is a newer recipe, we call it keto lunchroom pizza. 

 

Helping Parents Heal 2024

We joined 1100 other parents at the Helping Parents Heal conference in Phoenix.  The resort is on Wild Horse Pass, an Indian reservation, such a beautiful place.  

 

We got to meet Fara Gibson, psychic medium extraordinaire. She's a sweetheart. 

Phoenix in August, so of course it was 104 during the day.  But with the low humidity, we sat outside in the shade every day.  We never did see the bobcats, but someone posted this sighting.  We had just been sitting in these chairs earlier that same day!

Suzanne Giesemann, her Messages of Hope podcasts have helped me get through many sleepless nights. I am so thankful to all the speakers, to Irene and Elizabeth, everyone involved. They are helping so many people.

Eric Clapton sent a message to the conference, sharing his story of losing his little boy Connor and lending his recording of Tears From Heaven to accompany the slideshow of everybody's kids. A glimpse of Judson's picture here. 

I don't know what shrub this is, but the flowers were beautiful. I'm so glad we  were able to go.  

How Can It Be August Already?!?

 

Kyle graduated from 8th grade!  He's taller than all of us now.

My favorite picture from the night.  The class was getting their picture taken up front, and we're all standing around, Rachel's taking pictures. 

Kyle smiling! <3

Mark turned 64 years young

My mama turned 89 years young 

Another summer at the beach for Isaac, Jen, and Oceanna

She's growing up so fast

Isaac went to France!  Wow, a lot happening these days!

Laura has a new grandbaby Calum, he looks so much like his daddy Chuck.

Life has been good to us this summer of 2024