Taking a Little Break

My friend V arrived from Seattle yesterday for a visit. He will be here until Monday afternoon. We had such fun last night - talked, laughed, drank wine, ate great food (cooked by moi) and stayed up way past our bedtimes.

Today it is warm and foggy in St. Paul - do you think V brought some Seattle weather this way? This morning we went shopping - V bought boots suitable for the snow. We just had a late lunch and now we are going to hang out and relax for the rest of the day.

I will be dropping in periodically over the next few days but I will also be busy being social and enjoying my company.

Change

Last Saturday morning I drove down this street to my personal trainer's house/studio and all the trees were green. On Tuesday, I drove the same route to her studio and presto! The trees are beautiful. Change we really can believe in..............mother nature's amazing cycle of growth, death, renewal and growth.

I am on my way to San Antonio tomorrow. I am going on family business again. Please do keep my youngest son JAE in your thoughts and prayers - I cannot "talk about it" yet - just keep us close in your thoughts.

My best friend and JAE's Aunt J is meeting me in San Antonio and so I will have a lovely weekend with my oldest friend. We will talk until we have no breath left in our bodies. I return to Minnesota on Tuesday. I will try to post at least once while I am in the lovely City of San Antonio. More to come................

Perfect Friendship Award

I have been honored by Tor with the "Perfect Friendship Award" - what a lovely tribute,- thank you, Tor. The feeling is mutual - friendship freely given - such a gift.

I want to give this award to several of my blog sisters who have been mentors and examples for me as I have blogged my heart and healing.

This award is for Rain, Joy, Naomi and Fran - Thank you for your friendship, support and lots of blog comments - you have had a deep and lasting influence on my journey to this newly forged life. It is with deepest gratitude and respect that I celebrate you amazing women today. Love to each of you across these many miles.

Making Memories

We had such a wonderful time the last few days. The first photo is (of course) that joker, Tor my dear blog brother "eating" green beans at the St. Paul Farmer's Market.

The second photo are my best friends = J and S; next Tor and S at the Mississippi River nearby my home. Then a colorful photo - the bounty of the harvest at the market on Sunday and finally - a laughing group of my dear friends at Saturday's BBQ party on my deck.



We are connected at the heart - Tor is an amazing man and I am blessed to have had the opportunity to spend time with him in such a profound and happy way. Tor departed early this morning and motored 6 hours to Chicago where I talked with him just prior to his boarding the flight back to Norway. As we said this morning, Tor, we will see one another again. Safe travels dear brother.

My other friends departed midday for their home in Florida. Here I am home tonight - with Miss Kitty - it is very quiet after the nearly nonstop (except for sleep) laughter and camaraderie over the past three days.

It felt as though we were together much longer than three days. I am here in my solitude - savoring the days just past, days of making precious new memories.

I have lots more pictures taken by me and taken by Tor. There is surely more to come............Blessed Be.

A Busy Spring Weekend

YES - that's right - spring is springing here in Minnesota. I worked in the yard most of the day today - cleaning out flower beds, bagging old leaves and mulch, sweeping, raking and PLANTING PANSIES!! Pots and pots of pansies. So far there little peeps of chives and other early green things poking from the soil - no tulips or daffodils yet - but green and sunny and warm. Finally.

My best friend J is arriving on Tuesday night - oh happy day. We are going to have a wonderful time. Next Wednesday is the two year anniversary of my quitting smoking - TWO YEARS, can you believe it!! We have big plans - manicures, pedicures, walks, lunches, and a fabulous girls' brunch and spa day at my house next Saturday - eight or nine of us getting together to eat, laugh, drink mimosas, and just catch up. Deb will arrive in the afternoon and set up the massage table downstairs - people can take their turn throughout the afternoon as they choose.

I will be off work Wednesday through Monday when J departs for her home in Jacksonville. Oh fun - oh how I need this time to be with the sister of heart. Many interesting and fun things ahead.

An email I received today

Suzann—
I just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you this week and hoping it is a time of peaceful remembrance for you. I can still see Tom in my mind’s eye. I simply don’t remember him from photos—I can actually picture what he looks like standing in a room. I consider this remarkable because I have trouble remembering many more people who were closer to me; I can’t recall their faces without referencing a picture from the past. Tom was a man with lots of impact—a quiet strength that continues to live on these years later. I know he’ll be with you on this anniversary, cheering you to keep moving forward. He continues to live on in your heart and mine. Please let me know if you need anything—you are in my thoughts! HHB


The angels on this earth - I am blessed.

PS This is post 301 - how amazing.