The joke's on me

Live and learn, I suppose. Went to surprise the bf and offer to take him out to lunch for helping me with some house repairs today ... and he had another woman there. teehee - go figure. So much for that.

My idea of a vacation...

boobs

Living on the River

I feel fortunate to live in a city on a river. I cross the Dan River every day going to work - and nearly every day I'm struck by its beauty. Sometimes calm and sluggish - sometimes fast and overflowing its banks ... Sometimes muddy brown or orange, sometimes blue or green ... It is as individual in its moods as any woman, as strong as any man. I often take it for granted. Today we took a long walk on the "Riverwalk" - crossed a footbridge over the river, walked the path beside the river - peaceful, powerful, beautiful. Not taken for granted today. There were geese and ducks. Maybe in my next life, I'll be a duck. Flying south for the winter -- paddling around on the water. If I'm not a bear, I'll be a duck.

We even got to see a train & wave at the conductor.

By the time we crossed the bridge back to the car, Maggie & I were both dragging. Ready for a nap!

An Historic Day!

When I think about this election, I can't help but think of my dear therapist, Glen. During the gloom following Anna's leaving, I couldn't see anything worth living for. What positive thing did the future hold? This was the January - February - March 2006. Gray. Sad. Horrible, tear-filled days and nights. Why continue to live? I came to the conclusion that I couldn't add "Mother" to Jessica's list of people she'd lost to suicide ("husband and sister" being quite enough for one person's lifetime). So there. I was stuck. I had to keep existing. And I'd sit on Glen's couch and wail and cry and moan and groan. Jessica and Elisha didn't NEED me for anything in particular - no one did. I was faced with days and days of working, off time to sleep. That was my life. (Still is for a good portion) And Glen would listen. He helped me through somehow. He let me cuss and scream and cry and feel sorry for myself.

One day he did seem rather pleased with himself. He had an answer for my complaint of what was there to live for. The date, he said, was November 4th, 2008. An impossibly long way away when he told me - over two years away. Did I know what would happen that day? Not his birthday. Not when he'd get to retire or take a fabulous vacation. What could it be?

It would be the day George Bush would no longer be president. "But the new president won't be inaugurated until the following January" I protested. "Yes, but he will know that the country is sick and tired of him, and he will be OUT!"

What can I say? Glen was right. I am glad for the United States of America that change is coming. I am glad that Virginia went Democratic for the first time since LBJ. I am glad for Jessica and Elisha - this country may start to mend now. Thanks Glen. We made it.

Elisha's Fifth Birthday!

Amazingly, it's been five years since Elisha was born. He is growing into a very caring and considerate, funny, tender-hearted, smart fellow - all credit to his Mommy Jessica. It's a joy to be his Grammy. He wanted his birthday dinner at the chinese restaurant - and the one thing he had consistently requested was a wallet. The celebration was just a prelude to his party the next day.. This first pic is his party at his daycare.




After a very rainy birthday, the day of his party turned out sunny and relatively warm. Jessica invited friends and family to Elisha's backyard "campout" party. We all came to roast hotdogs and make s'mores. Mikayla said it was the best birthday party ever! and I have to say that the ooey-gooey hot melty chocolate-marshmallow s'mores were better than birthday cake! Good call, Jes!

There were tents for playing and spooky stories - complete with Joe in a scary mask!

Happy Birthday, Elisha!

Fall in Virginia

I went on a mini-adventure today to a waterfall above the Smith River in Henry County VA. Beautiful...