Last of the photos from the scavenger hunt

I have previously posted my photos for the scavenger hunt at Postcards, but still had three more to post before the sadness hit my household. Here are the last three (keep in mind these were taken on my phone, so the quality isn't as good):
a park bench-there are two, on both sides of the big, old pine


a big truck (I posted two: I took a picture of the UPS truck but it was rather far away, and a bit blurry. Then I saw the second truck on my street.)




and a bridge


Hope you've enjoyed my photos! :)

Missed many more...

But we are finally home from a very long week. We found out about my husband's grandmother on Valentine's Day, went on the following Wednesday to Indiana to be at her visitations and funeral. We headed back from there Thursday evening, got home late. We did laundering of funeral clothes on Friday, packing, etc. Then Saturday headed to Michigan for my uncle's funeral. I was lucky enough to be able to take part in the service by writing and speaking a "thank you from the family" which was very meaningful. My own "goodbye", so to speak. It was hard to do without crying through the entire thing, as I am a cry-er, but it went well. It's always interesting to see family you haven't seen in a long time. I experienced that at both.

Then, on our way home yesterday, we encountered very bad weather-not like the quakes in NZ, I hope everyone is well there!-but bad for driving! We got about an hour from my family's home and were right behind an accident. My dad said they'd talked about it on the news-12 vehicles; 3 semis and 9 cars. We sat there for an hour. As we sat, more snow, ice, and sleet came down. There were never "good" roads, the entire way. The trip that takes us 3 hours normally took us 7-7 1/2 yesterday. We got home around 8:30pm.

Here the schools had a 2 hour delay, but not enough to close schools. I had the day off due to a teacher day, but I have the washer and dryer chugging away. I got to drop both our daughters off at school, then run to the grocery... we had only one roll of toilet paper for three bathrooms! So, I picked that and some laundry detergent-hopefully I can make a dent today! When I got home from the grocery my mom called to check in and chat for a few minutes. Now I'm updating my blog and then back to work.

I'm looking forward to getting back to my students tomorrow! It's been too long! :)

It's also been too long since I wrote in my journal, wrote in my gratitude list and blogged, among other things. I did keep up with reading daily, whether magazines, books or newspapers. I also ran 5 miles on Saturday morning before we left! What a great stress reliever, even with the wind! :) Of course, I haven't ran since... but that's life. Thank you for your hugs and sympathy, dear readers. Hope this week turns out more positive!

Missed One February 18, 2011

I was doing so well posting everyday. Until I missed yesterday.
We headed out of state for my husband's grandmother's funeral. I had computer access, but didn't post. Then, on the way home, my family called and said my uncle had passed away yesterday. We'll be heading there sometime soon for his funeral. Two in one week. So much for "positively mom" posting, hm? Life, though, isn't it? Thank you for the hugs and well wishes, my faraway friends.

Thinking of the positives:many good memories of Grandma Betty, we traveled safely, we got to see family we haven't seen in many years (although under sad circumstances...) We had good weather to travel in-some Februarys have held snow... I kept up with my photos (although the journaling, reading, exercising, and watching what I ate have slipped...)

Hopefully next week is back to normal?
Thanks for your support and warmth, Dear Readers.

February 16, 2011

Thank you for your sympathies, friends, and for reading my posts, even when they are not full of "positives". :) Your words and thoughts are appreciated.

I'm really thankful for friends and neighbors who stepped in to help when my husband's grandmother died, like letting our dogs out/feeding them.

Something silly I'm thankful for-a clean shaven face. :) My husband has been growing a beard for a while. He recently shaved it off. Sometimes we forget how much we appreciate things. :)

I appreciate you for stopping by for a visit, Dear Reader. I knew I needed to post-I'm no a roll of 16 days! Even though I don't have a tremendous amount to say. :) This last week I haven't written in my journal much, gotten much laundry done or read as much as I'd hoped, but I will get back to it.

I hope you are well. Take care!

February 15, 2011 tonight

Tonight I think of my husband's grandmother who passed away on February 14.
She was such a nice lady. She had been battling age, illness and loneliness for a while, now.
She had turned 90 last September. We had a nice party for her and she was so surprised. :)
She was at that point health-wise where you want better things, but it still so sad.
Her husband has been gone for 12 years. Our oldest daughter said that Grandma must be having a nice Valentine's Day, being reunited with Grandpa...
Our girls haven't really experienced this type of sadness of someone they knew so well, and loved so dearly.
Now we head over for the funeral and visitation services.

Hope you're having a better week.