It’s been a bumpy week. Last Saturday was an up-day, where my daughter let me dress her up and take pictures of her. She takes after me in this aspect. We both had fun, and I ended up with some cute reminders of my beautiful girl.
Sunday was okay. I restarted my diet that I plan to stick to for at least six weeks (no bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, or sugar… except for Fridays where I cheat the heck out of it). I spent all day cooking, but the prep has paid off in the convenience of not having to do much every morning.
And then Monday came. It wasn’t the typical Monday blues or woes of returning to work. I received word that a friend had died the day before. Anne was part of my critique group. She had a way of always finding the positive, always encouraging, and always laughing. She was a good writer with an interesting voice and I will miss her stories. But moreso, I will miss her. When an ordeal with critique group hit, she emailed me encouragement and support while I drowned my sorrows in wine. She was happy despite having to go through surgery for her heart. She was an amazing person who I saw every other week. It shocks me that she’s gone. I came home Monday and hugged and kissed my kids and husband.
I got past Monday and started into Tuesday with the arrangements for critique group stewing in the back of my mind. We plan on having a memorial and celebration for Anne tonight (Wednesday). So there I was, on my way to work in the early dark hours. A school bus stopped in the lane next to me and put out its little stop sign. The person ahead of me stopped. I stopped. As I waited, thinking about cancelling the library reservations and if I should take a bottle of wine to Dani’s, I hear the screeching of tires. Headlights flash in my rear-view mirror. I grimace and brace myself.
I’m thankful for many things. I was far enough back from the person ahead of me that I didn’t get pushed into them. The person who hit me didn’t hit the school bus. The person ahead of me stayed as a witness for the police. The person who hit me didn’t get injured. I didn’t get injured. I think my recent exercise helped with recovering from the impact.
Now, I’m waiting for my considerate co-worker to pick me up so we can carpool to work.
who soar to high heights.” – Dr. Seuss
It’s been a bumpy week with ups and downs. On the plus side, my daughter built a robot dog named Nick out of Legos and my son said his first full sentence of “I want ice cream.” My husband put together a drill press and helped me figure out one of my side projects. Life is good.
Anne didn’t want to have a funeral because she didn’t want people to be sad. She was such a happy person herself. And so, to do my best to honor Anne’s memory, I’m going to be happy. I will celebrate her life and the impact she made.
Thank you, Anne. We will miss you.
How has your week been? What are the little ups that you’re thankful for? Are you happy?
P.S. The steampunk photo of my daughter is a gif. If you can’t see the animation, you should be able to if you click on the picture.
Your daughter is just adorable!
I’m sorry for your loss. Being happy to honor someone is touching.
I’m glad you’re okay after that accident. It easily could’ve gone bad as you mentioned.
Wow! What a week! I’m glad you’re okay.
Cute pics! 🙂
Sorry to hear about your friend. That’s a difficult loss. 🙁
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss of a friend. 🙁
I’m glad you weren’t hurt either. Wow, yup, it’s been a tough week for you. Take care.
AND the pic of your daughter are adorable!
I’m really sorry, Loni. I hope that your group has a great celebration of her life this evening. She sounds like she touched many lives.
Very thankful no one was hurt in the accident.
And yes, your daughter is adorable. Dig the steampunk shot.
Now that’s a week! Many sympathies to you and your critique group. Life changes in an instant.
Your daughter is so cute!
I love the photos you took of your daughter. Those are precious.
Sorry about Anne. In a month, it’ll be a year since I lost my baby brother. I still grieve every day. Some days it hits me harder than others.
Glad you weren’t hurt in the accident.
On the plus side, my website is back together. On the not so plus side, my emotions are still on a roller coaster.
Holy crap, hon. What a roller coaster. I am so sorry. xo
And I’m glad you’re okay after your accident. And what amazingly adorable photos of your daughter! Yes, a “bumpy” week, indeed. (((hugs)))
The steampunk photo of your daughter is amazing. So glad you are okay and sorry about your friend. Indeed we all have a lot to be thankful for.
Adorable pictures of your daughter! My sympathies to you for your loss. And I’m glad everyone is okay from the accident. I had a car accident three days before Christmas. Thankfully my son and I were at the parking meter when the woman hit the car so no one was hurt, but I was without the car for two weeks over the holidays. Then this month I’ve been really sick and the cat almost broke his leg. Yikes. Here’s to a better rest of 2016 for all of us!
Seems like we can look at our own lives and think things are bad and then see someone who seems like they’ve gone through worse. Life goes on with bad mixed in with the good. I guess we should count our blessings everyday and be thankful that the bad wasn’t worse.
I hope better days are coming up for you.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
It sounds like you’ve had one heck of a week! I do hope the rest of it goes well. Things have been super busy for me, but overall it’s been pretty good…if only I manage to finish my grant application by Friday 🙂
Wow. Quite the week you’ve had. *hugs*
You definitely need a weekend. And some wine.
So sorry for the loss of your friend. You are doing her memory proud by being happy and grateful for all the good in your life. And so glad no one was hurt in the accident!
Love the pics! 🙂
I love those photos of your daughter—They’re fantastic!
And I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend, but so glad that no one was hurt in that accident.
I’m so very sorry about Ann. It’s awful to lose people we knew and loved, who helped us in our lives. Thank goodness you weren’t hurt in the accident. Your daughter looks fabulous in the steampunk outfit!! I sure hope your week and weekend improve.
I’m so sorry, Loni.
But you’re doing what you should: focusing on all the beauty and happiness in your life. It’s the best way to honor Anne – to live each day fully, and I have a sneaky feeling you were doing that before the bad news came in.
And thank God you’re okay. Keep your spirits up! I’ll be keeping you (and the fam) and Anne’s in my prayers.
Sorry to hear about your friend’s passing. Life throws all sorts of stuff our way and when we least expect it. It was definitely a week of ups and down for me… a year since Matt just up and disappeared. Somehow, we get through.
I’m sorry for your loss. Also sorry you got rear ended. The good thing is, there were cars instead of kids in front of the person not paying attention. Your daughter’s adorable, and I love the quote.
There is so much sad news recently. Your friend Ann must have been a lovely person and would be pleased to know that you were thinking of the happy times. I hope you have a peaceful weekend and treasure those mother, daughter days Loni! They grow up so quickly.
You did have quite a week. I loved the pictures. What fun!
I’m so sorry about your friend’s death. Car accidents are no fun and I’m glad everyone’s okay. Sometimes life gets so overwhelming. There are periods of relative quiet and busyness and then bam, so many things at one time.
I love your daughter’s pics.
I’m so sorry for your loss, but I’m glad that everyone came out of that accident unscathed.
Love the steampunk picture. 🙂
So sorry to hear about your friend passing. She sounded like a wonderful person. I’m glad no one was hurt in the accident. It could have been so much worse. Those are beautiful photos of your daughter. She’s just so cute. And I love that Dr. Seuss book. I hope this week is going much better for you.