One Day At A Time

It seems hard to believe that my Dad has been gone for three weeks.  I miss him more than words can describe.  I am taking one day at a time with some being more difficult than others.  At times it seems as though it were all a dream --- that it didn't really happen at all.  That when I go to my parents home, I will find my Dad just where he always was--- sitting in his favorite chair reading or watching TV.    

After my Dad's funeral, Alex suggested that we go away somewhere for a night.  Just to unwind and relax a bit.  It has been some time since we went away together just the two of us so we began searching the web to find the perfect place---not too far away but somewhere fun and different.  We decided that Berlin Ohio would be perfect. About 2 1/2 hours from home a small town filled with Amish charm.  We stayed at a wonderful inn called "The Inn at Honey Run".  It was set right in the middle of a beautiful forest.  My Dad would have loved this inn.

The property of the inn was just beautiful.  Little ponds and wood chip covered trails for guests to admire and explore.  And our room was just as lovely.

My favorite part of our room was the floor to ceiling windows in the corner.  We you reclined in those comfortable chairs it felt like you were right out in the forest.  All types of birds flew by and there was even a little bird building a nest in the tree right outside of the window.

Here is the view from our window...

(close up of the creek at the base of the hill)

(close up of the farm across the way)

When we were not relaxing in our room there was a wonderful great room for us to use.

 The little town of Berlin was as cute as could be----filled with wonderful little shops. So we did a little shopping......

My favorite shop was called Millers Dry Goods.  Just look at these photos and you will see why...

 After shopping we did a little eating....

and then a little sight seeing....





We really had a wonderful time.  It was just what I needed. 

So I will continue to take things day by day knowing that time will ease my sadness but never erase the memories of my Dad. 

Daddy

Sometimes life brings things your way that you don't understand and are not  quite ready for.  During the past two weeks, life brought me just that very thing.  Today I said Good Bye to my Daddy for the last time.  For sometime now my Dad has been struggling with COPD.  He gave us a scare last Summer but somehow bounced back with renewed strength.  My Dad was a very strong man and most of the time it was easy to forget just how sick he really was.  But on April 14 he told my Mom that he was just not feeling right and maybe they should make the trip to the hospital.  During the week's stay the doctors were not very encouraging with their reports but my Dad remained strong and we were able to take him home on Good Friday-- just in time for Easter. We had a wonderful visit with him enjoying his favorite do wop music, laughing and reminiscing. 

He was such a proud Pap Pap and he loved his boys so very much! We were also blessed to have him with us to celebrate my son Alex's 20th birthday.

That evening we watched one of his favorite movies, "Return of the Pink Panther".  He had watched it so many times over the years that he was reciting the lines before they were even spoken.  We laughed at all the funny lines together as a family.  I am so thankful that this night will be the last memory Alex will have of his Pap Pap.  Three days later on April 29 my Dad's lungs became to tired to carry on and he went home to be with his Savior.  So today we said Good Bye........

Today we cherish the years together and the memories we hold in our hearts....

There is something special about a little girl and her Daddy.  Even though I am not a little girl anymore that something special remains.  I will miss the way he called me "Meems" I will miss his stories, his laughter, and his smile.  I will miss his hugs and kisses.  I will miss watching him fill with pride as he spent time with my son. I will miss how he enjoyed just hanging out with my husband.  I will miss his "I love yous"

Even though I must say Good Bye for now I know it is not forever.  Because my Dad, on April 17, accepted Christ as his personal savior I know that we will  see eachother once again in heaven.  But until that day I will hold tight to the memories I have and to the assurance that my Daddy loved me very much.  

A New Beginning

It has been almost two years since my husband had gastric bypass surgery.  Over the past two years he has worked so very hard to make this surgery a success.  He truly has made a total life style change.  To date he has lost 225.  He wakes every morning at 5:00am to go for a jog at the gym and just recently he has been taking our beagle for a run at the local park.  One of his goals after surgery was to be able to participate in a 5K race.  I am so proud to say that this weekend was his first.   We woke early to find that the weather was not going to cooperate  It was a cold and rainy morning but it could not dampen our excitement.

We arrived early at the race site.  Alex checked in and received his number.

Number 125----As we were pinning it to his jacket, he said "What do you think 125 means"  I thought a minute and quickly added the numbers in my head... 8    He said the number 8 means New Beginnings---how perfect for his first race. 

The race site could not have been more perfect either.  Alex chose this race because he liked the name.  It is a beautiful site with lots of Pittsburgh history.  If you would like to read more about it just click the links below.

Dead Mans Hollow 

Pittsburghs Tribune Review article

The race was to start at 9:00am.  All the participants gathered at the start line to receive some last minute instructions.

And then they were off.........

I headed off to the finish line to await my runner.   It only took Alex 33 minutes 12 seconds to complete the race which placed him in 4th place in his age catagory. An overall finish of 56 out of 125 participants.  Words can't express the pride I have in him.   

It was a perfect Saturday morning.  A wonderful way to celebrate Alex's NEW BEGINNING

An update on our friend Joyce

I know that so many of you have been thinking of and praying for our friend Joyce.(Scrap for Joy)   I wanted to give you all an update as soon as I could.  Joyce was taken for surgery on Monday at about 3pm and David called me around 9:30pm.  He said the surgery went really well.  The surgeons report was good and he said it could not have gone any better.  David expected her to be back in her room around 11:00pm.  I have not been in contact with her yet as I am giving her time to rest and recover---I told her to call me when she was up for a visit.  I should hopefully be talking with her soon and will have more to share with you all.  Thank you all so much for keeping Joyce in your prayers.  I know she is really thankful for you all and appreciates  your  love, thoughts and prayers.  I will be sure to give further updates as soon as I learn more.

Have a wonderful day.

xoxo

Mimi

Birds, Bitty Bugs and Beatrice

I know this is a silly title for a blog post but it sums up my total post for today. 

BIRDS

For several weeks now I have been watching a little Morning Dove sit on a nest right outside of my patio door.  She would sit there through wind, rain, hail and snow.  I could not imagine that she had already laid eggs---it has been so cold here.  But to my surprise this morning, I looked at the nest and look what I saw.  Not only had she laid eggs, but they already hatched and had grown into the sweetest baby birds.  I love nature and all the little miracles that it shares with us.

BITTY BUGS

What is a bitty bug you may be asking??? Well  it is another fun doll I created using a bit of whimsy pattern. I loved making this doll so much that I made a little boy bitty bug....... 

and a little girl bitty bug.........

Don't they make the perfect pair :)

BEATRICE

Lastly I would like to introduce you all to Beatrice.  I know I know another doll----I just can't help myself.

Since my last doll had blond hair and blue eyes, I thought it would be fun to create a little brown hair--brown eye princess.  When I saw this fabric in the quilt shop I just had to have a little piece.  It reminds me of the house dresses my Grandma used to wear. 

With her polka dot shoes and vintage buttons she just makes me smile.

Thanks for stopping in for a visit with me today.  I love sharing my creations with you.  Wishing everyone a Happy Week :)