Happy Birthday to my beautiful mom...

She would have been 71 today.
We would have spent the day having lunch and going to a movie or shopping, and then she would have taken us all out to dinner at a wonderful restaurant with a patio (It was her tradition to take everyone out on her birthday, we couldn't argue with this one). 
Instead, my family and I hiked up to Cecret Lake and spent the afternoon having a picnic and toasting her life.
She gave us such a gift in each other and in such a beautiful place to celebrate her!
Happy Birthday mom!

So Happy....

My first real college paper!!
The assignment was to interview someone from a different culture than yourself and write a 5 page paper about your interview, their life, and your responses to what you learn and how you relate etc...
I got it back last Thursday and have probably had a permagrin on my face ever since.
The paper was worth 15 points~ I got 15+1!!! The teacher wrote "Very solid paper, Thank you.
May I have a copy?"
I was so excited!!!
College is such a great experience so far! I am almost done with my first semester!
I am looking forward to taking two classes in the Fall!

Chalkboard project~

My friend Andy made this sign for my home about 11 years ago. They took it down last year when they did my kitchen remodel so I decided to refinish it and turn it in to a chalkboard...
Before...

The process and supplies...

The finished product...

...lately...

I have felt a little more fragile than usual~ I feel like I have been a little more in thought, a little more sad, a little more protective and standoff~ish and on the verge of tears sometimes too.  I figured out what it has been~ This time of year always sneaks up on me~ It is such a hard and emotional time of year. Today is the day, 3 years ago, that we found out the diagnosis of my moms brain cancer that took her from us just 6 weeks and 6 days later.
It hits so hard sometimes~ I miss her more than I can really properly express. 
Life continues on, and you put a smile on your face and move in the only direction you know how~ But it does not mean that I don't think of her always, that I don't still miss her as much as the very first day, and it does not mean that I don't feel an extremely huge void in my life without her, because I do....Always...
Someone asked me the other day if I had 3 wishes what would they be.  The first thing that came to mind is that I wish my mom was back.  Alive, healthy, vibrant and as amazing as always. 
Since that cannot happen, I will simply continue to love her, miss her and think of her always...