Love and Loss

I can't believe it has been three weeks. Time flies whether you are having fun or not. Three weeks ago, my darling husband was faced with the biggest challenge immaginable, and we had to say goodbye to his mother. 

Tracey was one of the most giving people I have ever met. Never did she meet someone without trying to help them or give them something or telling them about something they'd find useful. On her trip to Hawaii, she called and asked a million times what we wanted her to bring back. I, of course, said a rubber duck. Tracey searched high and low on the island for ducks, and when she couldn't find one, she came back and bought me all of these for my birthday. 

Aren't they cute? I don't know where they came from. But that's just the kind of person Travey was. 

I loved hear dearly. It hurts my heart that my children will never know their darling grandma. That my husband has so many accomplishments ahead that his mom will miss. It is so hard to lose someone, especially so suddenly. 

I have been thinking of this post for days, but I didn't know what to say. I'm sorry we didn't get to say goodbye. I'm sorry I never made a Yule log with you. I'm sorry I was short tempered and easily annoyed. I would change so many things I did. But I did love you, and I hope you knew that. 

Second Favorite Holiday

I love Valentine's Day. I have ALWAYS loved Valentine's Day, even when I was totally single and absolutely hopeless. So as January ends, PINK is taking over my apartment. 

 

This newest little duckling lights up and has hearts all over her body. My amazing grandma bought it for me the week my mother-in-law died. Everyone knows that nothing lifts my spirits like a rubber duck. 

The striped blanket was made by my best friend/name twin's extemsly talented mom. It was part of a blanket exchange! I got this beautiful, warm blanket in exchange for sewing Jaymi and her mom's blankets together. There's were made from fleece and fake fur. My office is actually still covered in fake fur. 

The other blanket (on the black couch) is flannel. It was a fabric I found at JoAnn one day with my grandma and I HAD to have. I thought I was pretty pink so the flaming skulls really appealed to me.  My grandma bought it and then she quilted it on the (then) brand new quilting machine with my little sister. 

On the shelf in the back is a cute picture of my husband as a little kid, and a Valentine's Build-A-Bear I made with my mom and sisters a long, long time ago. My mom had just gotten her tax return and took us there and I fell in love with this little bear that "blows kisses" because it's hands attach to its cheeks. 

Hmm. Maybe I love Valentine's Day because of all the memories. Here's to making some new ones this year. 😘