I just had a flash back to when my dad was first told he wasn't going to make it. I went to my parent's house because Mom wanted to paint the ceiling in the living room. I don't know why. Maybe because Dad's bed got moved into there and she wanted him to be able to stair up at something pretty? Or maybe she just felt the need to make everything ( Read more... )

It hits me in such quiet moments. Just now I'm sitting here planning Christmas - shopping online for the people I need to get gifts for - and I start thinking about Christmas day. My brain immediately sees Darren, Mom, Dad and me playing cards together and laughing. We would usually play Spades - a favorite of my parents that they taught Darren ( Read more... )

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x posted on holiday_wishesHi all and happy holidays! I'm not sure where to begin. This has been a strange and wonderful and horrible year for me, as is life. First off, a little background on me. My name is Melissa. I'm a 36 (as of yesterday) year old gal from Iowa. I live in a modest home with someone that I love very much and our pets. I own my own ( Read more... )

I've done the blog thing and done it well. It's fine and good and for my career it's definitely something that I'll always need. That said, I miss this place - this livejournal. There was something to be said for the genuine friendships that I formed here. I don't think livejournal will ever be what it once was. In its prime, it was such a ( Read more... )

Dad's funeral is Tuesday afternoon.

I'm sitting here beside my dad. In the background, Southern Gospel music is playing - his request - however it's being drowned out by the irregular rhythm of my father's snoring. I just gave him a breathing treatment - a nebulizer. Hospice says he's getting congestion in his lungs and they're concerned ( Read more... )

Darren just got a job offer that'll pay 30k more a year that he currently makes. Downside: 2 less weeks of vacation this year and 1 less next year. (He currently gets 5. Will start at 3 this year and 4 next year.) It's in his field that he has his degree in (sustainable/renewable energy). We won't have to leave our area and it seems very nice ( Read more... )

Good luck to anyone doing NanoWrimo this year! Oh gosh, I remember when that consumed my life. Feels like yesterday. I miss it at times!