My sisters gentle touch

I cherish this picture of my Sister and myself. It was taken last week when she came home for a visit. She was so excited to wake up to fresh snow 3 mornings while she was home. This morning, I had to go to work and she was out building a little snowman on the porch of moms house. I wish now that I would have taken the time to build one with her. It was the best week. I took a few vacation days to spend as much time with her as possible. I spent the nights with her and mom. It was like a week long slumber party. I'm so glad I have an understanding husband. My sister and I use to share a canopy bed while growing up. We shared a bed while she was here. We both had to wear ear plugs because of all the snoring that goes on. I told her that she is a prim and proper snorer, while I am a bulldozer snorer. One night I guess I was snoring extra loud and it filtered through her ear plug and she gently touched my arm to have me turn over. Her touch reminded me of the night when our dad had passed away and I was secretly crying on my pillow, but she knew it and gently touched my arm and I immediately felt comforted. We have a sister bond that I am so thankful for. She's my rock. I miss her terribly.

No more balloons

I am turning over a new leaf this year. You see, I've had this sickness that I think every Birthday party requires balloons. I stress over this and my sister thinks I'm nuts. I guess I've always thought that a party isn't a party without some balloons. My favorite party store closed down last year and left me trying to find another place to get balloons for a reasonable price. I was in mourning when they closed. When we were decorating for my dad's 80th Birthday party last year I was insistent on getting balloons. My sister laughed at me. She understands my sickness. I overstress and sweat the small stuff. While my sister has been visiting this week we talked about my balloon sickness. She kept repeating "No More Balloons". As my grand kids are growing up I would be the one to bring the balloons to the party. But, I am turning over a new leaf and hanging up my balloon sickness. No one else cares, so why should I? You spend that money and within hours they shrink or pop. I'm making less stress in my life. No More Balloons!

Happy 11th Birthday Noah Jeffrey Precourt!

Today we celebrate my First born, Grandson, Noah's 11th Birthday. It is so hard to believe that 11 years ago today, I was standing in the hallway of the hospital awaiting the news that our first grandson would be born. Jeff ran out of Steph's room where she had just delivered and yelled to the world that he had a "ball player". The feeling I had was overwhelming Joy.
Noah has a permanent Smile on his face. He's like a ray of sunshine when he walks in a room. I love him to the moon and back.
We will celebrate his Birthday on Saturday night at my mom, his Great Mommal's house. His Great Aunt Diane will be in town and will celebrate with us, as well as his other Grandparents.
Happy Birthday Sweet Noah!

Remembering today

The 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:He leadeth me beside the still waters.He restoreth my soul:He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever. Amen.

1 year ago today at 4:15 p.m. in a cozy room called "The Land Deck Room" at the Arthur B. and Ethel V. Horton Hospice center in Valparaiso, Indiana, my precious Mother, stood over my dad's bedside and quoted this scripture. As soon as she said the last line, my dad drew his last breath and the Angels carried my dad up to Heaven. It was a Peaceful Home going for him. My mother did not miss a word. Her voice was flawless. She gave my dad, her soul mate permission to leave this earth. She knew his body was tired and it was time. She led the way for him and handed him over to the Angels awaiting to usher him into the Heaven that he talked so much about. What a beautiful, precious, peaceful, sad, tearful time this was for everyone standing around his bedside. He waited for all of his loved ones to get there before leaving. He loved everyone, he loved life, but his biggest desire was to make Heaven his home. Welcome home dad.

1 year ago

One year ago today, we were on our way to pick my sister up from the airport. She was coming home for our dad's 80th Birthday Celebration. Dad didn't know it at the time that we were having him a big Birthday party with close friends and family. I wanted it to be a surprise, but a little voice inside said to tell him about his party. So, after Diane got there and we were all sitting around, I told him about his party and that it would be at the Mission Church down the street from his house. He loved that little church and the Pastor and his wife were so gracious to open their doors to us, with no charge to use their hall. Dad was so excited, he started calling people and inviting them to his party. I told him that I had already invited close friends and family. He wanted to help and go to the store with Diane and I, but it was snowing and we told him to stay in and we would handle everything. We didn't want him getting out and taking a chance on falling on the ice. Diane and I headed to the store to pick up the Birthday cake and balloons. I am a balloon person and think it's very important to have balloons at a party. I knew my dad loved balloons. I found one that said "older than dirt" he loved it. I also wanted to find an iron on #80 to put on a shirt I bought him. After we got back home, I snuck in to work on his shirt, which he would open up at his party and put on. Who would have known that he would have that shirt on while riding in the ambulance to the hospital hours later that night.

He watched me bake cookies from his comfy lazy boy. He wanted to be the first one to taste one. I will never forget the smile from ear to ear on his face. He was so excited about his party and watching us prepare for it. He was the first to arrive to his party. He was amazed at the decorations and got him a seat and awaited the guests arrival. I served him a plate of pizza and munchies and he said it was the best pizza. Who would have known it would be his last meal. He told jokes and stories to everyone sitting around him. I heard some that I was hearing for the first time. We lit the candles on the beautiful cake and he blew it out. My grand-daughter, Ivy cried because she didn't get to blow it out. My dad said "light those candles again and let that baby blow it out" and she did. He enjoyed his cake. Being diabetic he watched his sweets, but this night he didn't watch it. He may have known that it didn't matter now that he eat a big piece of cake. He opened up his gifts and we all had lots of laughs. Sherry, a family member, brought her karaoke machine and we sang and had a fun time. Dad was clapping his hands and really enjoying all the singing. I wish now that someone would have video taped the party, but we did get lots of pictures. I had gotten a large cupcake pillow with a candle that all the guests signed and it sang Happy Birthday. He held it tight to his chest after we got home that night. Who would have known that we would be burying that pillow with him days later.

It all still seems like a bad dream. It was like my world stopped. My dad would never walk down the hallway again to greet me in the mornings when I would stop before work for coffee. His chair across from me sits empty.

Tomorrow we will celebrate what would have been his 81st Birthday. I got a cupcake heart cake. The grandkids will blow out candles and we will sing. We will remember my dad & Poppal. He will be smiling down & probably having a big Birthday party in Heaven.

Feb. 3, Friday Random Thoughts

**I want to go back to this hairstyle

**I decided to stop coloring my hair

**I have lots of grey, but it's OK

**I love jelly beans

**I want to hold a newborn baby

**I love to make people happy

**Olive Garden upset me last night

**I love having dinner out with Mike

**I'm thankful for a great Boss

**I am happy when it snows

**I love our new dogs, Lilly & Halle

**I quit going on diets, cause they don't work for me

**I have been on a green olive craving spree lately

**I will see my sister in 2 weeks

**I miss my grand kids

**I love finding coins on the ground (money from heaven)

**My dads 1 year anniversary in heaven is coming up

**Time is going way too fast to keep up

**I love having coffee and breakfast with my mom every morning

**Did I say I love jelly beans? Cause I'm chewing on them now

**I must have the t.v. on to fall asleep in bed

**I need a personal chef

**I want to rock babies in the hospital nursery

**I can't wait til Celebrity Apprentice is on, Feb. 12.

**I like Michelle Duggar

**I want to see Bon Jovi in concert

**I found the best fitting jeans ever at Lane Bryant, I live in them

**I'm proud of my daughter's talent to knit

**I love wearing sweatshirts on weekends

**I don't watch the Superbowl, just halftime and commercials

**I can't wait for some sister time in 2 weeks

**I would love to retire some day to the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee

**I love to go to Lake George and feed the ducks

**I love Sunday morning breakfast with Mike and Mom

**I would like to have more family gatherings with my kids and grand kids

I could go on and on with my thoughts....thanks for tuning in.....