Goodbye, Aunt Bonnie.

Me, Aunt Bonnie and my brother, Eric.
Greely Hill, California.

It is with great sadness that I write this post, but I feel that it must be done in honor of the woman who took so much time to document the events of my family and our ancestors.

My Aunt Bonnie, my dad's sister, passed away on September 30th, at the age of 79. Her passing came as quite a shock. Despite living with Diabetes and having an issue or two here and there, she was in very good health. In fact, she was one of the most spry 79-year-olds I've ever known. She could literally dance circles around many who were half her age.

It was that enthusiasm and zest for life that I will always remember about my Aunt Bonnie. She found joy in everything and had an incredible knack for making things fun. Trips to her house were filled with adventure and my brother and I never lacked for something to do. On more than one occassion, she'd pack us some snacks and we'd play for hours on this giant log outside her house. We'd pretend that it was our fort, a rocket ship or some other creative thing that only a child's imagination can dream up. Other times we'd ride bikes, go on nature walks, have frog races, fly airplanes or try on the gazillion clothes she made for us.

My Aunt Bonnie was extremely talented -- both artistically and creatively. Each year she'd come up with the most amazing gifts -- usually something she'd made from a family heirloom. From stuffed rabbits to Pringle can Santa's -- my Aunt Bonnie had a way of making the holidays extra special. Today, as I decorate for each holiday, I find a treasure from her to display.

In addition to painting, my Aunt Bonnie could knit like nobody's business. Some of my fondest memories are of watching her work with the needles -- creating something wonderful from a simple ball of yarn. During one visit, she made outfits for my favorite teddy bear and my brother's favorite monkey. She whipped them up like they were nothing and we were in awe! Thinking of her attending her "Happy Hookers" meetings (a knitting pun she came up with) still brings a smile to my face.

My brother and I show off the clothes Aunt Bonnie
made for our favorite stuffed animals.

Visiting my Aunt Bonnie's cabin home in Greely Hill was always special. She lived there for many years with my Grandma Dorothy and my Uncle Clay, who both required full-time care due to failing health. In addition to being a care giver for my grandmother and uncle, my Aunt Bonnie was constantly doing service for the rest of her family, her community and her friends. I will always remember her as a woman of faith, who made it a point to pray daily for those in need.

Although we lived on opposite coasts, my Aunt Bonnie never felt far away. She regularly sent letters, called to say hello and made a point of being involved in my family's life. She was great at documenting our family history and made sure that each of us received treasured heirlooms from the family members who went before us.

My Aunt Bonnie was truly a remarkable woman and loved by everyone who knew her. While she will be missed dearly by those she left behind, I firmly believe that she continues to do her good works in Heaven.

I love you, Aunt Bonnie. Thank you for everything. You will always hold a special place in my heart.

She's coming!

Who is "she," you ask?

Wait for it...

"SHE," is my MOTHER-IN-LAW!

The good news is I love her, so it's a good thing that she's coming to visit.

The bad news is that my house isn't ready and I'm going to be up late trying to make sure it gets somewhat presentable.

It's been three months since we moved in and I still feel like I'm unpacking. Seriously, I have no idea when or if it will ever end.

Anyway...just wish me luck and stay tuned for an update about our visit with Grandma Beverly. The last time she came to visit us the girls were just eight-months old. We've seen her since, of course, but not on our turf. Boy how time flies!

I'm not getting any younger...

The fact that I'm not getting any younger bugs me, but what can I do about it? It's simply a fact of life and something we each have to deal with in our own way.

My way of dealing with it this year is to go to the beach for my birthday and pretend that I'll never hit 40. Unfortunately, I only have one year left until I actually do hit 40, and then I'm afraid it's all down hill from there.

Just kidding -- I know we only get better with age, so I'll manage.

Anyway, back to the beach trip...

I begged The Man to take me and he finally agreed. It's only a three-day trip, but it's still enough time away from reality to give me the refreshing break I need. Stay tuned for pictures -- not of me in a bathing suit, but of the girls having a blast in the sand and ocean. :)

And speaking of pictures, I thought you'd enjoy this one of my Aunt Janie and me at Virginia Beach way back when. She's the hot one, who, by the way, only gets hotter with age. She gives me hope that I'll do the same.

Remembering Patty (1960-2009)

My cousin Patty lost her battle with cancer on Saturday. She was 48.

Most of my memories of her are from events that took place before I was 11, when we lived closer to each other.

The fondest memory I have of her is the weekend she spent with my family in Hawthrone, Nevada. She was 21, and to my 11-year-old eyes, she was blonde, beautiful and totally cool.

Patty played dolls with me (I had just gotten Golden Dream Barbie) and taught me how to crack and eat sunflower seeds. She was a great teacher because I continue to eat sunflower seeds to this day. In fact, The Man used to call me Sunflower Girl because I'd eat them every other day.

To many, those may seem like small things considering all of the other wonderful and more significant things Patty did throughout her life. But to me, they are cherished memories and meant the world to a girl with mostly boy cousins (0 girls on Mom's side / 3 on Dad's side -- Debbie, Patty and Susan, who are all 10+ years older than me).

My dad sent me the picture in this post and it immediately took me back to the days we lived closer to his side of the family. As you can see from my face, it looks like I was enjoying my "girl time" with Patty.

Patty will be missed by so many in my family. Although I can't be there to hug them in person, I want each to know that I am there in spirit. My thoughts, prayers and best wishes are with each during this difficult time.

"Perhaps they are not the stars, but rather openings in Heaven
where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down
upon us to let us know they are happy." ~Author Unknown