Hey there!

Well I have plenty to blog about...just don't feel much like blogging. Blah, blah, blah! Does that work?

The Turkey Day is Over...

Yesterday was a fun day with my family!! We gathered at the Aktug's club house...after hauling ourselves and our food...over the river and through the woods!!


It was a flurry of activity in that big old industrial kitchen...
Everyone set out to work and there was plenty of room for us all to scurry around.

My family is the coolest! Even the guys get in on the cooking...no football slugs in our family. Love that!!!


We shoved the food into the oven...put down tablecloths and center pieces of flowers on all the tables. Oh, and we popped open a few bottles of wine and beer...to add to the fun and help motivate us to keep moving!!!


In short order we had the place turned into a festive Thanksgiving setting.




Finally with everything in the oven...we even had time to sit around and enjoy some appetizers while we waited for our dinner to be ready.



And eventually with a second round of frenzied activity...
the Turkey with all its trimmings was ready!


We all gathered round for a moment as Pop blessed our meal by giving thanks. As always he asked the good Lord to watch over those who could not with us...

It's a Triple Play!!!

What a great day for a birthday!!! Three dear ladies are celebrating today, Carla, Melissa and our Danny's dear Ara!! How can that be...three special birthdays??? Yes, it's a special day indeed!!!

Last night a group of us met at Finn's in Crofton to celebrate with Carla. Normally I try not to go out during the week...especially having to drive so far away...but well, it was "The Queen's" birthday, so of course I couldn't miss it!! And...it was so much fun. A bunch of my old high school buds were there. There's nothing more fun than that!

Happy Birthday my three special girls!! Carla, Melissa and Ara!! I hope it's a birthday you will always remember!! Love...hugs and kisses to you all!!!!!

I'm Already Bored...

And it's only 9AM! I'm catching up on my TV watching...seeing what's going on in the World. Now I know what the girls have been talking about on FACEBOOK. It's Twighlight...the movie! And although it sounds a little strange to be in love with a vampire...after seeing the guy...well...I can understand why they are nuts about him! Oh to be young again!!

I'm sitting here in my PJs and Jazz is biting my toes. Thankfully my handy-dandy water bottle is within reach! So I do a quick and ready aim and a squirt of water to convince him to stop biting me!! Ouch! There he goes again! That little rascal!

Oh, yeah...can you tell I'm bored to tears? Oh my, it's gonna be a very, very l-o-n-n-n-n-g-g-g day in my little apartment!!! Just me, my Jazzy Boy and a handful of channels on the TV set. Good grief!!

My Goodness...My Cold!!!!

Well I'm up at this early hour, but I'm sure not moving very fast. And I won't be going to my metal apprenticeship this morning. I spoke with my Mom last night and my Jessica...and they both talked some sense into my head. I'm still hacking...and I'm sounding like a truck driver once again. Generally, I'm just feeling very poorly. I suppose I haven't been taking very good care of myself.

Under the circumstances,the schedule I had lined up for today just didn't make a lot of sense. Standing out in the wind and cold this morning would not be very good for my condition. Br-r-r-g-g-g-h-h-h-h!!!

And, I won't be going to Teri's shower today either. Jessica's logic prevailed! She reminded me that, my goodness...Teri is just weeks away from having a baby!!! I don't need to be taking this germ anywhere near her, especially since it's been hanging on to me now for three weeks. Imagine this creepy germ latching onto Teri!! Not good. As it is, I'm afraid I've already passed it on to Kyle. That's not good either...

So, here I am in my PJ's and I'm gonna stay this way for a while. I'm going to wait a few hours to call Hugh and tell him I won't be finishing my horse today. Funny, but this was one tough decision...that's how much I look forward to my metal apprenticeship...now I'll have to wait another week for my creative fix! Bummer!!!Big bummer!!!

Now the party...what about the party I was invited to attend tonight? Hm-m-m-m-m-m, party, music, people? It's a celebration for an old high school friend who just got back from Iraq. Well I'm gonna think on that one a while. Perhaps by some miracle...the much needed rest I receive today will allow me to spring back to life by evening. We will see... That will be an even tougher one to cancel out on!!!

What a Day...

I spent the day catching up after being away since Monday at an offsite. I finally headed for home a little after five and when I walked outside it was pitch dark. I dread this time of year because I leave for work in the dark and typically I head home in the dark too!

As I started across the street to the metro...I caught sight of the Capitol. It was all lit up and well...what an awesome sight against the dark night sky. I have promised myself to never take these Washington buildings and monuments for granted ever again. So...I took a few extra minutes to walk across the street and snap a picture. I just happened to have my camera with me!!

On my way home I stopped at Pentagon City to do a little shopping. I have a baby shower this weekend for Kenny's niece Teri...so I needed to pick up a gift. She is pregnant with her second child and knows it is a girl. Teri was the flower girl in Kenny and my wedding so she holds a special place in my heart. And her Uncle Kenny simply adored her. Oh my, where did our little girl go? And how did life fly by so quickly?

I'm so excited for our dear Teri. All she ever wanted since she was just a little girl is to grow up and have children of her own. And for a while there, we were all afraid that dream would just not come true for her.

Well just look at her now. Finally...after waiting so long...she is blessed with the family she has always wanted. A boy AND a girl! How special!!! Her baby girl is going to be named Mary Grace. What an appropriate name. Mary...is Teri's first name and I love the name Grace...especially with all that it signifies. This little girl is destined to be a little princess. Here is Teri with her little guy, Bryce. Now tell me, could there be a more beautiful Mom and Son?

A Natural High...

Is knowing that

somebody misses you!!

Gooooood Moooooorning!!

It sure is good to be back in my little apartment. Jazzy Boy missed me so much...he just kept meowing and meowing and meowing. Last night he slept in the crook of my arm with his paws on my chest. Every now and then throughout the night he would pat my face with one of his paws. Oh My Gosh!! My cat LOOOOOVVVVVEEEESSSS me! Even though it kept waking me up...it was very sweet. What a cutie!!!

Now as usual, I'm dashing out the door. I'll button my coat up tight against the chill! Br-r-r-r-r-r-g-g-g-h-h-h-h!! Have a good one!!!

Well Hello!!

I'm back from my work conference in Towson. It was sure great to see so many work colleagues and it was a great week. We accomplished a lot...and well...I sure am going to be busy the next several weeks as we put arms and legs on the actions we developed. Interesting work...interesting indeed!!!

Another Work Meeting

I'm here in Towson and am getting ready to go downstairs to another work meeting. I arrived last night. A couple of us rode with a friend and with the crazy weather it took us two hours for a trip that would normally take only one. It was raining the entire time...and actually for the last 10 miles or so it was snowing...a real wintery mix!! My, my...we checked in, threw our luggage in the room and went for a glass of wine and a bite to eat!!! What a long day yesterday!!

This morning should be fun. There are managers here from all over the organization...it's kind of like a big old reunion of sorts. And that's good because I'm in a bit of a funk this morning. Sometimes I just feel like the weight of the World is on my shoulders... Hopefully it will be a peaceful day.

My dears...Pat and Priscilla!!!

Today Priscilla and I rode over to Kent Island and met Pat for brunch. We ate at a little local restaurant by the Kent Narrows bridge...had your typical breakfast and laughed about starting our diets TOMORROW! Actually, that's not entirely accurate...Pat ate reasonably...but Priscilla and I both "fell off the wagon!!" Yes...Priscilla and I will start eating reasonably tomorrow. Right Prisci?

After breakfast we went to the outlets and shopped 'till we dropped. Come to think of it, I was the only one who bought anything. Hm-m-m, how can that be? Well...I got some cute stuff to wear to work this week. I got a couple new jackets...and a cute, rockin' dress!!

It was such a nice day today. There's nothing quite like old friends who love you unconditionally! Pat and Priscilla...we have all been through so much together and have history to share of raising our kids, working hard...and enduring all of life's trials. We have loved each other through thick and thin. Sometimes we go months without talking or seeing each other...but no matter. We are buds!!

A New Perspective

It hit me today that the introduction to my blog page needed an update. I decided it no longer painted an accurate picture of who I am. So I've revised it. I've even given it a slightly new look and feel to reflect the new me.

A lot has changed in the fifteen months or so since Kenny died. But today I can say...I finally have many more happy days than sad ones. And that's really saying a lot, since this past year had been filled with overwhelming, gut-wrenching, sadness and grief.

Thankfully...I have gotten through the fog...and I'm beginning to feel like my old self again. Now that's not to say that I don't miss Kenny. I do still miss him...tremendously...in ways that are hard to describe. But...I'm getting by. I've settled in to my new life and it's mostly comfortable and I'm mostly content and happy from day to day.

I've learned so much about being a widow. And although I'm so much happier, there still remains that lingering loneliness...while I'm surrounded by a multitude of people. I still dread coming home to my empty apartment. It's not out of fear at all...it's simply out of loneliness. And I still miss the companionship of my lifelong partner. In fact, something happened today...that instantly had me longing for Kenny. I wanted to dash home from work and talk it over with him. And of course I couldn't. It's moments like this that haunt me in my new life as a widow.

The long time friendship and companionship that Kenny and I had...the knowledge of each other's families...the history we shared...well it's all gone. To start that same conversation today with anyone else, would mean updating them on so much background and so much history to set the context for the discussion. Oh yes, that's how it is living without Kenny.

But, I'm definitely pressing forward. And who knows how the rest of this year will go. I'm guessing each day will continue to get better even as I still have much to sort out with my new life. Do I buy a new house? Or a condo? Or do I continue to rent? Which car should I sell...or should I get rid of them both? There are still so many things to work out...and now it's all solely up to me to decide. But at least my days are lighter, they are finally brighter and I'm learning to be happy once again.

Kenny Was There!

Just take a look at this family photo. Jessica says, "Mom, see that space between Randy and Danny...that's where Dad was standing!"

You know...Jessica, I'll bet you are right!!! And, just look how lucky I am. Check out my three handsome sons!!! All I can say is WOW!!! God is good!!!

What a Weekend!!

In spite of getting a chest cold and barking like a truck driver...I was still pretty busy. I did relax on Saturday; spent the entire day in the apartment and was bored to death. Sunday I tried out a new church. Turns out it's the one with that minister you've probably heard on the radio..."Not a serman, just a message!" It was a neat church. And, although I was looking for a large congregation..this one may just be a little TOO big. It was like a small city inside!!! People running this way and that...hurrying around with not a soul to stop and talk...

After church I went to see Kyle, Jess and Chloe and then had dinner at Martine's. And since I had taken Monday off, I spent the night there rather than drive home late. Her little grandson was visiting...and we sure had a blast with him. Little Tristan is 14 months old...and CUTE!! And...the best part? I think he likes me!!! Ha!! Martine and Jeff's son Trevor is home from Iraq. So it was sure good seeing him too and Tristan's Mom and Dad...Taylor and Ashley. Keep looking...I'll post some photos of Martine and Tristan, but I don't have them downloaded yet.

I left Martine's late morning and drove to PA to visit Mom and Dad. Just felt like seeing them. It had been a while. We spent a nice day together. Went to Eagles for lunch, then later for dinner we had Kentucky Fried Chicken. Dad had suggested all kinds of restaurants, but that just hit the spot! So we ate at home and simply relaxed.

Finally I drove home and got back about 8 PM. Jazzy B was sure glad to see me. My poor cat, I could be a better friend to him. Next time...I should TAKE HIM ALONG!!!

Yesterday I had a make up metal class and spent the day working on my horse. The weather was crisp and a bit chilly, but Hugh started up the wood stove, so we could duck into the shop every now and then to get warm. I really made progress on my horse. He is still not finished...but is getting there. I'll be sure glad to bring him home. Maybe Saturday...

A Non Eventful but Pleasant Evening

Martine and I both "hit the wall" tonight. We were both just too pooped to keep on going. Earlier this evening, she and I had hopped onto the metro, road it to Metro Center and from there walked about two blocks to Old Ebbitt's. It was a nice stroll through the bustling streets of Washington. And Old Ebbitts is such a beautiful restaurant; it's filled with large old paintings, lots of stained woodwork...and it has plenty of historical old world charm.

We grabbed a couple of stools in the main pub area...ordered a couple of beers and some hummus with pita bread and veggies. The food hit the spot and so did the beers. But pretty soon...we faded. I had gotten up this morning with a scratchy, sore throat, so as the evening went on...I kept getting more and more horse. In fact, I sound like a truck driver who has smoked WAY too many smokes.

Martine and I high-tailed it back to the metro and arrived back at my apartment by 8PM. She had planned to stay here tonight, but instead headed home. After all, Trevor is on his way up from N.Carolina, so now she will be there to greet him when he arrives. That's probably a good thing, because I'm about ready to turn in. I'll be getting up very early in the morning to get to my metal apprenticeship...and I'll be better off giving this nasty cold a bit of a rest.

Martine is On Her Way!!!

Oh boy, oh boy, Martine is on her way over! Not exactly sure where we will end up...either in Old Town or at the Old Ebbitt Grill near the White House. But either is sure to be fun with Martine along. She is a people magnet!!! We always manage to strike up some interesting conversations together. Neither of us are too shy...and together we are simply crazy!!! Yep, just like two high school kids again...

The weather today was fabulous....in the 70's. That's called Indian Summer here in Washington and it's always a nice refreshing break from the chill of the autumn weather. Knowing we were gonna have a nice day today, I decided to take some annual leave. I had been really tired this week...probably from the time change. So I felt like I just needed some time to myself.

I didn't do a whole lot of much...just ran errands. I also hopped on the metro this morning and retrieved my laptop from the office. Heaven knows I couldn't survive the weekend without my computer. As I made my way through the underground mall, I stopped for a manicure and pedicure and picked up my dry cleaning. It sure is convenient having everything right here at my fingertips. Then I headed home and just hung out here at the apartment most of the day.

I had planned to run to the hardware store to pick up a new grinder for my metal apprenticeship tomorrow, but never made it back out again. Instead I will leave a little early in the morning and run by Lowes on the way to Hugh's house. Hopefully they will have the grinder in stock that I want. It's 5 amps, 120 V...that should be plenty of power for grinding steel!!! Hugh's old grinder has been very temporamental lately and we never know for sure if it's gonna work or not.


Frequently we have to improvise by using a hand held grinder, which is not nearly as convenient as the bench model. It's also a bit more dangerous. So...I figure it's time to spring for a new one!! I'll also pick up a wire brush attachment too so that we can have the grinding wheel on one side and the wire brush on the other.

I'm nearly, NEARLY finished with my crazy horse sculpture. If you double click this picture you will be able to see it a bit larger. Just look at those sparks fly!! I'm grinding down the edges of the horse's head. Just trying to make it a bit more even where the horseshoes are joined together. Perhaps tomorrow my horse will finally be finished. Hopefully anyway! It sure has taken longer than I expected!!

Last week, near the end of my class, Barbara came out of the house and brought me a single red rose. Turns out it was the anniversary of Eva's passing and friends of theirs always send them a bunch of red roses in her memory. What a sweet gesture, I was very touched. And especially since I am sure the anniversary is very hard for them both. I sure feel blessed to have made this connection with Hugh and Barbara. It is simply so much more than just learning metal work. Life is sure interesting that way.

Help!! Save Me From My Social Life...

Goodness I'm tired...and there is so much left to do! With all the people I know traveling in and out of here from all over the country there is always something to do and someone to do it with!!! I'm EXHAUSTED!!! I need to be saved from my social life!! LOL!!! At least I'm not too often bored...well only when I sit still!!!

Getting Ready to Brave the Cold

Soon I'll be working outside...hammering steel and welding my horse sculpture! It's going slowly, because it's a new design and I keep having to think it through. Got to make sure I weld the right part in the right sequence to be able to fabricate it the way I want. Otherwise if you make a mistake in welding metal, it's very hard to tear it back apart. So, I'll sure be glad when this is done. I'm really anxious to start working on a SERIOUS sculpture. That will be next!! Soon!

After my apprenticeship this morning, I'm going to have to run by a thrift store. I need some old sweatshirts and stuff to work outside in. And I don't want to buy new stuff because it will just get holes in it from all the sparks of metal flying all around. I had to really scrape to the bottom of my closet here this morning to find something warm to wear as it's getting colder outside. I don't have a sweatshirt here and I need one. My pajama sweatshirt will have to do! LOL! But it will probably get ruined. The crazy thing is that I have a ton of them back home, but...can't get to them right now. And so goes my frustration of living in limbo. It keeps reminding me that I need to get settled!!!

Gosh, I'm looking forward to metal work today. Last weekend Hugh canceled because he was getting company...and the Saturday before we took that hour off for the jam session with his friend Bear and son Daniel. So...this should be a full three and a half hours of heating, hammering, chopping, grinding and welding steel!!! I'm hoping my sculpture will really start to take shape this morning.

At first, it will be hard getting started because the temperature is rather brisk and we work outside. But once I get into my work...I start to warm up and I become so entranced with what I'm doing that I simply forget the cold. At least I'm hoping that's how it goes this morning. Not sure how it will be when it gets into November!!! Br-r-r-gh-gh-gh!

Oh...and this time I WILL remember to take my camera!! It should be real pretty out there on the West River by now, with all the leaves turning and winter setting in! I imagine we will start seeing the Canada Geese pretty soon. Oh...I love the sound of those "honkers" circling in for a landing. Just thinking of that sound reminds me of our home back on the lake, and sittin' on our screened porch on a Saturday morning drinking coffee. Oh, those were the days!!

Candy, candy, candy

Oh No! Can't sleep again, and now I'm eating CANDY!! That's not good...not good at all! But it sure is fun. If I keep having this much fun, by next month, I should be as big as a house!!! Oh my!!!!