To Jane & Julianna with all my love...

Well after a two year hiatus from blogging a lot has changed in my life. I actually made the jump and have been working full time as a veterinary technician for two years now. I am also happily in a relationship with an amazing guy who seems to fill in all the voids I have while at the same time enhancing all that we have in common. I feel very blessed.

Today did hold some sadness though. Many years ago my beloved grandmother passed away after a battle with Alzheimer's. At the same time I met my, at the time, boyfriend's grandmother. Grams was so much like my own Grandma that I think without meaning to my subconscious just replaced the one with the other. I was unable to attend my Grandmother's funeral and that coupled with Gram's living next door to me for two+ years clinched my mental swap. Unfortunately as I met Grams she began her own slide into late stage Alzheimer's. I would sit with Grams almost every day, for hours at times, and let her tell me story after story of her life. Those were wonderful times. After my relationship ended it became harder for me to spend time with her because in her mind nothing had changed and I was still supposed to be living next door to her with her grandson. He was with someone else and I didn't want to confuse things for Grams more than necessary. So, I stayed away, but my heart never left her side. On Monday Grams passed away and today I attended her funeral. It was harder than I would have ever imagined because I was not only saying goodbye to her but to both amazing women, Grams and my own Grandma. I will always love you both. You both taught me wonderful things about being a strong and loving woman. I want to thank you both for everything, you were truly some of life's greatest blessings.

Mermaid in the Tub

I have created a store on etsy, Mermaid in the Tub!

I am making and selling jewelry inspired by the ocean and all its beauty.

Stop on by and I hope you like what you see.

smooches...

I'm trying to get back into the blogging frame of mind....so here is another iHeartFaces contest entry...I've been torn between two different kissey entries for this special Valentine's day entry theme. Hmm a picture of me with my main man, my little dog, Buckley or one from New Years Eve with my bestie....which to chose??!!!

Well in honor of love I am going with the one with the T, since she has found love and got married to the man of her dreams on Friday! Here she is back in the good ol' days of the two of us being single and crazy ladies. I love you the T and am so happy for you and Ben and love! This smooch is for you...

i hate february...

A friend recommended a wonderful musician named Ingrid Michaelson, her songs have recently shown up on Grey's Anatomy and on any radio station that plays GOOD music. Go check her out, I'm all for people that actually write and play their own music. Anyway...enough about the background....

February has arrived in all it's wretchedness...I really hate February...plus the big 3-0 is lurking around the corner. I've had enough of cold and grayness and winter. There is a lot of joy around me, but despite it making me very happy for the people it is affecting it is also making me a tad on the down side. My best friend just got married to a great guy yesterday...big big congrats to The T and her brand new hubbie! I wish I could have been with her but the just had a civil service yesterday and the real wedding is in Hawaii in October and you can count on me being there!!! I also became an aunt for the second time this morning at 8:05! Welcome to the world Cutie Face #2 (better moniker to follow) and awesome job Monkey's Mamma, I can't wait to see you guys really soon. Yup lots and lots of joy all around but Sledgie is feeling kind of blechy. This song is a beautiful representation of a bit of how I'm feeling right now.

Now I am going to try to snap out of my funk with some girlie rock/folk songs and a little sexy underthings shopping with a good friend....sunshine please show up soon...

LOCKED UP
Written by Ingrid Michaelson

I have taken a wrong turn
When will I learn. When will I learn?
Should I show them all my scars?
Cherry red bleeding burn

Like an angry apple tree
I throw my apples if you get too close to me

But if I look to my right, will I see the one I fight for
If I look to my right
Or if I turn to my left, will I see that I have kept my heart
Locked up, locked up so tight

Love, love, love is everywhere
But not a drop for me to drink
Tie me up and bind my feet
Drop me in and watch me sink

Like an angry apple tree
I throw my apples if you get too close to me

But if I look to my right, will I see the one I fight for
If I look to my right
Or if I turn to my left, will I see that I have kept my heart
Locked up, locked up

If I was 17 I could find it in-between
The cushions of somebody's couch
I could find it. I could find it
If I was 17 I could find it in a dream
A dime a dozen kind of love
I could find it. I could find it
But I'm not 17 and I lost it in-between
The birthday cakes and fast mistakes
That roll by
Ba da ba ba da ba ba, ba da ba ba da ba da dum

But if I look to my right, will I see the one I fight for
If I look to my right
Or if I turn to my left, will I see that I have kept my heart
Locked up, locked up

Balloons=happiness

iHeartFaces has a contest this week that I have actually been excitedly anticipating for weeks since I saw it was on the list of future themes. I took this photo when I was in England visiting my brother, J, and sister-in-law, Monkey's Mamma or A. I loved watching all the school kids in their uniforms (why can't American school uniforms be this good?) as they walked through the city streets. When I saw this one he instantly made me smile. I am glad to finally be able to share it with all of you!

It is showing up sort of small, but I hope that it speaks large enough for itself despite its size!

contemplative and silly cats...or should i say contemplative about silly cats

Another iHeartFaces entry time! This week's theme is "contemplative," with an added bonus of a non-judged pet entry. I still don't have access to many of my photos due to the computer death/switcheroo but here is one that I do have that I feel fits a bit.

And here is my animal post, the every hilarious TugBoat fishing (for me I think) in the tub.

nostalgia

Here goes entry #2 for iHeartFaces! This weeks theme is nostalgia, unfortunately due to the whole computer dying/new computer/moving apartments fiasco of this summer I don't have access to many of my photos but I did think of this one.

Not sure why it's showing up so small, but hopefully it is big enough for viewing.  Nothing says nostalgia like Johnny Cash.