Partings

On the 7th of this month, I received a call from my father to hurry to the hospital: my Gram was fading fast.

With my heart in my throat, I ran to my car and raced to the ICU where the rest of my family was gathered to say goodbye. Almost all of her family was there: all of her children, all but one of her grandchildren, and all of her great-grandchildren.
As the doctors turned off the machines that were supporting her fragile body, she opened her eyes for only a moment. I have to believe she saw all of us there and knew how much she was loved.
To watch a spirit leave this world is to witness something holy.

Gram:
You were there when I came into this world.
In your memory, may I use my hands,
my hands that look so much like yours,
to work peace.
Until we meet again someday.

Crazy Eights

8 things I'm passionate about:
1. Food
2. Movies
3. Music
4. Friends
5. Family
6. The gospel
7. PRESTON!
8. Cooking

8 words/phrases I use often
1. You got it!
2. I love you with much muchness!
3. We'll make it work.
4. Needs more (insert ingredient that would make recipe better here)...
5. Where is/are my keys/phone?!
6. I just love you! and/or You make me laugh!
7. You're my favorite.
8. Preston, there's a buggie in the (insert room here). Come kill it, please!

8 things I want to do before I die
1. Raise a wonderful, close family
2. Parasail
3. Learn to do Family History
4. Get back to a size 10 or 12
5. Get my food storage in order
6. Read as many good books as I can
7. Perfect my Italian
8. Let my family and friends know just how much they mean to me

8 things I've learned in the past
1. The dishes do not do themselves. Ever.
2. A nap solves many of the ills in this life.
3. You can't count on other people to tell you what's right for you.
4. Preston will never think bad things about me, will never criticize me, will always love me, and will always think I'm beautiful. I don't know why he will, but I know that it's true.
5. Being me is all I can do. And that's enough.
6. Always bring a book. You never know when you'll have to wait around.
7. I hate electric stoves. They're evil.
8. I'm strong in a crisis. Do now, cry later.

8 things I currently want/need
1. More clothes
2. Glasses
3. A dachshund puppy
4. To get my hair done
5. To lose some weight
6. More hours in the day... strike that... more hours in the night, so I can do more sleeping!
7. A new winter coat
8. Tall brown boots

8 places I want to see/visit
1. Istanbul
2. Jerusalem
3. Egypt
4. China
5. Canada (All of it! Mostly the islands, though.)
6. Australia
7. Great Britain
8. Everywhere else!

8 people I tag

Everyone of my blog friends has already done this!

Meh...

I sincerely feel the need to write something meaningful, but I gotta tell you, I got nothin'.
Right now I'm just floating down life's stream trying to enjoy the float.
I'm doing okay, I think.

Just a couple great things that have happened lately:

Last night I dreamed about Bones (the television show) -- don't tell Preston but I have a little thing for David Boreanaz; I can't help it! (but only as Booth. *Blech* on Angel...) So... good dream.

Preston finally has a cell phone! And I get a new one that will match (except his is green and mine purple) ...dorky, yes, but I'm excited!

My friend Rachel is engaged, and I am so excited for her! I love that there are so many romances around me right now. It makes everything I have with Preston feel brand-new again. Not that it feels old ...I can't believe it's been almost a year already!

I have gone almost 2 weeks without spotting a house centipede! I don't actually care if they're in the house, I just don't want to see them. (Of course, I realize that saying as much will probably result in a sighting in the near future. That's just how the h.c.'s roll.)

I found this chamomile-apple tea that smells SO good. I'm excited to try it out when the weather gets a little nippier.

And... that's all.

I know. My life is great. You don't have to tell me. :)

Quick fix...

I know. I've been slacking lately.
So here's a quick update on my life and times:

Mexico! Olé!
Toward the end of July, we took a trip to Puerto Penasco, Mexico with my family and my aunt's family. It was way fun, but super hot! The Sonoran Desert is a beautiful place! We caught crabs, and did our best to avoid the electric blue jellies (with a couple of casualties)...
Behold some pictures:




Baby Torsten
We have a new nephew! His name is Torsten Kesler Erickson, and he's precious. Preston and I got to visit him at the beginning of this month. Here are a few photos:

The Job Search is Finally Over!!!
After an ENTIRE summer of looking for a new position, I have finally found a job!
I work at Fort Douglas in the Education Services office. Once I get my security clearance, I will be helping soldiers make the most of the many tuition assistance programs available to them. Until then I'm getting paid to do crossword puzzles and file. :) Beats sitting at home poring over Craig's List postings!
GO ARMY!



It's over! (Until I write again, that is...)