Sunday, August 14, 2005


Carolyn and her Daddy enjoy one another so much. It is such a gift that they have this time to be together. Not to mention the gift of the scenery. Wow! Posted by Picasa

Friday, August 12, 2005

Addie, and Cindi, and Fay A, and Justakid, and Everyone

If you are one who prays, PLEASE pray for my friends at LCSC (Lung Cancer Support Community). The news there has been particularly dismal in the last few months. My Mom's passing was one of so many recently, and some long time much beloved members are just getting horrible news.

Pray especially for those that are having huge bumps in the rode. These folks are seeing recurrence, new staging, new mets, and all that goes with all of that. The collective heart of that online community is SO VERY heavy. All of us, but especially those whose battle has just become so much more intense, need many many prayers.

http://lchelp.org/

My heart just aches.

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

100 Things About Me

I took my friend, Gina's (http://gina8724.blogspot.com/) challenge and this is what I came up with.

1. My name is Val
2. I have one daughter.
3. I’m married (to a wonderful man whom I adore)
4. I’m a Navy wife.
5. I don’t have a permanent address at the moment.
6. I stubbed my toe a couple weeks ago and tore some skin off and it’s just now healing.
7. I have freckles.
8. I have brown hair.
9. I go to church.
10. I try to love people like Christ loved people, and probably fail far too often.
11. I’m named after My Mom’s friend and my Dad’s sister.
12. I named my daughter after my Mom and my husband’s grandmother.
13. I like the beach.
14. I enjoy watching the sun set.
15. I’m scared to swim in the ocean because I’m paranoid about stinging creatures and other sea life
16. I spend way too much time on the internet.
17. I’ve spent a lot of time writing lately.
18. I’m staying at a really cute furnished vacation rental right now.
19. When I was in 3rd Grade, I had braces.
20. I used to have a huge gap between my teeth.
21. I still have a tiny gap between my teeth.
22. I’m a romantic, but I try not to be cheesy.
23. I’m a regular poster at 3 message boards.
24. I’ve met ‘people I knew from the interenet’ several times (like Gina!)
25. I like trees.
26. My favorite verse from the Bible is Jeremiah 17:7-8 (about trees!)
27. I still like to color in coloring books.
28. I love porch swings.
29. I’m going to a picnic today, but I’m not sure that I want to.
30. I love ice cream.
31. I frequently self-medicate with chocolate.
32. I don’t think there’s anything more comforting that Peppermint Tea in a big black mug.
33. I love the T.V. show Judging Amy
34. I read 22 blogs somewhat regularly.
35. I have trouble numbering things like this.
36. I keep several journals.
37. I hope to have a book published some day.
38. I may or may not be working on said book right now.
39. When I was in 3rd Grade I had to sing, "My Country Tis of Thee" every day.
40. My anniversary is June 29th.
41. I’m an INFP accorting to the Kiersey Temperment Sorter
42. Input, Developer, Connectivity, Cognition, and something else that starts with a C are my strengths on the strength finder
43. The primary stone on my engagement ring is a Sapphire
44. I love Italian food
45. I have a freckle on my middle right toe.
46. I met my husband in college.
47. I have a degree in Special Education.
48. I taught at one point for about 6 months.
49. Growing up, I never thought I’d move out of Illinois.
50. I’ve lived in Florida, and Washington and have traveled at least 16,000 cross country miles in the last two years.
51. I’m glad I moved out of Illinois even if it’s not a permanent thing.
52. I have a cat named Chester.
53. Growing up I had a dog named Sadie and I still miss her.
54. When I was little I had an imaginary friend named ‘Conky.’
55. It’s really annoying to me that so many of the items on this list start with the word "I"
56. From now on I’m going to try not to start any more items with "I."
57. I failed.
58. Growing up, I had a playhouse.
59. One of the things I enjoyed most in High School was Scholastic Bowl.
60. Band was also enjoyable to me.
61. Mandy Patinkin is one of my favorite actors.
62. Chicago Hope is still one of my favorite shows.
63. West Wing Seasons 1, 2, and 3 are part of my DVD collection.
64. Moline airport is my favorite airport from which to leave.
65. Daisies were the primary flower in my wedding.
66. My favorite scent is lavender.
67. Irises are my favorite flower.
68. My eyes are green.
69. While I was teaching the Home Ec. Teacher taught me to knit.
70. Currently I’m working on knitting a red blanket.
71. My hair isn’t colored.
72. Grey hairs have already made an appearance in my hair.
73. My parents helped to make me who I am and I think I had two of the most wonderful parents in the entire universe.
74. Questions are superior to Answers in my opinion.
75. Zimbabwe is one of my favorite words.
76. Fingernail sensations intrigue me.
77. My daughter has been exclusively breast-fed up to this point.
78. The house I’m living in at present has a water view.
79. When in Washington, I attend a Methodist church.
80. Last week, I visited Mt. Rushmore.
81. In addition, I toured a really funky sculpture garden.
82. Today, I haven’t had a shower.
83. In fact, I’m still in my p.js at the time of my writing this.
84. One of the things I’m known for is being a picky eater.
85. In the last few years I’ve learned not to be such a picky eater.
86. Vegetable consumption has become a more regular mealtime occurrence for me.
87. Broccoli and Asparagus still smell bad to me.
88. It is a rare occurrence for me to paint my fingernails.
89. One of my favorite things in the world is going barefoot.
90. This reminds me of my happy list which I have been keeping since High School.
91. Surprisingly, I have only one credit card.
92. Green is my favorite color
93. There was a pond near my house when I was a little girl.
94. Currently, I’m reading the book Blue Like Jazz
95. When I was little I didn’t like Winnie the Pooh very much.
96. Now I do.
97. The motto of my husband’s and my life together is, "Life is an Expotition. You’ll need a hat."
98. Yes, I do know that ‘Expotition’ is spelled wrong.
99. Words are something that I love.
100. Now, I’m done.

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Determination

Carolyn is TRYING SO HARD to crawl. She's not there yet, but she's darn close. She's getting up on hands and knees and rocking. Sometimes she pushes herself back. The faces she makes when she's trying are just priceless. She's SO determined.

OK... I can do this. Posted by Picasa

I'm UP! Posted by Picasa

I'm down....  Posted by Picasa

Gonna do it!







Gonna... CRAWL!!! Posted by Picasa

Sunday, August 07, 2005

Sand and Surf

Today was Andy's last day of leave, so we took some time and went to a State Park to explore. It was a very beachy state park (and it was another beach with waves!). We liked it a lot. Carolyn was more aware of the waves than the last time she was on the beach. She made all sorts of happy sounds. I put her little toes in the sand and let the water wash up over them. She was NOT so sure about that.

I still just love the waves. Something about them is just comforting. Things can feel just awful and listening to the waves will make me feel like life contains beauty even though it hurts sometimes.

Life is just funny. It's so big, and hard, and wonderful, and horrible. I'm limping through this grieving stuff. When I say that, you might think that means I'm sitting around crying all the time. In some ways, I wish that's what I was doing. I seem only able to cope. I know the feelings will come, and as my friend, Amber said, I may deal by doing my "Val type of quietly imploding" dealing.

I am thankful for this time. I am thankful for the beautiful house we're staying in. I'm thankful for Carolyn and Andy and this gift of extra time we have together. I would rather be with Mom still, but if we can't be, I'm glad we have this short time as the three of us. I am thankful for beaches, and holding hands, and ice cream.

I am sad, but I am thankful.

Does that all relate to the theme of 'Sand and Surf?' Oh well. If it all doesn't, at least the pictures do.

Carolyn and Daddy on a big pieace of driftwood. We found another beach with waves! Posted by Picasa

All bundled up in the stroller. Gotta love that smile! Posted by Picasa

Carolyn meeting a couple of pups Posted by Picasa

Thursday, August 04, 2005

Illinois to Washington--In no Particular Order


A spot of shade at the sculpture garden. Posted by Picasa

Wake up, Dad! Posted by Picasa

Carolyn at Mt. Rushmore Posted by Picasa

Our furry friends in Montana Posted by Picasa

Carolyn makes the best of her carseat Posted by Picasa

Lots of new sights for Carolyn... Posted by Picasa

I always wanted to look up the nose of a president.  Posted by Picasa

Watch out, Dad! Posted by Picasa