I have two voicemail messages from Tina still that I keep saving on my phone. I also recorded them to my computer. I hope I remember to save them every few days so that I can listen to her anytime. They are sweet reminders of things she always said to me on the phone.
My dad died in '88 and I still randomly cry about him, and also my brother who died in 2000, and my sis-in-law who died in '81 or "83.... She was one of my best friends in High School when I lived with Tina, even before she married my brother. Sometimes I can talk about any of them, and many others, and not cry, other times I just think about them and tears flow.
Something strange I haven't told a lot of people.... We were in Houston for New Year's and I woke up early that morning before the alarm went off. I don't recall the time now, I just know it was early. Then on Monday morning, I was sleeping in the guest room because I was so exhausted and E snores. I woke up really early, around 6:40 thinking someone had come into the room, but E was snoring in the other room, and I didn't see anyone. Every morning I wake up at that same time before my alarm goes off at 7:00. Only that one morning did I feel like someone was in the room. When my grandmother died, she came to Tina and sat on the foot of her bed and told her that everything was going to be alright. Tina was her favorite. I wonder now if Tina came to me that first morning after she died. Another odd thing... when my dad died, I didn't know it but when I got to the hospital I found out that it was the exact minute that I had awakened that morning, before the alarm went off. I had planned to get up and go to the hospital. I'm wondering now if Tina died at 6:40 in the morning. I didn't think about that until this morning. We'll see if I keep waking up at the same time, or if I won't now that I've figured that out. Wonder what the autopsy will say. I doubt they can pinpoint the time that close. It doesn't matter what time I go to bed, I keep waking at that same time. Well, that's plenty to digest for now.
Anyway, there will always be a connection and if you haven't read the book, Heaven Is For Real, I highly recommend it. It's one of my fav books since I read it about 6 months ago. I'm going to read it again in the next few weeks. I'm taking it with me to two church women's retreats the first two weekends in February.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sad News
This has been the worst start to a New Year ever!
My niece found my sister/best friend, Tina, dead in her duplex on New Year's Day evening.
She had fallen Christmas Eve day and broke her arm just below the right shoulder. At the hospital, they put it in a sling strapped to her body and sent her home with a scrip for pain. Said they couldn't cast it because of where the break was until the swelling went down and that she should see her ortho doc. She had an appt scheduled for Jan. 2nd. We don't know yet what happened to her. She was diabetic and had some heart issues, so it was probably a combination of those. They said 6-8 weeks to get reports back that may give us a better idea of what happened.
She was my best friend even tho 9 years older. We did many things together. We emailed several times a day and talked on the phone several times each week. I miss her so much.
We had her memorial service on Jan. 7th. I'm amazed that I got through my talk when the family shared. Luckily, my brother and Tina's two sons let me go first. I pretty much read what I had typed, or I wouldn't have made it through.
It was heartwarming to see so many of her family and friends take one of the pigs from her collection as a memento. She collected them the 20 years she worked for APD, and even in the 3 years since she retired. Many of the people showed me the pig they chose and told me why. I wish I could remember all the stories.
The first week of January was the worst week of my life so far. I know there will be more of those. It's just what happens as we get older. I just have to take each day as it comes, and be thankful to have had the time I did with her. Rest in peace, sweet sister. I love you, and I know I will see you again.
My niece found my sister/best friend, Tina, dead in her duplex on New Year's Day evening.
She had fallen Christmas Eve day and broke her arm just below the right shoulder. At the hospital, they put it in a sling strapped to her body and sent her home with a scrip for pain. Said they couldn't cast it because of where the break was until the swelling went down and that she should see her ortho doc. She had an appt scheduled for Jan. 2nd. We don't know yet what happened to her. She was diabetic and had some heart issues, so it was probably a combination of those. They said 6-8 weeks to get reports back that may give us a better idea of what happened.
She was my best friend even tho 9 years older. We did many things together. We emailed several times a day and talked on the phone several times each week. I miss her so much.
We had her memorial service on Jan. 7th. I'm amazed that I got through my talk when the family shared. Luckily, my brother and Tina's two sons let me go first. I pretty much read what I had typed, or I wouldn't have made it through.
It was heartwarming to see so many of her family and friends take one of the pigs from her collection as a memento. She collected them the 20 years she worked for APD, and even in the 3 years since she retired. Many of the people showed me the pig they chose and told me why. I wish I could remember all the stories.
The first week of January was the worst week of my life so far. I know there will be more of those. It's just what happens as we get older. I just have to take each day as it comes, and be thankful to have had the time I did with her. Rest in peace, sweet sister. I love you, and I know I will see you again.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Merry Christmas!
Oh, my! It's been a long time since I've posted! Busy season!
I love my two jobs working part time for two real estate attorneys. I could not have designed a better work situation if I had tried. They both keep me very busy, and I'm always learning new things. Never a dull moment!
I'm finally as ready for Christmas as I'm going to get. We started decorating for Christmas actually in mid-October, to be ready for Christmas portraits, in time for people to send them out in Christmas cards, but also because my husband's sister was coming to visit and she hadn't been to our home yet. She always decorates hers so nicely, my husband wanted it nice for her visit. We finished decorating outside right after Thanksgiving. And somehow, I still didn't have time to get Christmas cards mailed out this year. I think I'm going to start addressing them in July in 2012.
I love that I can keep up with family and friends on Facebook and send them greetings that way, on a more frequent basis than just once a year at Christmas.
And for those of you who aren't on Facebook and only follow me here, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Lori
I love my two jobs working part time for two real estate attorneys. I could not have designed a better work situation if I had tried. They both keep me very busy, and I'm always learning new things. Never a dull moment!
I'm finally as ready for Christmas as I'm going to get. We started decorating for Christmas actually in mid-October, to be ready for Christmas portraits, in time for people to send them out in Christmas cards, but also because my husband's sister was coming to visit and she hadn't been to our home yet. She always decorates hers so nicely, my husband wanted it nice for her visit. We finished decorating outside right after Thanksgiving. And somehow, I still didn't have time to get Christmas cards mailed out this year. I think I'm going to start addressing them in July in 2012.
I love that I can keep up with family and friends on Facebook and send them greetings that way, on a more frequent basis than just once a year at Christmas.
And for those of you who aren't on Facebook and only follow me here, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Blessings,
Lori
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Seven Days in Utopia
We went to the early movie today at noon to see Seven Days in Utopia. I really enjoyed it. I love movies that make me laugh and make me cry, especially when they have a good message, or several. It's a good family movie. No bad language, no nudity, no blood and guts (well, a little blood at the beginning). Check out the trailer online.
Of course, after seeing the movie, I want to go to Utopia to check it out. It's on the way to or from church camp, if we take a slightly different road than we did last time. We like to take different roads anyway looking for photo opportunities. We found some neat ones last time. It's fun to set the GPS on shortest distance and see where it takes us down country roads. Sometimes we end up at a dead end where some rancher has put up a gate, but even then we find good photos along the way, so we don't mind backtracking a little.
Well, I have to do a bit more work on some parenting materials for the wellness fair I have a table at next Wednesday. Good parenting skills do contribute to overall family wellness. I'm looking forward to this event. Different than most things I've done before. Praying it goes well, so we have opportunity to help more families have peace in their homes in these trying times.
Blessings,
Lori
Of course, after seeing the movie, I want to go to Utopia to check it out. It's on the way to or from church camp, if we take a slightly different road than we did last time. We like to take different roads anyway looking for photo opportunities. We found some neat ones last time. It's fun to set the GPS on shortest distance and see where it takes us down country roads. Sometimes we end up at a dead end where some rancher has put up a gate, but even then we find good photos along the way, so we don't mind backtracking a little.
Well, I have to do a bit more work on some parenting materials for the wellness fair I have a table at next Wednesday. Good parenting skills do contribute to overall family wellness. I'm looking forward to this event. Different than most things I've done before. Praying it goes well, so we have opportunity to help more families have peace in their homes in these trying times.
Blessings,
Lori
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wildfires!!! Pray for rain!
Luckily, My family, with two homes in Cedar Creek, were spared, so far, and that fire is almost contained. I feel sad for all those who lost homes, but am certainly thankful that my 94 year old mom, my sister, niece and her son, and my other niece and family still have homes to go to. My niece said she could see the fire down the street from her home, but the firemen blocked it and turned it away. She had already taken her little girl over to her sister's home in South Austin the day before when all the news of Bastrop (only 12-15 miles from them) came out.
Thankfully, the wind has died down so the firefighters can more easily fight the blazes. Please pray for rain!
It's been cool enough this week that I walk to work in the morning (17 blocks). It takes 5-10 minutes less to walk it than to wait 10 minutes and take the bus, and then still walk 4.5 blocks to the office. People just don't know how to ride the bus efficiently. They wait until they are standing on the bus to dig for their ticket or money. Aaarggghhh!
I still catch the bus 4 blocks from the office in the afternoon. If I catch the 2:36 bus, I only have to walk a block to the train. If I miss that one, I walk 4 blocks to the train. Either way is not bad now that it's cooling off a little. I need the exercise anyway, since I signed up for the Walk Austin thing a couple weeks ago. Supposed to do 60 minutes of exercise every day (for the gold medal)! Walking is taking a big chunk out of that, then I sometimes get in the pool when I get home and do water aerobics. The water is starting to get too cool with the cooler nights we've been having, so don't know how much longer I'll do that. Then I'll have to walk both ways instead of taking the afternoon bus. I like to walk tho. Get to see things you don't see when you're driving. Well, almost time to walk some more!
Remember to pray for rain!
Blessings,
Lori
Thankfully, the wind has died down so the firefighters can more easily fight the blazes. Please pray for rain!
It's been cool enough this week that I walk to work in the morning (17 blocks). It takes 5-10 minutes less to walk it than to wait 10 minutes and take the bus, and then still walk 4.5 blocks to the office. People just don't know how to ride the bus efficiently. They wait until they are standing on the bus to dig for their ticket or money. Aaarggghhh!
I still catch the bus 4 blocks from the office in the afternoon. If I catch the 2:36 bus, I only have to walk a block to the train. If I miss that one, I walk 4 blocks to the train. Either way is not bad now that it's cooling off a little. I need the exercise anyway, since I signed up for the Walk Austin thing a couple weeks ago. Supposed to do 60 minutes of exercise every day (for the gold medal)! Walking is taking a big chunk out of that, then I sometimes get in the pool when I get home and do water aerobics. The water is starting to get too cool with the cooler nights we've been having, so don't know how much longer I'll do that. Then I'll have to walk both ways instead of taking the afternoon bus. I like to walk tho. Get to see things you don't see when you're driving. Well, almost time to walk some more!
Remember to pray for rain!
Blessings,
Lori
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Back to work!
The part time temporary job that I mentioned in my last post has turned into a part time "permanent" job, hopefully for as long as I want it.
The really nice guy I work for in the afternoon offered his old assistant of 13 years a year's salary severance pay. She's in poor health so it's a great deal for her. He didn't need someone full time anymore and it doesn't make sense for her to drive from Georgetown for 3 hours a day. It works out perfect for me. I work 2.25 hours in the morning at one office, then walk 4 blocks to the other office to work at least 3 hours in the afternoon, and can still catch the train home, so I don't have to drive in traffic! Well, I do drive 5 miles to the park and ride, but much better than 40 miles round trip each day! I get home in time to do some work on our businesses and still get some sleep!
I'm doing a booth at a Corporate Wellness and Family Health event on Sept 14th promoting Redirecting Children's Behavior parenting courses. Hopefully will get some students for the course starting November 3rd. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning some advanced parenting skills to create more peace in their home, please pass the website link along to them. www.sensibleparenting.com or my email. lori@sensibleparenting.com
I'll also be starting another series of Essential Oil classes soon. Just have to take a few minutes looking at the calendar to plan dates. If you are interested in getting the info when I set the dates, send me an email.
lorissareynolds@gmail.com
It's also time to schedule photo sessions for Christmas cards! Can you believe how fast this year has flown by! Start thinking about Senior photos too. We are looking for several students (Junior and Senior) to be Senior Ambassadors. If you know someone who may be interested, give them our website and/or email.
www.unicornphotographics.com or info@unicornphotographics.com
Well, back to work. I don't want to be up too late again tonight!
Blessings,
Lori
The really nice guy I work for in the afternoon offered his old assistant of 13 years a year's salary severance pay. She's in poor health so it's a great deal for her. He didn't need someone full time anymore and it doesn't make sense for her to drive from Georgetown for 3 hours a day. It works out perfect for me. I work 2.25 hours in the morning at one office, then walk 4 blocks to the other office to work at least 3 hours in the afternoon, and can still catch the train home, so I don't have to drive in traffic! Well, I do drive 5 miles to the park and ride, but much better than 40 miles round trip each day! I get home in time to do some work on our businesses and still get some sleep!
I'm doing a booth at a Corporate Wellness and Family Health event on Sept 14th promoting Redirecting Children's Behavior parenting courses. Hopefully will get some students for the course starting November 3rd. If you know of anyone who may be interested in learning some advanced parenting skills to create more peace in their home, please pass the website link along to them. www.sensibleparenting.com or my email. lori@sensibleparenting.com
I'll also be starting another series of Essential Oil classes soon. Just have to take a few minutes looking at the calendar to plan dates. If you are interested in getting the info when I set the dates, send me an email.
lorissareynolds@gmail.com
It's also time to schedule photo sessions for Christmas cards! Can you believe how fast this year has flown by! Start thinking about Senior photos too. We are looking for several students (Junior and Senior) to be Senior Ambassadors. If you know someone who may be interested, give them our website and/or email.
www.unicornphotographics.com or info@unicornphotographics.com
Well, back to work. I don't want to be up too late again tonight!
Blessings,
Lori
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Latest news....
Well, maybe not THE latest since I haven't posted in a while.
I'm actually only working 2.25 hours in the mornings at that job, but have been working anywhere from 2 to almost 5 some days for his friend at least 3 or 4 days each week for a couple weeks now. The assistant was supposed to be out for 10 days for surgery the first part of May and has been out since then for several more surgeries. He doesn't know when or if she is coming back, so I'm filling in helping him get caught up a bit.
I'm still looking for something full time, or at least another part time job that is long term. I need to work about 7 more years. Even then, we'll probably still work our own businesses, as long as we are able. Teaching parenting classes is very rewarding, and we love photography, so will probably always take photos.
I've also started teaching a series of Essential Oil classes to educate people on how to live healthier lives using essential oils and essential oil products. I've been using them since 2000 and have greatly improved my health in so many ways! I rarely have trouble with allergies anymore, and in Austin, that is saying something!
Let me know if you are interested in more info about the EO classes, or parenting classes.
Seems we've been spending a bit more time with family lately, and more time at church too. Both are very good things!
I read an amazing book last week. Heaven is for Real. I highly recommend it. It's a bestseller so you should be able to find it easily. Paperback. Fast read. I read it in two days on the train mostly, to and from work. You won't be the same after you read it. That's a good thing! Let me know what you think of it. I'm curious. :)
Well, better get back to work. Must send out email newsletter about parenting classes and EO classes. As soon as I work on the schedule a bit. Summer is an awkward time to schedule things.
Hope you are having a great Summer!
Blessings,
Lori
I'm actually only working 2.25 hours in the mornings at that job, but have been working anywhere from 2 to almost 5 some days for his friend at least 3 or 4 days each week for a couple weeks now. The assistant was supposed to be out for 10 days for surgery the first part of May and has been out since then for several more surgeries. He doesn't know when or if she is coming back, so I'm filling in helping him get caught up a bit.
I'm still looking for something full time, or at least another part time job that is long term. I need to work about 7 more years. Even then, we'll probably still work our own businesses, as long as we are able. Teaching parenting classes is very rewarding, and we love photography, so will probably always take photos.
I've also started teaching a series of Essential Oil classes to educate people on how to live healthier lives using essential oils and essential oil products. I've been using them since 2000 and have greatly improved my health in so many ways! I rarely have trouble with allergies anymore, and in Austin, that is saying something!
Let me know if you are interested in more info about the EO classes, or parenting classes.
Seems we've been spending a bit more time with family lately, and more time at church too. Both are very good things!
I read an amazing book last week. Heaven is for Real. I highly recommend it. It's a bestseller so you should be able to find it easily. Paperback. Fast read. I read it in two days on the train mostly, to and from work. You won't be the same after you read it. That's a good thing! Let me know what you think of it. I'm curious. :)
Well, better get back to work. Must send out email newsletter about parenting classes and EO classes. As soon as I work on the schedule a bit. Summer is an awkward time to schedule things.
Hope you are having a great Summer!
Blessings,
Lori
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