My Grama's Soul

My mother was never much of a Gardner.  She never had the time with taking care of our family and working full time.  But, one thing she did grow was a sweet potato vine.  She even used the container I have used in this photo.  An old depression glass pitcher...here is to you mom!! Jo

Sending Lillies to all........ xo Jo

Brad and I were married 40 years ago today.  It seems almost impossible that so much time has sped by.  It is a life filled with many, many memories that I never dreamed I would have. Saying those vows all those years ago in our little living room in our house on Holly makes the memories even sweeter. We started out with next to nothing...only our love and commitment to each other and my kids and we have never wavered.   He always sends me one rose for each of our married years.  This year....it is 40....such a large bouquet that the florist had to place it in two vases.  Goodness....the thought just occurred to me if we make it to 60 they will have to put the roses in a small wheelbarrow. HAHA!! I married a wonderful man....I'm VERY FORTUNATE AND GRATEFUL. Have a beautiful day, Jo

Mother's Day is always a bittersweet day for me.  I lost my own beautiful mother many, many years ago and miss her still. However, I had been fortunate enough to have many other wonderful women in my life who have filled this need when necessary.  My beautiful Aunt Ruth, my best friend Jan, my sister-in-law Sandy, friends Mary, Lainey, Marilyn...just to name a few.  All these women have been there for me when needed and helped me tremendously through happy as well as difficult times. The other side of this coin is my son....SCOTT.  Scott was born on Mother's Day...51 years ago.  He is no longer here and on this day I can remember with complete clarity his birth and all that it entailed.  I MISS HIM....it is just that simple! Not trying to be maudlin or sad, it just is what it is. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHERS AND THE OTHER MOTHERS OUT THERE. Here is sending all of you a big smooch. xo Jo

Yesterday was my wedding anniversary.  June 1st, 1979 was the day my sweet Brad and I tied the knot...  as they say. We had a very simple wedding as it was a second marriage for the both of us...  In a small home down in central Phoenix....38 years ago.  Only immediate family joined us and we were married by a Justice of the Peace.   Neither one of us had much in the way of stuff or much money for that matter;  but we had my two kids and each other and that is all that seemed to matter. Lots and lots of flowers decorated our home for this event...are you surprised? Daisies were my favorite flower then so we filled the place up. The JP wore a Kelly Green leisure suit...which I WILL NEVER FORGET.  When he rang the door bell and I answered....it did take my breath away...I'll tell you that!   :0) The whole event was catered by Miracle Mile Deli.....one of our favorite inexpensive eating places...and I...

This photo, of my son, was taken  a few years ago.  He was so very healthy here...had been working out like crazy and was eating really well and taking care of himself.  He has been gone a little over two years now and I still miss him every day. This morning...when I realized what day this was I did a little trip down memory lane and remembered the day he was born.  I was only 20 years old, much too young to be having a child of my own.  He dad was just a year older...he was also too young.  When I think back over the years of my son's brief life I try to remember only the good times...in fact I think I have purposely blocked out the bad.   His love of music and animals is always something that brings me solace when I get a little sad about his passing.  He was a gifted drummer and never saw an animal he did not love.  His heart was as big as gold... although he did not have much to share with anyone...he would have given ...

This is a second marriage for both Brad and I.  His first wife, though I never met her sounds like a lovely woman, but the marriage just didn't work.  Fortunately, ours has. He has never shared much with me about his first marriage...but as I have gotten older I have been a little more inquisitive about that part of his life. One of my recent questions to him was what his home looked like. He has always loved wood and he has told me that his last home with her had Mahogany doors and window casements.  Perhaps that is why we always have wood floors  when we purchase a new home.   This led to me inquiring about the inside style of his home. He said it was pretty basic...black leather sofa from college days and a few other things they has picked up along the way. Her style was totally opposite mine....not so much stuff!  haha Anyway....as we are talking about this he was looking around our sweet li...

"Don't cry because it is over.  Smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss This is a photo of our two beautiful Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.  Sophie, in front and Skyler behind.  Soph...as we call her is 14 and Skyler just turned 5. These two pups have given us such joy it is hard to describe in words. Today, unfortunately, we have had to make the decision to put our older girl, Soph, down.  It is one of the hardest decisions a pet owner must make but we know it is our final loving responsible act. Tomorrow morning we will have the vet come to the house and lay our girl to rest. I know it will be the saddest of days but one that any pet owner must ultimately face in the end.  I titled this post as I did choosing the words I chose for these reasons. I need God's HELP in seeing me through all this sadness:  just as God helped me pick Soph as a puppy all those years ago. I want to THANK God everyday for having...

Today is our thirty seventh wedding anniversary.  My how the years have flown by.  It seems like only yesterday we were standing in front of the Justice of the Peace in his KELLY GREEN leisure suit....that's right...it was a hoot!! I should of known  then I was in for one heck of an adventure with my guy.  We have had a wonderful and exciting life together, and it "ain't over yet" as they say. Happy Anniversary Brad... I will love you forever. Jo

My mom passed when I was 31....so she has been gone a long time.  I still miss her...but I, like many of you, have been fortunate enough to have encountered many other surrogate  mother's during my lifetime. My beautiful Aunt Ruth, my wonderful sister-in-law Sandy, my perfect friend Jan...my other  terrific  friend, Mary, just to name a few of the women who have so influenced me during this trip called "life". Thanks to all of you and here is wishing all the mothers out there the very happiest of mothers day. Stay well. xo Jo

It has been just a little over one year since we downsized into this little spot of ours.  A year of both sadness and multiple blessings.  We have made a few changes to the inside of the house and the yard.  Wanted to show some of the changes we came up with by using old stuff in a new way. I believe the most difficult aspect of moving is how you will use your existing things since we certainly could not afford to go out and buy all new.    As I indicated in a previous post, I only kept what I LOVE and that in itself was a huge undertaking.  Using old things in new ways to bring back memories and smiles.  In the photo above I hung all my Chinese Lanterns and umbrellas from my porch ceiling.  It is a fairly high ceiling for a porch and I figured they could be installed there with little effort.   That way they can be put to use instead of being stored away;  reminding me of the many trips we have made around our country ...

Years ago, while visiting my beautiful aunt Ruth...we were talking about my blog.  She asked me why I began blogging and I replied something to the effect that I really didn't know.  She piped in with this reply..."I know why....you need to let the world know YOU WERE HERE".   After thinking about this a while....I believe that is the correct assumption. Perhaps....that is the only thing a blog is..an invitation for others to see that you existed and really lived. If one does not have an extended family..... who is there to tell your story?  With that in mind I have decided to create a collage of my life.   Pictures and cards of where I have lived and where I have traveled. Sweet cards from friends who really mattered....and beautiful cards I have picked up along the way. Oh...I know....when I die this will probably end up on the junk pile or in some second hand shop somewhere...but for now I will work on this little...

My favorite time during the holidays is at night.  Sitting in a dark room with the tree lights on is always so calming. Enjoy........... hugs, Jo

Today is our 35th wedding anniversary.  My beautiful husband ALWAYS gets me flowers.....one red rose for each year we have been married. I can honestly say that the years spent with Brad have made me a better and stronger person.  His commitment has never faltered and he has always been there with a helping hand when I needed it the most. Our love has only grown stronger over the years regardless of what life has given us. Thanks honey for a wonderful 35 years and I only hope we can have 35 more. xoxo Jo