Oh for the love of Pete!  (I don’t know who Pete is btw).  I have grass in my backyard!  OH my goodness I’m excited.  Really really excited. 

Here’s 2002 when I first moved in:

Here’s 2005 right after we got the puppy:

Here’s 2006 when the very last of the lawn was going:

Now, it looks better than the first one.  ’cause it’s new!  yeah!  I’ll take a pic tomorrow when there is sun.  We are making a doggy area on the side for the now *horse* size dog.  Okay, small horse… pony really. 

Not only do I have my lawn back thanks to the hubby (you are THE bestest!) but last night after I watered I noticed a frog looking up at me from the grass.  Oh my gosh I haven’t had frogs in the backyard since the destruction of the grass.  Oh yes… the frogs are back and I’m a happy gal.

  hugs

~Monica~

Okay, has anyone seen this movie? ‘Cause I just watched it yesterday with the boys (hubby and two sons) and I laughed my tushie off. No kidding.

Wild Hogs – I so recommend it.

My honey has a beautiful motorcycle. Wait, can I say that? “Beautiful” regarding a manly grumbling machine? Yes, it’s my blog… and I say it’s BEAUTIFUL. But ofcourse, oh so manly. Here’s a pic:

Is he hot on that thing or WHAT?! hee hee

Okay, I actually took classes to learn to ride and about got a V-Twin for myself…. however, due to a seizure since I figure trying to get off the road, then get off the bike, and be safe before having a seizure is simply NOT the smartest thing this woman can do. So, although I can ride… I won’t buy one.

Back to the movie – Wild Hogs. It’s about these older dudes (um, 40s?) who go through their mid-life crisis of sorts and go on a 2k mile ride together. And man I just couldn’t stop the giggling and laughing.

My dad was a biker… and my sis and I definately had that all in our life. You know, colors… patches… etc. So it just made me laugh a bit watching the whole thing. Too funny.

Alrighty, love and light and happy “going to the movies”!

Monica

I haven’t blogged much about what’s going on with my father-in-law… and I know people come through here looking for information on it and I haven’t really talked about it much. Why? I don’t know really. It’s just a real downer that I don’t really have it in me to discuss it. But it’s real, and it’s happening. So for those that look to this blog to know how things are, I thought I’d get it out a bit.

He’s dying of lung cancer. Yes, he smokes and has for most all of his life. And, is still smoking. And so do I. Does this make sense? No. Well, for him he says it doesn’t matter anymore. For me? Does it make sense to light up when you are watching someone you love die from just that? No – it doesn’t.

Cigarettes – why were they made? Why are they so darned addictive that faced with the way it takes you out of this beautiful life – you (me) continue to do it? I don’t understand.

I’ve attempted quits, but not successfully. There’s always an excuse to go back. Rather, I always give one. But to watch someone you love die from the very same habit makes no logical sense.

The amount of chemicals in a cigarette is staggering. So is how it takes you.

My father in law was this tall burly guy, now he’s a skeleton. I feel his spirit so solidly that it breaks my heart to hear him discuss the final part of his life. I make him smile, I make him laugh and I listen to his many many stories. That’s all I know to do. I’ve talked to him at length about what happens after all of this and he genuinely seems to be in a spiritual place now. Before, he denied it.

My husband is struggling and most times holds his head up and does as a “good” son would do. But sometimes I know he feels like breaking. It just hurts me to watch it all.

My mother-in-law (June) is the strength that Harold doesn’t have right now. She’s the dutiful wife that does everything with so much love and attention it brings tears to my eyes thinking of her. I know there will be a day that perhaps me or my husband will be faced with the same. Caring for your spouse to their death. One of the ultimate forms of love I would think.

Harold is extraordinary. He’s loving, kind, spiritual and gentle.

Harold has only a month or so left (or maybe weeks). It seems you can never get enough of a person before they go. There’s always so much more you wish for.

Harold asked Daniel and I, June (his wife), Mark (his 3rd born son) and Sedonia (Mark’s beautiful girlfriend) to get him out of the house. He’s refused further treatment and simply wanted to enjoy a day. Saturday we took him to Cache Creek (an Indian Casino near us) and we gambled and had a great time together. He was in a wheelchair and we wheeled him around to play whatever machine “called his name” and hit the awesome buffet. Okay, THAT was alot of fun. But watching him when he didn’t know I was – he just seems as if his spirit is here, but not. Kinda like half here. I don’t know if that makes sense. But he had fun to be sure!

There will be no services – per the family. I’ll be doing the arrangements so that his wife and the others don’t need to. But no services at all. It’s simply what they wish for.

Cancer surely should be cured by now. If we can put ourselves into space and spend huge amounts of monies on war, certainly we could get this darned medical issue as a past issue. My feeling.

Love and Light,

Mon

Hi there!

My dearest husband took off for a day to Utah for a reunion of our training group. It’s funny, ’cause I’m so happy for him to get out and get away for a bit of time to himself. He’s had such a rough time as of late… what with things here at the house, his father being at the end of cancer, and a load of work. I’m glad he’s taking this time to go have some genuine fun.

He and I have been married since May of 2006 and integrating a family has been very interesting and at times a huge test of our spirits. We’ve done great in my opinion, but there are always times when each of us, married or not, need time to ourselves. Because even when you are married, I truly believe you are still individuals as well.

I remember when marriage was simply something I didn’t have a need for. I was a single mother for upwards of 10 years and did very well on my own. I was quite independent and simply “knew” I could take it all on. I did take it all on, and succeeded.

Then the issue of marriage came up and he and I simply “dived” in. We ran away and got married and happilly. Both of us had stated we would never get married again, and that we didn’t “need” to be married. Funny, as much as we said it was as hard as we ran to do it.

Life being a combined family has its ups and downs to be sure. But I have to say, sharing this life with him is simply wonderful. No doubts there.

The children are doing well. Stephen has been happy and healthy, James has been happy too – After all mom has been home 24/7 and given them both ample family time.

I work from the time I get up to the time I go to sleep now. Owning your own business requires that you take care of your clients – and I have to say it’s very enjoyable. Having the ability to work from my home and be with the kids has been very refreshing. Although, we pay for an office in a city away… I have been working from the house to be sure I’m home right now for Stephen.

I’m getting a bit antsy. I haven’t driven since June 14th of this year and my brand new (under 4k miles) Lexus is dusty in the garage. Not being able to drive has taken a bit of a toll on my good natured self. I sometimes feel very “caged” and totally dependent on my husband to get me from point A to point B. I’m sure my license will be good in at the most January of 2008. Although the 6 months hits on 12/14/2007 – it does take the California Dept. of Motor Vehicles quite a while to process paperwork. So I’m giving it until January so I won’t be let down.

After all of this happened with Stephen I noticed how much love and caring those around me had to share. Family came out of the wordwork to be sure all was well. Friends were right there for me when I needed them. Including my “Blogging” friends. Thank you for the uplifting comments and emails. You are appreciated.

Well, enough rambling and back to work.

My love to you and yours…

Sincerely,

Monica (albiet caged, but still smiling)

I took this in Utah in August.  Daniel climbed into this huge water fountain and got cold as well.  Thought I’d take a pic.  Sometimes energies and water mix quite well. 

We’ve had a very full few weeks it seems.  We graduated from our Impact Trainings Lift Off training and that was a blast!  This week we are at their Couples and Commitment training.  Sounds great!

We are in Coalville, UT and it’s absolutely beautiful.  We came in driving from Salt Lake and there was a gorgeous lightning storm as we were coming through.

I wanted to take a moment to tell you all hello, and I’ll be blogging soon.

Love and Light!

Mon

Although we’ve been "with" eachother since 11/2004 – we were married on 5/20/2006!  So, ’tis our one year anniversary!  Oh my gosh we had a blast.  Daniel told me we were going for a drive.  A drive we did up to Napa Valley and into Calistoga California.

We walked around Lincoln Ave in Calistoga and had some fun sites!  There was the "wind fun" guy, the old cars AND the beautiful architecture. 

But his surprise was when we walked into the Lavender Hills Spa!  We had a seaweed bath, facial of sorts, and an hour massage.  Hello?!  What a guy!

I love you honey, and happy first anniversary and looking forward to many many more.

Love and Light,

Mon (enjoy the pics!)

=============

The Wind Things Man

He was a very colorful guy and very happy!  I just had to put this pic in here. 

The Price of Living There (well, nice parcel!)

The price on this is $2,850,000USD.  Daniel and I were talking about retiring there – but um, the businesses will need to pick up a bit. 

The downtown

The Architecture

Well there are some things Daniel brought with him when he moved in 18 months ago… this Santa is one of them. Boy he’s um, kinda cute. I suppose he’s growing on me. I think.

Happy Holidays!

I just had to say that Daniel and I had a wonderful night last night.  We went to dinner at this place I absolutely love.  I think it’s called Castle Rock something or another.  LOL  Anyway, the lady that owns it is this wonderful older lady and is such a sweetheart.   And their food!  Oh to die for.

So we went out and had dinner and then came home and talked for hours in bed.  Very nice to say the least.

Thanks honey for an awesome night. 

I worked all morning until now, so I got alot done albiet sick.  But I’m glad I got to work through it.  I don’t like missing work, especially since it’s my own company now… although I don’t like missing period.

So I got alot of my reconciliations done, hopefully the new controller will be good with that.The guy that’s taking my place is really great.  I think he’ll do wonderfully at the company!  I just have to make sure I remember everything to tell him… ya know?

Daniel came home early… now THAT’s a wonderful surprise!  He just left to get me something to munch on… I have the greatest hubby in the world.

The kittens are doing great!   They both have bells on… well, collars and bells.  Too funny they had a fit when I put it on… and played around trying to get them off.  I think they gave up.  But I keep hearing bells!  LOL

Anyway, I already love them to death.  Now, if I can only come up with names that fit.