Just 40 Days

Dear Dad, It's been two weeks since your funeral.  We laid your body in its final resting place beside mom. I remember you saying that you hardly went to the cemetery because as you said: 'your mother isn't there'.  Cemeteries are for the living, to have a place to visit and remember you.  I will always say: Hi mom and dad as I drive by yours. The last of the June birthday notes you wrote have been mailed. I'm sure those who received them will hold them close to their heart as they remember you. My heart aches for your corny jokes and smile. Love Me

Today was an extra long day. It is the day my dad died. I'm still in shock as it happened so quickly Dad. My heart aches for you.  You were so full of life.  I never imagined a world without you in it.

If I continue to eat 2000 calories a day, I will continue to weigh 200 pounds.

So last night, I watched a little bit of ABC's The Last Days of Michael Jackson.  I'm 57 years old, and I grew up with MJ so I was a bit interested.

My New Washer There seems to be this great debate over having an agitator or an impeller in your washing machine. The point of a washing machine is to get your clothes clean.  This requires soap, water, and friction. Call me old fashioned, but I prefer the agitator.  I never had any issues with it before, so why change?  Innovation is good, and this, the 7th washer, all Maytag btw, of my adult life is perfect with it's steel drum and glass top so that I can watch the action. I learned something new last night.  The drum spins slowly as the water for the rinse cycle is added.

The rule made of gold is THE hardest of all! 

My mom had three sisters. She was the youngest of six. I am the third of her eight children, five of which are girls. The five us had bookend brothers, one older and two younger.  We were born within seven years of each other, that's 85 months between the oldest and the youngest. Let me think of it another way - The oldest of us just turned seven when the youngest was born.  And by the time I was five, I had three little sisters. I learned alot growing up with all those sisters: how to share, to care,  to argue and to fix hair.  We learned how to love, to defend, how to build up and defeat. The relationship between sisters is complex. We slept in the same room and shared beds. We were close - we shared an underwear drawer! Sometimes, we were on the same sports teams. This was good for our team as we were competitive and athletic.  It was also good for my parents, as they didn't have to attend multiple games. While in high school, three of my sisters wer...