NEW SHRUBS, FRESH MULCH, AND LOTS OF ROCKS

Thanks to the new landscaping, visitors are now greeted by a more inviting entrance as they make their way to the front door.  Gone is the walkway full of crumbling bricks replaced with large rock stepping stones.  And my knees appreciate the easier-to-climb rock steps that lead to the front porch.  

We wanted something that would be easy to maintain (hence the rocks) as well as something that fit our "woodsy" environment, and are happy with the results.   It has probably been almost 20 years since the original shrubbery was planted - an update was definitely overdue.


LIFE GOES ON

This past few weeks have been weepy ones.  I've been struggling with memories of what I was doing this time last year.  It caught me off-guard somewhat; how can it possibly be a full year since we lost her?

When it was time to call in Hospice, she had us set up her bed in the kitchen, because she wanted to be sure that she didn't miss anything.  And the kitchen is pretty much the room where we spent most our time for those last several weeks.   It never entered my mind at the time that I would still be sitting in her kitchen a year later.  Only now its mine.  

Earlier today as I fixed breakfast, memories of those last weeks came flooding back to me.  I'm so glad I got to spend that time with her, and will forever cherish the memories of the giggles and tears we shared during those last days.  She was a special lady, and I was blessed to have her as my mother.

She always said that "life goes on", and I guess it does. . . but my life changed the evening of November 20, 2014 when we lost her.

IN MEMORY OF COLLEEN

Denny lost his mom a few weeks ago.  She died of heart disease on October 25 - just two days short of her 90th birthday.  

We're glad he was able to make a couple of trips to Los Gatos prior to her death so he was able to spend some time with her during her last months.  His first visit home after her death was to attend the November 14 Memorial Service.  It was an emotional trip for him -  his first visit "home" without her there to welcome him.

She was a vivacious lady who loved life, and always had a smile on her face.  The photo below is of a young Colleen who obviously adored her first son.  

Over time, this small boy grew into the man who would become the love of my life.  She did a wonderful job shaping him into the decent, hard working, honorable man that he is today; and, for that, I am sincerely grateful.

Seems like there is entirely too much death around here lately.  And losing a parent is especially hard.  She will be truly missed.