Sabbath Musings

Very slowly getting back into my "old" busy life. It has been a strange experience. I told someone recently, that was like my life was a table. Filled from edge to edge with so many things. Some things I LOVE to do, like being with my grand babies and making Sunday dinner for my family. Some of the things that fill my table aren't as enjoyable, like taking Little Man in for blood draws and housework. But my table was full. One day a giant came along, swung their arm out and swiped everything off the table. Suddenly it was empty! There was nothing to do, no where to go. My days were "filled" with naps, dr appts for myself and nothing else. Bizarre to say the least.
As I am feeling better and better, I add things in, going to the store, doing laundry, Little Man's cares, housework, and of course, spending time with my precious grand daughters. I have an occasional off day. Friday and yesterday I was tired and headachy. So I took it easy. But I feel so very much better than I did 6 weeks ago.
So I am guessing the majority of you know that my precious Pygmy Child is due with my grandson who will be called Tigger on the blog, in April.



As every mom does, when my oldest was born, I dreamed of all of her firsts, proms, graduations, weddings and of course, babies.
As a retired midwife, childbirth is a big deal in my little world. I have had the honor to attend hundreds of women and the fathers of babies as they welcomed a precious new soul into their family. I have never gotten over the wonder and the miracle of the moment that new baby enters into this world. Everything changes. Childbirth changes you. And while I know that not every woman will receive the gift of giving birth themselves, (they have other miracles in store for them) that does not make the wonderment of childbirth any less precious or wonderful.
Of course I was going to attend my oldest daughter's childbirth! So many asked me if I was the midwife, but I said no. I don't want to midwife my grand babies. When I am in baby catcher mode, I have to stay in my higher functioning mind, and my thoughts are not generally about the miracle, but more along the lines..."is she bleeding too much? What is the baby's APGAR? Is the placenta ready? How do the baby's lungs sound?" Only as a helper, would I be able to fully enjoy supporting my daughter and her husband in the birthing process and then to give myself total permission to immerse myself in the wonder of my new grandson.
I have known for a while, but I haven't been able to bring myself to share my bad news with the world in general, because it hurt so much. My doctor told me I would not be healthy enough to travel until May or June. AFTER my grandson is due. I cried a thousand tears over it. It broke my heart. I waited to cry until after I told my daughter the bad news, and I made her promise not to cry.
I woke up the next morning, so sad and heavy of heart, to this email from her....

Mom, please don't be sad. I know you really wanted to come and of course I wanted you here too but I cannot feel regret after almost losing you. Remember you have already given me all the tools I need to bring Tigger into this world. Through your example I've learned to trust my body, believe in my power to give birth, and rely on my maternal instincts. I have recieved these gifts at your side over the years and although you will not be with physically, your essence, your love and encouragment are already a part of me. Thank you for teaching me and showing me this path less traveled. I know the Lord's hand is in this. I am not disappointed with the way things are going. I know He is guiding our paths to give us each exactly what we need. The scripture Proverbs 3:5-6 comes to mind: Trust in the Lord with all thine bheart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
I love you mom. I am so grateful you are healing and that I will see you sooner rather than later. Love, Pygmy Child & Tigger.

Precious words, what mom would not feel lifted when they received a letter like that from her daughter? Balm for my hurting heart.
I read them again and again, so I can be comforted and know I am with her, even though I am far away in a physical sense. No distance in the universe could keep us apart, our love binds us. I am blessed.
This journey has been far from easy, but I am learning so much and every day, I am grateful I am still here, and getting better.

Happy Birthday

to me!
Sharing my birthday with Easter this year leaves me keenly aware of how very blessed I am to celebrate today. With the promise of spring and eternal life, I am just so grateful to still be on the planet. All my grand babies are coming over tonight for my birthday, who could ask for a better present?

Can You Believe It?

A Mountain Monday post!
Pictures first, then I will tell you what is going on.

I was already writing an obituary in my head for Ms. Tenacious. I wasn't expecting to see her again, after the last three months or so. But guess what? She is still hanging in there. Wow. What spirit she has.




Spring is here in fits and starts as is usual for a Utah spring. There is still a lot of snow on the mountains.







I love the contrast of the snow and the dark rocks and trees.



If you look close enough, you can find a promise of the Spring to come, here and there.




Junebug, can you believe she will be THREE in June?


Sweet Squid, she has the most beautiful eyes.



All the girlies love their Pop-Pop!



Buttercup will be 10 months old this next week. Her eyes are still blue, much to our delight. Her mommy, BB, spiked her hair just for me!



The Pea. Remember the unadulterated joy of childhood? She is four and half and just a hoot. She announced to her mommy and me that she will be attending "killer garden" in the fall! We laughed, she got offended.




My own personal spring has arrived. Last week, it was the strangest thing. I have been slowly getting better, but was still very tired, very brain fuzzy, (which I hate)lots of headaches, and in general just feeling not great. I was taken off my daytime O2 on the 18th. I am guessing a lot of the yuckiness was coming from trying to adjust to being on blood thinners since other folks complain about the same things. But on Sat the 20th, I woke up and felt good! Brain fuzz gone, energy up, I felt so good it was weird! Every day since then has been pretty darn wonderful. I just feel better. I guess my body adjusted. Whatever, it is great to feel better.
Being sick takes a lot of energy. I had no energy to blog, (in case you hadn't noticed) not enough energy to have my grandbabies by myself, I wasn't even reading much. I didn't even THINK about my camera, much less pick it up. It has been months since I touched it. I knew I was starting to recover when I began to think about my camera again. Now, I have enough energy to be with the grandbabies AND take pictures. It is wonderful.

Do not watch the video without a generous slathering of Cute screen on, because the cuteness is at lethal levels!



I have been hitting the gym in our apartments. Now don't get too excited, I am using the gym because I can keep an eye on my heartrate there, whereas, if I am out walking, I can't. I don't dare stress my heart. I picked up some of my records from the hospital and I was horrified at some of labs and tests. Besides being horribly anemic, I found out I was in moderate heart failure the day I went to the ER. My BNP was 621! I am actually glad we didn't know then, being told I might die was plenty to handle at the time.
I am up to 30 minutes on the treadmill and as long as I keep my heart rate in the mid 130's, I get a workout, but I don't overdo it. The first day I did it, I pushed myself too far and almost passed out. But I can be taught, I won't do that again!

I am praying the good days continue, I love feeling better, and it makes Spring that much more precious to me this year. As if the whole world is coming alive, just for me. Thank you for all your kindness, your emails,visits, phone calls, prayers, meals, flowers, cards, good thoughts and love. If you meant to make me feel loved and cherished, you did a good job!

Sabbath Musings

On Death and Dying...

But before I get to that, I am alive and doing well. My doctor said I am recovering quickly, considering how bad off I was. I am still on oxygen, but able to do more, walking quicker, and Bald Man is happy that I am helping with Little Man again. I am back to being the designated butt wiper, much to Little Man and Bald Man's delight, and my un-delight.
I get out a few times a week, mostly for dr appts, and sometimes to the store. I stick my O2 tank in that little cart and ride around. That pretty much tires me out and I come home and take a nap. I haven't ever really been this sick before, so it is a new experience, and boy do I have to be mindful of my physical self. I want to stretch myself every day, but not go so far that I am debilitated. It is a harder thing to balance than you would imagine. For the most part I feel fine, until I don't. But I am working on it.

So, back to the serious stuff.
In the ER, when they told me that this might actually kill me, I would be lying if I didn't say I was scared. I was SCARED.
Our beliefs about death come from many different places. Our family's beliefs, our religion, and our culture. The three things that have shaped my beliefs about death are being raised a Catholic, being Lakota, and being LDS (Mormon). All three of these belief systems believe in life after death, and for the Lakota, and the LDS, a circular belief of time, of always being and always been.
It is interesting to me, to note what went through my mind, as I contemplated my exit from this life. There were no regrets, nothing I felt that I needed to do, or anything that was undone. I felt at peace with my relationship with my husband, and an assurance that we were NOT done, and our relationship would continue on into forever.
I would have guessed, if you had asked me, I would have some serious misgivings about leaving my Little Man, who is so dependent on me. But you know what? I didn't! I felt in the deepest part of myself, I knew he would be okay, more okay than most. That was a big surprise.
What I felt most of all, is I wasn't done. I wasn't done loving my family. Was not done holding my grandbabies, laughing and loving them. That was all, just a sense that I couldn't leave before my grandson was born in April, before I got to hold him. No regrets, no wishing I had done more. I just wanted more of what I do, love my family. That was really reassuring, to know I really am at peace with my life and my choices. Of all the things I have done, or dreamed of doing, when it came down to the very essence of life, all that mattered was the love.
I knew I would see everyone I loved again, and I was at peace with that.

The first night, (I didn't know this until just two days ago, I was in the cardiac ICU. Ahem, kind of glad I didn't know!)in the hospital, I had a tremendous experience. At the time, I didn't understand completely what was going on, but looking back, I realize it was a near death experience, I was not completely in this world, but not in the next either. Straddling life and death as it were.
While I lay there in the bed, in the dark, I was very far away from my physical experience. I wasn't in any pain, and I really couldn't feel all that much.
What I did feel was incredible. I was at peace. Complete peace. I felt cradled and held. I could actually FEEL the prayers and good thoughts upholding me. It was transcendent. To feel wrapped in love and peace. I don't even know if I can explain it, because there was no mind chatter, no negative thoughts, no fear, just a sense of incredible love and peace. I hope I never forget how it felt, because it is something I want to hold close to my heart for the rest of my life.
I was awake most of the night, and as the night progressed, I become more and more aware of my physical self. By morning, I was very firmly back in my body, I was completely sick and miserable. The day that followed was really awful, I was in pain, and I was very tired, and I was really, really, really sick. Too sick to read or watch TV or do anything except lay there. I was very disappointed at the loss of the peace and love, I guess some part of me was expecting that experience to last. Sadly, it didn't. But because of the misery, it points out how very incredible the night before was. I am grateful. Love, love is everything. Go hug the people you love and tell them.

Stripped

I am a baby. Not the wah-wah whiny kind, (although I have my moments, ask my long suffering Bald Man!)
I am nothing but the most essential me. I eat, I breathe, I am my most primordial self, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
I can not care for myself physically , I am dependent and needy. Without extra care, I would not survive. Like any baby, right here, right now is all that matters. I manage what is in front of me, I have no extra energy for worry about tomorrow, or yesterday. Present.
I reach, to stretch, to walk just a few more steps today than I did yesterday. Whether I succeed or not, there is no negative self talk, now, just is. Success is in the doing. Be
Breathing is primal, when every breath I took for more than a week was fought for, I can not take my air for granted now. I am aware, multiple times a day of the air moving through my nose, down my throat, expanding into my lungs. I can feel it, whether deep or shallow. Each one, precious.
I am in love with my oxygen, what relief, what sweet peace it brings to breathe and to have breath. And when I have to work at it, how careful I am, to draw each one in, purposefully, with intent, to give to myself what I crave. Air.
Emotionally, I am laid bare. I have no extra energy to be embarrassed about my vulnerability. Normally I would rather die than cry in front of someone, as if my soul were naked. But now? If I feel like crying, I do, even if it exposes the core of me.
Spiritually, I am deeply aware of God's grace. My every breath is grace. Each day a gift.
I am grateful beyond words for the kindness and love shown to me. I am cherished, cradled, carried.
I accept, I love, I breathe. I am just, just me.

There is no place like home

Blogging from the couch. I am hooked up to one of these:O2 concentrator so I am breathing easy. Right now I am gathering up my courage to go take a shower. It just really kind of flattens me, so I have to be prepared.
On the road to recovery. Considering how I felt last week and how very dang close I came to exiting this existence, what can I be anything but grateful?
Everyone has been so very kind. Flowers and visits and chocolate and phone calls and get well cards and dinners. If I ever wondered if I am loved, I can never wonder again. I have been cradled in prayers, love and caring. While the rest of this hasn't been much fun, that part, that part is most precious. Thank you.

Still Here

They kept me for another day. My iron was very low, so they gave me IV iron in hopes that it will help me breathe, which I am sure it will. Most likely I will go home tomorrow. My liver definitely sent up the white flag and has stopped producing the clotting factors like a good little liver. I am much closer to being as thin blooded as they want. I have had some ups and downs, but as I sit right now, I am feeling better than I did yesterday. After a mega throwing up episode, I have a chance to be very grateful for Zofran. I haven't ever had it before, but let me tell you, it is a wonderful thing when you are sick to your stomach.
Still blogging from bed, Jo

Home?

They are saying they are going to send me home tomorrow. While I am far from well, I am on the road to recovery. I will be going home on oxygen and very lucky to just be alive. I also have to give myself shots in my stomach with Lovenox. I am sure some of you are shuddering at the thought, and I guess I could let you think I was super amazing and totally stoic. But here is the truth. If you give the shot into a stretch mark, you can't feel it at all. Nada. Since Tank was 11 pounds, I have no dearth of stretch marks, which means, painless. So, there, I told you my secret. Who knew that someday I would be very grateful for my stretch marks? I never hated them, they just were. But now, they are a blessing. Seriously.
I guess my natural stubbornness extends even to my innards. They have me on blood thinners so that I will stop making clots and allow all the ones in my lungs, (large and small) to be dissolved. Well, my liver, which is the part that makes the blood clotting factors has absolutely refused to move! My INR has remained very low, and they have been giving more and more warfarin to thin my blood. I guess my liver finally threw up a white flag today. Even though it is still low, it finally moved, which made my doctor happy. AND made him say that perhaps I can go home tomorrow.
I am a little apprehensive since Little Man's care continues to be beyond my ability, and he really wears me out. But he misses his mama most dreadfully. He keeps telling me I need to come home, and read him a story and snuggle him. Breaks my heart.
They made me take a walk tonight to assess my oxygen needs, I think I scared my poor little aide. He looks like he is 14, and when I was coughing and gasping for breath, he was way concerned. I made it back to the bed without collapsing, so I won that round. Right now, if I am in bed, and I am not moving, I can keep my oxygen saturations up by myself without any help. I can not take a step, or even roll over in bed without gasping for air, so oxygen it is. Don't think I am complaining, I am NOT. After struggling for more than a week to breathe, there is nothing I want more, than to be able to breathe without working so hard at it.
And really, I keep being told I am very, very lucky to be alive, so I am just grateful for every breath.

Games People Play

Games you can play in the hospital. Pea was here visiting today, (She misses her Bam-maw so very badly) and hid behind the curtain around the door and played hide and seek.
A great game if you are four or under.
Now if you are twenty and a boy, the games get a bit more complicated. You take the thingy you put on your finger to see how your oxygen saturation is? You take it, put it on your own finger, and hold your breath as long as you can. Then you watch the numbers on the monitor come down.
This game can be enlivened if the nurse happens to notice and come running in when the alarm bells start ringing. JJ was very proud, his best score was 86! (100 is what most people "sat" at)
Amazing how life can change suddenly. Right now, I have two things that I long for, live for, beg for, cry for. Breathing and sleep.
I love my oxygen, how wonderful it is to breathe and to feel the breath in me, and to not fight for my air. I love it. I am aware, I am grateful.
Last night I finally begged the dr to give me something better to help me sleep. I think I am in love with Ambien. Last night after I took it and I started to fall asleep, all I could feel was just joy that I was actually going to sleep! And I felt so much better when I woke up this morning. My spirits and body were renewed by some sleep. Today is the first time in weeks that I can say I actually feel like I am beginning to recover. And for now, that is enough.

Blogging From Bed

Hidey Ho my cyber neighbors. These last few weeks have been tough and it looks like it is far from over. I am currently an unwilling inmate in the hospital. I caught a cold a couple of weeks ago and I just couldn't shake it, it just got harder and harder to breathe. Yesterday, I finally alarmed a doctor enough to not just send me home, and I have multiple pulmonary emboli in my lungs. Go ask Dr google if you need more info, I am too tired to type much. I will be here for a few days at least. I am on blood thinners to help keep any more clots from forming and to allow my body to absorb these. If you are on Facebook, you can friend me at Jo In Utah.
I am so sad, I feel like I lost my 4.0 GPA. I have taken my good health for granted my whole life, and I have never been in the hospital for being sick, or ever had a surgery. Now I can't say, healthy as a horse anymore! Betrayed!
There have been so many kind calls, Flowers from my beloved Cupcake! prayers, I am undone by the love and caring. I feel so cradled in love, and I am doing my best to just get better. Love you all.
Jo

A Look Back on 2009

When I think back on the last year, I find my blog to be, (surprise!) a reflection in my life. Good times and bad, smiles and tears. Come along as I mark the year with some of my favorite posts from 2009.

Jan 09 finds me enjoying the delights of my DSLR with Mountain Monday posts.

The biggest thing that happened in January was our reconnection with Little Man's birth family.



These two posts probably say the most about the whole thing: That Quick and Wow!

While we haven't seen Big Sister or Little Man's Unci (Grandmother) again, we continue to visit Little Sister as much as we can.

Feb 09 found me in tears because of YOUR generosity. GRATITUDE! The outpouring of clothes, both new and gently used, toys, books and most of all the love, the immense amount of love I found, had me melting into puddles. Because of the sweet giving nature of my readers, Little Sister has clothes that are season appropriate AND nice! Thank you once again. For caring. Never forget, you made the difference in someone's life. Mwah!
I also had fun needle felting

And went to Kristina's blogger lunch, wow, talk about laughter and fun! I even got to wear the (in)famous snuggie!

March was filled with whining about whether or not spring was coming and some of my favorite pictures I have ever taken!
The eagles!


A single snowflake!


Swans!


I feel so blessed to be able to capture the beauty that is all around me and share it with with you.

April of 09 opened with my 48th birthday and a Happy Birthday post to me


I was such a cute little squirt, huh?

I continued to mark the journey of Ms. Tenacious, the oak leaf.



I told a funny story about my mom illustrated by my illustrious self!



Pygmy Child came to visit for 11 days and the boy started soccer and loved it much to all our delight! I became a soccer mom and I am so proud of it!



May 2009, lots more pictures of cute granddaughters, flowers, spring and soccer! We also announced the due date of our Buttercup!


June brought not just flowers, but our sweet little Buttercup!



It is kind of odd to look at the pictures and realize how much I didn't know this sweet girl. She is just the sweetest baby ever and I can not think of her without smiling.
We took a trip out the rez for a family reunion and I got in touch with my native roots.
The best part of the trip was spending time with my family. Sister Shutterbug, Cousin Turtle Woman, and most of all, our precious Bright Star.

I knew it would be likely the last time I would get to see her, and I did my best to build up the memories to carry me through the years without her. My best memory of the her on that trip was watching the lightening storm with her over the prairie.
Keep shining Bright Star, keep shining.

July found us very busy with swimming and enjoying summer activities. I noticed July is when my I lost my blogging Mojo. Not only was I not post like I was before, I wasn't reading and commenting like I had either. I have still to find it. I am hoping it won't be much longer!
But in spite of the leanness of posting, the cuteness continues to be into the danger zone!


Amber from Soggy Cheerios gave me a chance to feel like a real photographer taking pics of her beautiful girls.


In August I was asked to do a guest post at Mormon Mommy Blogs I poured my heart out and in return, I received so much love and support.

We also announced the upcoming arrival in April of our newest grandchild!




September was when things started to go downhill for me. Little did I know! Soccer started again, to my delight! It is so hard for me to explain why I love watching Little Man play soccer, but suffice it to say, I plan pretty much everything around his soccer days!



Cute granddaughters are sprinkled here and there and I am so grateful for their smiles and laughter.
My mom was very ill at the end of Sept and we were all scared and worried.

October started out nicely with me being able to take a photography field trip.
Good thing, cause the rest of October was memorable only because it was so horrid.
Little Man took an extended stay at Club Med for almost a week due to complications from Swine Flu.
We got home from that and our precious Bright Star exited this life for the next one.
Even as I am writing this, my heart is just squeezed with missing her.
November found the Tangled peeps traveling the country! We went to Cali for Bright Star's funeral and even though I am a sucky blogger and didn't mention it, we also made a very hasty trip out South Dakota for Thanksgiving! It was wonderful to see my mom and to see how well she is recovering. I had a chance to love on my sweet tajokas (grandchildren) and to fill my soul with the goodness of being home. I am so glad I didn't sign up for nablopomo this year. The previous two years I did and I was traveling then too! I learned this year.
December is easy since I only posted once!
My favorite picture ever!


To fill you in on our December, Bald Man made doll houses for the granddaughters, I made the beds and couches!


I made all the kids their Christmas pjs.




This isn't a good picture for anything, except to show off the matching pajamas!






Our Christmas was lean on money and rich in memories and fun. We made cookies, we laughed, made new Christmas ornaments and found out that we are having a grandSON in April. Wow, I was thinking we didn't know how to make boys, but I was wrong.

It was a year of ups,downs, tears and laughter. I don't regret a moment of the love I gave and received through the year. My strength was tested in the Fall, but with the Lord's help, I made it through, intact, I think....
I am not much of one for New Year's resolutions. But here they are: I will resolve to love deeply, to laugh uproariously, to sleep when I can, scream when I have to and pray when I need to. If you are along for the ride, it makes it all the sweeter. Praying the New Year finds you happy, healthy and filled with love.

Christmas Chaos!

Do you folks remember last Christmas at Casa Del Tangled?




Things have NOT improved!



I bought the girls the matching dresses in all FOUR sizes in October. I had their bows custom made at Abby's Bowtique. If I were wealthy, I would have had a really good photographer take their picture. But on my budget this year, Target was it. For some reason I thought the girls would behave better for someone else. I was wrong!
But! I LOVE, love, love, love this picture. I ordered a big one to put on the wall. Hope this picture gives you a merry chuckle and puts you in the Christmas mood!

This could become a Tangled Tradition. We will see what happens next Christmas!

Mountain Monday

Holy Heck! In case you haven't noticed, the last few months have been kinda nuts around here. Do you know how wonderful it is to have NO ONE in the hospital, needing surgery, dying or any other type of anything? I am breathing again. I am reading blogs and slowly catching up on commenting. Guess what? I am actually posting a REAL Mountain Monday, on Monday! Wooohooo!
I must say I am rather short on sleep though. This weekend has been bad for Little Man and his sleep. Friday night and Saturday night he threw up all his nighttime meds. So, no sleep until 2. Yesterday night, he didn't throw up, but he still didn't go to sleep until 2. I turned around this morning after he left for school and went back to bed. The only problem with that is that I end up with a very short day. The sun was going down as I was snapping pics, so I didn't get a bunch, but hey, I only need a few, right? Tonight, the boy was asleep by 8! Yippee!
Now on the pictures!

Check it out! Ms. Tenacious continues to cling. It has been a year now.



Ms. Tenacious has either been a bad influence or an inspiration to some of her fellow leaves. Here is one of this years who decide to hang in there too. This one is not all rolled up like our friend.




And here are a whole bunch of other leaves who are hanging in there too! They make a nice backdrop for the mountains.




Snowy rose hips.



















Do have any idea how hard it is to get all four girls in a picture? This should give you an idea. Lousy picture, but it was the BEST one.




I have a goal of getting each of the grandbabies with a good picture of them asleep.




Buttercup doing a preview of the girls Christmas dresses and their custom made bows!



I have more pictures because I got to go to lunch TWICE with some awesome ladies, but I am too tired now to try and put them up. I am just so grateful to be finding my mojo again.

"Mountain" Monday

It is Monday. I do live in the Mountains. That will have to do for the time being. Sorry to be sooo out of loop lately in terms of both posting and reading. I was feeling bad about it the other day and I asked one of my friends if they thought I was being very whiny or if things really have been tough for our little family. I was reassured to hear, no, things have been tough, and you aren't whiny. If they lied, God bless them!
Saturday was the first time in many weeks that I didn't feel the weight of the world pressing on my shoulders and I was very grateful.
So, today, being Monday and all that, I will share with you the pictures I took while we were in California for Bright Star's services. I miss her horribly, but I was grateful we could go, and share in the celebration of this remarkable young woman's life. She was an inspiration to many and her light will continue to shine, well, I guess, forever!
The services were the essence of bitter-sweet. So terrible to say goodbye, so wonderful to share as family and friends in our love for her. I got to see family I hadn't seen in a very long time and it was such a blessing to be there. Mostly, I was so grateful to know I will see Bright Star again. Love is forever.

This is my niece, and her precious girl, Miss J. Great Niece to you, granddaughter to me. Isn't she delicious? I could have eaten her with a spoon. She was so much fun!





Bald Man and I took a trip up to Telegraph Hill to see the wild parrots









My favorite place to be in the whole world is the beach and being near the ocean. Looks like the boy took after his mom. This picture was taken right before he went out a bit too far, (in spite of our shouting at him to come back) He got rolled good by a wave and was pretty pissed off at the ocean for a while.











This picture is a close up, cause this little jellyfish was tiny. I thought it was beautiful and it was still alive after I put it in some water. I know a lot about jellyfish from watching Finding Nemo and I knew it couldn't sting me if I picked it up by its bell. Little Man and I caught three of them and put them in a jar of seawater. They lived for a day, it was awesome to watch them swimming around!



Here is a gift for you. Just enjoy the sound and sight of the waves and take a deep breath or two, you will feel better, I promise!



I even got a chance to meet with Jami from Superfluous Miscellany for lunch! Dang, she and I talked for hours and never ran out of stuff to say. Thank you Jami, I had a GREAT time! Plus she had some clothes for Baby Sister. Jami is even better in real life than she is on her blog and that is saying something!


A long drive home and we are back in Utah. I am hoping to find my blogging mojo again soon, both the writing and the reading there of! Thanks for stopping by and for all your kind comments in regards to Bright Star's death.