On June 26 our nephew Joseph Oehrl, named for my late dad, died.
It was a terrible, accidental death that left us all stunned and heartbroken. A death that leaves our 6 year old great nephew Joey without a dad.
For the first time, I'm glad that my mom is dead, because this would have killed her. All Joe's other grandmother could do was cry, for days and days. No one should have to bury a grandchild.
We have so many wonderful memories of this sweet, kind, bright young man. He wasn't a daily part of our lives, and we'd go months without talking to him, but we knew he was there. And now he's not. And as hard as it's hit us, it must be a thousand times worse for my brother and sister in law. I can't even imagine.
When Joseph was about 14, I took a new dessert to Thanksgiving. While we were at the table, he asked who made that dessert, and I told him I'd made it, my first trifle. He said it was the best thing ever, and I had to make it for him every time I came to their house. I named it Joseph's Trifle, and made it every year thereafter. Everyone knew any leftover trifle was not to be touched except by him. Now, I don't know if I'll ever be able to make it again.
Mike and Donna had Joseph cremated, and his ashes buried with my mom's, and next to my Dad's grave, across from my grandparents. It's perfect.
There were over 500 people at Joseph's viewing, the most that funeral home has ever seen. His brother Michael started his eulogy with, "Joe was a pain in my ass." Several people spoke, and we laughed and cried at the same time. The consensus was that Joseph drove us all crazy, and we all loved him.
Life will go on, as it does. Amanda and Amary, and Steph and Dan flew out the morning after the funeral. John left for the long drive back to Florida after the luncheon. And now we all have to go thru life without the light that was Joseph.
The temp is low 70's, the humidity high 80's! AC on so we can breathe.
I wanted to send Amary a stuffie with a cast, but couldn't find any I liked. Stuffed meerkat, however, is adorable!
So I sent her a get well meerkat, and one for Garrett! And two books about meerkats.
The meerkats are a hit! Manda said the kids and meerkats have been inseparable, and the books have been read several times.
And when Amary got her cast yesterday, meerkat also got a cast! And Amary told everyone that her grammy sent her the meerkat! Some days I'm such a success at this long distance grammy thing!
Tina screamed at Ralph til he did his duty and provided her with a lap to cuddle on!
6 days til our Alaska cruise! Rapid Rover is booked, house and cat sitting is taken care of, and the Do Not Forget list is in place.
Wow, mid June already! We've never made a big deal out of either Mother's or Father's Day, they are such Hallmark Holidays. And my dad was never impressed by it, so no big.
Yesterday was Julianna's 7th dance recital! She started in kindergarten and she has grown and progressed so much! She was in 5 numbers! Of course we took her flowers.
We both desperately needed haircuts, so off we went to Great Clips.
Amary fell from a piece of school playground equipment and fractured her wrist! It's splinted now, cast to go on early this week for 4 weeks. Poor kid.
Steph's office assistant, hard at work!
It's an early morning visitor, up from the woods!
I finished the sky afghan from the crochet crowd. It was supposed to be a 3 month afghan, but I wanted it longer. And the wall hanging was made years ago, but I finally got Ralph to hang it for me. My first attempt at applique, it was from a class. The class project called for a train in the front yard, but I changed it to a lake and boat. I'm happy with it.
We've had a gorgeous week weather wise, but the humidity is creeping back up today. Summer in jersey.
I didn't realize that it had been so long since I posted here! We had our 47th wedding anniversary on May 27! How can so many years go by so quickly? We celebrated by having a glass of wine with our dinner.
I finished this baby afghan. I'm not thrilled with it. It was a kit, and was two rows of double crochet, followed by two rows of single crochet. The directions didn't have it turn after each row of dc, and it's a little wonky. The yarn had metallic thread woven around it, and it was the devil's pubes to work with! The hook would split the yarn, and get caught.
We had lunch at Olive Garden one day. I always fill up on salad, and bring most of the entree home. The meatball pizza bowl got me 3 meals!
We got our sweet Sly's ashes back, and he now resides on the mantle. I'm finally not always looking for him when I enter a room.
A 4th cousin on my paternal grandmother's side found me on ancestry! She has intro'd me to other 4th cousins, and they've sent me a bunch of pix of relatives! This was my Pop's brother in law and his nephews! Turns out my Pop's sister also married a Carson, so I'm a double Carson! The man in the pic has a strong resemblance to my dad, which is so cool. I also found out from them that my grandmother worked in a post office in Ireland before coming over, and her sister was a tailoress!
And she sent me a copy of my grandmother's birth record! It's so amazing!
Yesterday was Manda's birthday! I'm not sure how she got to be 38, that seems awfully old, LOL. Today we're going to our usual Sunday lunch with Frank and Charlotte. The AC has been on and off, and today it's nice out, so the windows are open.
And such is life!
Last month our sweet Sly was diagnosed with probable bladder cancer, as he had a mass. He was given shots of steriods and antibiotics and an oral NSAID. We understood it was only a matter of time, and a quality of life issue. He was 16, and we'd had him and his sister Tina for 6 years.
He was better, and then last weekend he wasn't. He was obviously uncomfortable, and having issues with his urine. He was sleeping, when he wasn't pacing. He looked at me, and I knew he'd had enough. He looked unkempt, the way cats do when they aren't grooming themselves. Sunday night I promised my sweet boo that I'd take care of him, and make it better.
Monday we went to the vet. They gave him a shot of sedation, and I held him while he drifted away, then they gave him the final shot. His last awareness was of me holding him. What more can anyone ask?
It was an easy decision. I'd made the same decision for my grandmother and my dad. I'm at peace with all the decisions. It's just so damn hard, and we're so damn sad. Tina has been looking for him, and every time I go into a room I automatically look for my boo.
One friend asked how I could stay with him. I countered, how could I not? It wasn't about me, it was about Sly. I promised him he wouldn't be in pain, or afraid, and I lived up to my promise, which is some comfort.
Damn, I miss my boo.
I love to cook, when I'm in the mood! I made us eggs, bacon and toast one morning. I have the tablecloth on the table that Manda brought me back from Italy. It makes me happy, it's so cheerful!
We had Steph home for a minute! She had a manager's meeting in Mt. Laurel, so we got to have dinner with her Monday night and visit for a short time. She had meetings Tuesday and half of Wednesday, then we met her, Heather and Julianna for dinner. She then went to speed skating practice with them so she could see Ed and Eddie. When she came back here, she did our taxes for us!
Yesterday Heather came up and we went to the diner for breakfast and more visiting. All too soon, she had to head for the airport.
I'm down to the final room in my quest for taking my house back! The sewing room, which became a catchall room during the construction. This is the before picture.
I'm also making two afghans, which I haven't taken pix of yet. A sky afghan, and one in greens. And I've been on a reading kick.
So back to work in the sewing room for me!
Heather and Ed had their St Patrick's Day party yesterday, and it was fabulous!
St Patrick himself put in an appearance, complete with snake!
Everyone dressed in their green finery!
Even Honey got in on the action! It was a lovely party, about 30 people, lots of food!
Earlier in March, Jules turned 12! I can't believe it! It was kind of bittersweet, since she doesn't have her birthday buddy great-grandmom with us anymore.
We get new pix of Mocha frequently. Dan and Steph are quite smitten with her!
Goofy Sly- this craft holding footstool has been in the living room for over a year now. I moved it to in front of the chair, and he's right on it.
Manda went green! And Amary is just adorable!
Manda made the hoodie! She's so talented with her sewing!
Cheeseburger macaroni in the instant pot! It was really good!
I'm taking the house back, one room at a time. I'm so sick of clutter, and it's been worse since Mom died and I had half her house here, then renovating and everything in different rooms. Now, the kitchen is situated, the living room is decluttered, the dining room is almost done. As I'm putting things back into the bedroom, I'm taking a hard look at everything. We've taken several car loads to St Vincent dePaul, and will probably take several more. Calm and peaceful is my goal.
I'm crocheting a sky afghan, as per Crochet Crowd. I haven't been able to sew, as I can't get near the sewing machine yet. I'm working on the family room, then the laundry room, guest room, and the sewing room will be last. I'm keeping my eye on the prize!
It's a beautiful day, the sky is blue, and the wind has dropped.
