If You Say So....Luke 5:4-7 (NASB)

      It was mid-January 2025 and I had a bucket list item to "Go to a fancy dress up ball with a handsome man" but I would be able to check off the item with just "Go to a fancy dress ball." Daisy heard me mention this bucket list item and popped up with, "Why don't you go to the Art Deco Ball on Catalina with me and my dance group?" What....is...that...?! It's this! And this! Doesn't that look grand and fancy-dress-ball-bucket-list-check-off worthy?! I think so! I bought the 20's style dress, with matching feather and jewel head band right away as well as some proper dress shoes. My reasoning was that as I saw that beautiful dress hanging in the closet I would be motivated to go to dance classes which would allow me to actually dance - and sort of have fun doing it - while I looked ravishing in my gorgeous green and blue peacock sequined ball gown.      So, my next step was to start aforementioned dance lessons. I could only afford group ...

     It was Spring Break for Julia from Arcadia High School. I didn't plan any trips with her because I was working my regular job and subbing for a clinical job. I took her to Clocker's Corner at Santa Anita Race Track. We watched the horses at the end of their morning workout and had coffee, eggs and a muffin. We then went to the Arboretum across the street and enjoyed our walk amidst spring blooms everywhere. It was gorgeous!      Camille came into town the following day. We went wedding dress shopping with her and "oohhs" and "aahhs" were heard throughout the wedding dress shop as she tried on various dresses. The dress which won our hearts, however, was a $20 wedding dress which Daisy's boss had and was selling at a vintage clothing fair (the one at the top of this page). It needs some cleaning and alterations, but we loved the tasteful fairy princess vibe it gave off and Camille looked splendid in it.      We celebrated April birthdays ...

      This past Christmas was quite fabulous in many ways, starting with Christmas Eve. Tim and Josie (Tim's new wife) brought a new karaoke machine for the girls to sing along to. We played games, ate delicious food, laughed and had fun. The next day on Christmas other family came by as well as Josie and Tim. Fun was had by all and we ate heartily, laughed some more, gave gifts and celebrated being together for the holidays...mostly.      While in the kitchen Tim was helping me wash the dishes. We came close to each other in our movements around the kitchen and this ache of familiarity and comfort grabbed at me gently, strongly, so encompassing. How I missed my sweet ex-husband who, despite the grief and heartache of our marriage, had been my friend and companion for decades. In all the ugly, empty, heart-wrenching moments of my marriage, he always remained physically attractive to me.  Amidst the holiday celebrating, my heart ached in missing him. ...