Lately, I do not have any desire to write. Why? Probably the events in my life that bring me down and want to make me crawl in a hole. Don’t worry. I see the hole but have no intention of jumping in anytime soon.

I know that I have steered away from the military focus of this blog and I want to get back to writing about the people serving our country and the many charities and organizations that go out of their way to serve our bravest.

I am hoping to secure a position with one of our leading military insurance companies. It would be a wonderful way for me to get back in the workforce and do something else to give back to people who give to me and our country.

I want to begin participating in the Patriot Guard once again. Being a part of that organization grounds me and reminds me to think of others. I think everyone has times that they feel a little sorry for themselves. Running and standing with the Patriot Guard leaves no time for such feelings. That is as it should be.

I still continue to appreciate my friends and family who are always there and always give. I pray and give thanks for their generosity and support.

I pray for those that are having a hard time. I will always care. I hope for the best.

No, I will not let go of the hope because it lives in my heart.

Butterfly and I spent Friday night designing rooms. She found a cool website for girls where they can play games, design rooms, and shop for clothes. Here is a screen shot of the room we put together. I am sure you can figure out what area is mine and what area is hers. Now, Butterfly will guest post for the first time on my blog. Without further adieu, I give you Butterfly, my precious granddaughter.

I like to design rooms because it’s just so so so fun to make stuff and design stuff I can’t wait for you guys to see .  I  want to be a fashion  designer when I grow up. I want to be a fashion  designer and I want to go to Paris. I just can’t wait to grow up and become a fashion designer.

All I can say is, I will remember her when…and I really want to go to Paris.

I spent Easter with Cinderella’s extended family and friends this year. We made cookies and colored eggs.

Here is Butterfly and Cinderella busy decorating cookies.

 And the result of our labor. This was just a small portion of the cookies.

 The Easter Bunny definitely paid a visit.

 The joy of finding Easter eggs. Especially for the first time.

 Butterfly found a bucket full of eggs.

Here is a few of the family. Guess what? There is more.

Oh yes I did!

Lucie my big, red dog hopes you had a Happy Easter!

On Friday I went to spend time with my bestie, Lady Red and her husband Mr. P. The have a not so new member of their family. A chihuahua named Hadji. I just met him on Friday as did Lucie my big, red dog.

The two were a bit standoffish at first, but soon they were tearing up the yard and the house as well.

This is Hadji. Everybody together. Ahhhhhh!

Happy camper, Lucie

Tug-A-War anyone?

Play.

Play.

More play.

Good friends, good dogs = good times.

Pizza and a good glass of wine does not hurt either.

]]> http://lifeslikeaboxofchocolates.com/2012/04/01/sunday-brunch-making-new-friends/feed/ 0 http://lifeslikeaboxofchocolates.com/2012/03/23/the-boys/ http://lifeslikeaboxofchocolates.com/2012/03/23/the-boys/#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2012 23:50:52 +0000 juliannah http://lifeslikeaboxofchocolates.com/?p=2876

Since I am moving soon I went to visit my twin grandsons, Fuzzy and Wuzzy. They will turn three this summer. They are so smart. They already know numbers, the alphabet, and shapes. They even named a hexagon for me. Mathematicians or astronauts on the rise?

They were so personable and cried when I left. I still memorize what they are wearing so I can tell them apart. What can I say?

Here they are. Fuzzy and Wuzzy.

Can you tell them apart? Yea, me neither.

Here they are with me. Fuzzy on my left. Wuzzy on my right.

I have come to the conclusion that I no longer have eyes. These two little boys certainly do!

This marks the last week  I will reside in a town where I have lived for the last 28 years. I came with a whim and a prayer all those years ago. I packed up two small children, moved to an unfamiliar place, and soon was pregnant with another.

So young in those days. So innocent. I have no regrets. I raised three children. Thankfully, they are all well. I am proud.

I was a stay-at-home mom. I was a wife. I was a retail worker. I was a college graduate. I was alone at times.

I am now a few years from retirement. I still have a bit to go. So I must work.

Still, I do not regret my choices. I did not always make the right choices, but I did my best.

I love my family and friends. I am blessed with the best family and friends. I am moved by how they came through for me.

I wish some things were different.

They. Are. Not.

There is nothing more to say.

Yes, I am sure you are wondering about that title. I spoke with my son, Sgt. Honda early Sunday morning. Our time zones are so far apart that I usually hear from him at some ungodly hour. It is ok. I have not seen him in over a year so I welcome the communication. The not seeing him part sucks. I won’t lie. It is the way it is.

He has a new girlfriend and she is showing him around the country and introducing him to some local cuisine. They went whale watching the other day. I asked for photos and I just might receive some. Eventually. Anyway, he was impressed with the size of the whales and had a great time.

She took him to a restaurant where he experienced raw tuna, octopus, and wait for it, sea cucumber. Now it seems that sea cucumber is not a vegetable like you might think. No, it is actually a marine animal classified as an echinoderm. It has leathery skin with spines. Apparently it does not have much taste and is usually served in other dishes or with condiments.

Sgt. Honda said it was not bad. He is braver than me. I guess that explains how he survives the Marine Corps.

Here is a photo.

Yea, I am thinking the same thing.

I recently asked Sgt. Honda what he wears when driving the general. He told me that it depends on what event the general is attending. Apparently, if they are going to a military function then Sgt. Honda wears his Service “A” or Alpha uniform. I have only seen him in this uniform once. It was during his boot camp graduation. Unfortunately my computer acquired a virus and many of those photos were lost.

Here is an illustration of the Service “A” uniform.

When the general attends private social events, Sgt Honda dresses in a suit and tie. Here he is in front of the car that carries the general. Nice.

Yes the car is cool, but I prefer to see a fine young man dressed in suit any day.

Grandma M sees the chemo doctor or PA (Physician Assistant) every two weeks. A couple of weeks ago she saw the PA. I was not able to attend this meeting since I was at a job interview. I am quite sure the job will not work out considering I have not heard anything. I think my lack of experience in MS Excel might play a part in this. Oh, well.

Anyway, Grandma M told me that the PA called her Kiddo. I did not think much of it at the time. I just figured it was a term of endearment and you know she worked in a doctor office as a young woman and times were different then.

This Monday we saw the PA. I do believe he called her Kiddo about fifty times. If you think I am exaggerating go ahead and ask Grandma M. At one point I thought to myself if he calls her Kiddo one more time I might have to remove Grandma M from the office while I have a conversation with this guy.

It did not come to that. I controlled myself. I get he is part of the staff and meant no harm. But Holy Cow, she is Mrs. Grandma M. Not Kiddo. I will not even go into the ditzy lady in the check out area.

Outside of that, we are down to less than 2 1/2 weeks of radiation and 2 more chemo treatments. For some reason the chemo treatments seem to lesson in time. We were out on Monday in record time. Our nurse was funny this week as he caught us staring at the IV bag.

He said, “You know, a watched bag never empties.”

My reply, “Yea, we know.”

Onward  Kiddo.

Yesterday I went to a memorial service for a woman I met probably over twenty-five years ago. She is Lady Red’s grandma. She lived ninety-three years. She had children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Amazing.

What is more amazing is her life story. She had a hard childhood. She went on to marry a wonderful man and led a productive, decent life. She became a nurse and gave to others. She was always active and led a healthy life.

The pastor said that she did four things every day.

She read a verse from Proverbs to gain wisdom.

She ate oatmeal.

She ate grapefruit.

She walked her dog twice a day.

When I heard this I thought, “Well, at least I do one of those things, i.e. dog walking.”

Maybe this is the key to a long and prosperous life or maybe not. It does show discipline and faith. I like that. I am lucky to have met Lady Red’s family. I realized today that I never knew her grandma’s name. She was simply known as “Grams.”

Yesterday as I read her memory card I learned her name.

Rest peacefully Grams in heaven.