Thank You

Thank you, my friends, for your comments, emails, messages, thoughts, and prayers. Please know that I read every single one of them...more than once. The love you showed me and my sweet momma helped me through the most difficult moments of my life. 

Even though I knew the day would come, I was not prepared for the grief and sadness of the final goodbye. My mom was the constant in my life. She was there for every single moment, the happiest days, the sad ones, the challenging ones, and the joyous ones too. She was always there for me, holding me up and cheering me on.

I am thankful to God that I could do the same for her. On her last day, my sister Margie and I held her hands, sang with her, and reminded her she was indeed the best mother ever. She was beautiful, peaceful, cozy, and warm. 

She is laid to rest now, next to my Dad, and I am sure she is rejoicing in heaven. She taught me many things, including finding joy and adventure in every experience. I kept a list of things she said these past few months that I wanted to remember. Margie and Mom called me every day after lunch. One day last summer, during one of those phone conversations, I said, "I don't know anything exciting! Sorry about that!" And Mom's response? "Well, just being together is great!" 

A new chapter in my life begins..one without my momma here. She is and will always be near, though. And I will try to live every day with the joy she brought me and so many others in my heart. Again, thank you. I appreciate everyone who took the time to reach out to me and my family. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. My mom sang all the time. One of her favorites is this one:

Row, row, row your boat

Gently down the stream.

Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily,

Life is but a dream.

Life is, indeed, but a dream.

Billie Jo

My Mom

My mother died today. The woman who literally gave me life and has stood beside me every day since then died today. I wanted you to know. Her name was Margaret Joan Kinsler Grimone. And she was my mom.

My mother was born on a late January day in 1937. She had an older sister and two younger brothers who she loved very much. She loved her parents and grandparents, too. She told us stories about their trips to the lake, walks down the street to Grandma Grace's house, and how Pals taught her to tie her shoes.

In high school, she played the bells in the band while her brother Tim marched with the drums. She was also a majorette and loved to show us how she could still twirl her baton. She went to dances in beautiful dresses and cheered for her younger brother Jim at his basketball games. She also kept her eye on a classmate with jet-black hair and a handsome grin.

She married that classmate, my father Bill, and together, they created a wonderful life with their five daughters in the white house on the corner that Mom absolutely loved. She put a beautiful tree in the front window and tall, sparkly candles on the radiator boards every Christmas. She drank coffee with Dad in the morning and drove us to school in her pajamas. She drove us in her red jeep to the lake with an eight-track tape called High Energy playing while she sang along. She said raising her girls was the most wonderful time of her life.

My mom had the most beautiful red hair and the most perfect smile. She loved the color green and hot fudge sundaes after dinner. Mom could turn a frozen turkey into Thanksgiving Dinner faster than anyone I know. When I was in college, my mom sent a homemade apple pie back to school with me on Sundays. Mom loved to sing and make people happy. She was a selfless caregiver to us all and was the best grandma ever. She told countless stories about her friend the bear and made the best bubble baths ever. When I tried, my kids were sure to tell me that Grandma's bubbles were way higher.

My mom was the best person I will ever know. I cannot imagine my life without her. As much as I want to keep her here forever, I love her too much for that. She has so many people waiting to welcome her home. Mom always told us that when you do something good for someone, you get another star for your heavenly crown. I can only imagine how brilliantly my mother's crown is shining now.

After today, the world will continue as usual. People will go to work and school, go shopping, cook dinner, and do laundry, unaware that my beautiful, amazing mother died today. But I wanted you to know. I wanted you to know that my mom is in heaven now. And I bet she sang the whole way there. Right now, I can hear her singing one of her favorites, reminding us that Life is but a dream.

They are together again.

Billie Jo

Caption This

Happy Wednesday!

Billie Jo

Monday Morning Coffee

Good Monday morning, my friends. I hope you had a lovely January weekend and are ready for a brand-new week. 

I was up earlier than usual today. Random fact about me: I cannot be awake in bed. When I wake up, I'm up. Today, I was up and cozy on the couch with my coffee before the sun woke. It was quiet and comfy. I sipped my hot coffee, said my prayers, and read the news. Just a bit because while I think it is the responsible adult thing to be familiar with current events, I also know too much of the negative is too much for me. So there's that. 

I went through some pictures from the weekend and this is what I found. Peyton and Christopher had fun sledding and skiing this weekend. I am so happy for the outdoorsy people. Last winter, they could not do all the snow stuff because there was no snow!

Rhett and Kyrstin shared this picture from their date night last week. My boy looks so grown up all of a sudden. Wasn't he just watching movies on a portable DVD player and riding his Green Machine up and down the driveway? 

All three pups had a trip to the Puppy Spa last week. We don't say Groomer because Spa sounds less traumatic for them...and they all came out fresh and clean with glowing reports!

Perhaps the most exciting and happy thing that happened was this!

Nicolas' father, Peter, came for a visit! Nicolas is from the beautiful country of Denmark, and his father was in the States on business, so they worked out some flights, and Peter was able to spend some time visiting. I was so happy for them both and for Madison as well. We all went to dinner Saturday night and had the most wonderful time.

Today, we will homeschool, light candles, fix a cozy dinner, and sip coffee and tea. We will make beds, fold laundry, and call loved ones. We will wipe kitchen counters, turn off the lights, and settle down together for an episode or two of Seinfeld. It will be a typical, beautiful January day. Enjoy your January day, my friends!

Billie Jo

Google for the cozy.

 

Snow On The Beach And Other Stuff

Good Friday morning, friends. So, it's cold and snowy. The wintry weather appears to have followed us down from Pennsylvania because it knows how much I miss it. How considerate, considering it has been years since this area has seen measurable snow. That and the lack of snow shovels and plow trucks. While the roads are icy and the air is cold, the beach sure is beautiful. Rhett and Kyrstin sent us these pictures, and I applaud them for braving the frigid air and sharing their beauty with us.

Meanwhile, this week was back to homeschooling for my student and me. Flynn and I are currently studying Emily Dickinson's poetry, algebric equations and expressions, World and American history during the 1800's, cell division, and the works of William Shakespeare. We enjoy our time together, and her love of science balances my love of literature. We get extra students casually joining us occasionally, especially Flynn's dog, Marty. Who sometimes reminds me of Fozzie Bear.

Between homeschooling and fixing dinner, you can find me with my afternoon coffee and a few of my friends.

( Note the classy black sweatpants, oversized crewneck, and Halloween socks. I make it a point to put myself together every day, regardless of my plans. Clearly, this day was a smashing success. )

A favorite meal this week was ground Beef and Rice Tacos. They came together quickly and were so good. Just brown some ground beef, drain it, and add taco seasoning and salsa. Make some rice—get a rice cooker if you don't already have one—and then add any toppings you want. Cilantro and lime are my favorites. 

We are expecting more snow this weekend. On Saturday night, we plan on going to mass and dinner out, and on Sunday, we will spend the day cozy inside. I will be praying for all those affected by the horrible wildfires, the victims of the recent hurricanes, and any homeless people during this frigid time of year. 

Have a cozy weekend, my friends. Thank you for visiting.

Billie Jo

Inside And Outside

 INSIDE

OUTSIDE

Guess where I will be!

Stay safe, warm, and cozy, my friends.

Billie Jo