I gave my first PC to my Aunt Bobbie when I decided to upgrade. She was ecstatic. The first…and only lesson didn’t go so well, panic set in when I mentioned a mouse. Once she was brave enough to touch and click it, she was done for the day. She squealed in delight as she created movement on the little computer T.V. (a.k.a. monitor) and was now a self proclaimed computer genius. There may or may not have been a few issues that followed.
“Heidi, you know that ding sound the computer makes?”
“Uh-huh”
“Mines not dinging.”
After a little troubleshooting via the phone, I replied…
“Maybe what you’re doing isn’t dingable.”
“Oh it’s dingable” she assured me.
“Okaayyy…your volume is up, right?”
“Yeah, should I plug the speakers back in?”
In my most composed, computer literate voice, I gently said,
“Aunt Bobbie, I’m afraid you need professional help.”
She advised me a few days later she had signed up for real computer classes. Whether she quit them or was kicked out…I don’t know, but the mouse, the little computer T.V., and the speakers remained untouched thereafter. It was then she informed me she didn’t need a computer…

I could just read her everything.

From the very first entry until the day she died, my Aunt Bobbie was the biggest fan of this website. She loved to hear my stories, she loved me to read her my poems. She literally cherished everything I wrote. Her enthusiasm, encouragement and persistence motivated me…to be a better person…to embrace what I had, accept what I didn’t. She helped me find the humor in situations I didn’t think I could get through. “Write through it, I’ll call you tomorrow so you can read it to me.” Embarrassing moments …funny moments…”Write about it…I’ll call you tomorrow so you can read it to me.” Without fail, she would call. She shared my laughter, she shared my pain. She got it…she got me, she was my biggest fan.

I had shared with her an incident a few weeks prior to her death, she could not wait for me to write about it…for me to read it to her. Almost 2 years ago to the minute, I lay in bed realizing I had not yet read it to her. I printed a copy and headed to the hospital. With a cousin sleeping on the couch and her peacefully resting in her bed, I quietly read what would be the last of many stories she had encouraged me to write, I Slept With My Sugar Daddy. (I did inform her of the risk I was taking, “this has to be quiet and fast or they will admit ME as a 5150″)

She died a few hours later.
So did a part of me.
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about her, that I don’t miss her. She inspired me, she motivated me, she believed in me.
She was my biggest fan.

Address In The Stars
I stumbled across your picture today
I could barely breath
The moment stopped me cold,
Grabbed me like a thief.
I dialed your number, but you wouldn’t be there
I knew the whole time, but it’s still not fair
I just wanted to hear your voice,
I just needed to hear your voice.

What do I do with all I need to say
So much I wanna tell you everyday
Oh it breaks my heart,
I cry these tears in the dark
I write these letters to you,
But they get lost in the blue,
‘Cause there’s no address in the stars.

Now I’m drivin’
Through the pitch black dark
I’m screaming at the sky
Oh cause it hurts so bad
Everybody tells me
Oh all I need is time
Then the mornin’ rolls in
And it hits me again
And that ain’t nothin’ but a lie.

What do I do with all I need to say
So much I wanna tell you everyday
Oh it breaks my heart,
I cry these tears in the dark
I write these letters to you,
But they get lost in the blue,
‘Cause there’s no address in the stars.

Without you here with me,
I don’t know what to do.
I’d give anything
Just to talk to you
Oh it breaks my heart,
Oh it breaks my heart,
All I can do
Is write these letters to you,
But there’s no address in the stars.

I love you!!

Meet Benjamin, my God-Lamb.
I met him online and fell in love. Smitten, I am!

These past few months have been hell…life altering. It’s sad that it often takes tragedy to make you stop, think and put life back in perspective.

Sunday I had the pleasure of meeting Benji face to face, it was just what the doctor ordered. True story.

Rejected by his mom, Benji has been bottle fed and cared for by his owners, he could not be in better hands. (maybe except MINE of course!) I fed him, he kissed me. He won my heart, I won his trust. He was just as content to lay there as I was to hold him. Baaaa…

Just going to put it out there and say Benji is the smartest lamb ever. I know…I sound like the typical Godmother bragging about their God lamb, but he really is. He not only brings a smile to everyone and every heart he touches… he ‘smiles’ too. (note the 3rd row of pictures!) “Smile Benji” As much as he enjoys his picture taken, he likes to see it as well! Does your God lamb dance? Mine does. “Dancing lamb” (you DO see the picture in the last row, right?) He believes he is human and I do have to say, his comprehension of our vocabulary is higher than some humans I’ve met! Kidding…kinda.

Benji is different, he is special. As I said goodbye to him and his wonderful parents I told them he has a purpose, he is who he is for a reason. Whether it is one…or many, Benji is going to make a difference in someones life. I’m convinced. They already knew this, I’m sure.

On the way home, I was reflecting on the events of the past few months…of what had happened earlier that same morning. There has been so much heartache, grief and pain, for myself and for those close to me. As I went to put my hair up, I felt the now stiff (lamb saliva, yum!) pieces of hair Benji had tried to munch on. It made me smile. I felt that same sense of peace I had felt as he cuddled in my arms. I realized I was right, Benji was special…he was going to make a difference in someones life, he already had…mine.

God Lamb…you melt my heart!
(pictures are clickable for larger view)

…
 

I know…how lucky am I?

I loved Judy Blume growing up. This was the first of her collection I read and I find myself referring to this title more than ever lately.  I wish there was one called, “Does It Ever Stop?”

I love blogging…I love writing, I really do…but it has really taken a backseat in my life lately.

Tough times my friends, tough times.

We buried my brother 3 days ago, he had been missing for 13 days. Horrific circumstances and a lot to process.

I will share more soon.

This is simply amazing. It tugs at my heartstrings in so many ways. My love for the ocean, my love for sea life, my once in a life time experience with both mentioned.
It will put a smile on your face.
I promise.

So PROUD to announce Rocky & Rosie finished in 2nd place with 697 votes!!! They will receive a 16″x20″ mounted, textured, retouched, and lacquered wedding portrait from Imagery Concepts Photography. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!!

My son’s wedding picture is in a contest. They have been in 1st place until this morning. A very good friend posted this on FB and asks in return that I share it with others! One VOTE can make a difference…it could be yours!

***Contest expires tonight at midnight and they’ve fallen to second place! We need 100+ votes ASAP! If you haven’t already will you vote JUST ONCE and SHARE this post?*** If you read this heartwarming story, you’ll FEEL GREAT to help!!! xoxo-Di

CAN I BUG YOU??? I need a favor. Not for me. For someone else. A “Pay it Forward” kinda thing. (One of my favorite movies of all time, BTW.) This favor won’t cost you one penny. You only need to do it ONCE. It will take literally one minute of your time. We’ve all got one minute for a RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS, right?

My friend, Heidi Ward-Mitchell’s son was diagnosed in 2006 with two types of testicular cancer, both rare, both aggressive. He’s been through so much and so has Heidi, as his mother. The GOOD NEWS is in October of 2008 he was reunited with his high-school sweetheart via Facebook. She stood by him during some really tough times and has helped him feel “whole” again. Loved again. Wanted. Worthy.

They were just married in November 2011. The link here is to a photo of their wedding and a CONTEST they’re in to get their wedding photos FOR FREE. THESE TWO DESERVE A GOOD TURN, A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS… will you help?

You ONLY have to “Like” this ONCE. ONCE. Then I’ll NEVER EVER bug you again (about this – tee hee.)
They’re currently in SECOND PLACE. We need YOUR HELP to get them up by about 140 votes – ASAP. PLEASE… please please please… will you? Just ONCE! This will mean the world to them… and we need EACH and EVERY one of you. The contest ENDS January 15th!

Thank you for making a difference… giving a wonderful gift… to a young couple that deserves it. ♥ Blessings to you for helping! ♥

(click on image and “LIKE”)

Thank you!!!!

Have you ever felt pain you couldn’t get past
Have you ever wondered how long it will last

Have you ever taken more then you give
Have you ever questioned wanting to live

Have you ever known a love to be true
Have you ever hurt someone close to you

Have you ever failed knowing you tried
Have you ever counted the tears that you’ve cried

Have you ever felt alone and betrayed
Have you ever regretted choices you’ve made

Have you ever just wished that time would stand still
Have you ever found words to express how you feel

Have you ever cried in the cold, dark night
Have you ever looked fear right in the eye

Have you ever walked alone in the sand
Have you ever felt pain you didn’t understand

Have you ever felt you have reached the end
Have you ever mistaken someone for a friend

Have you ever felt you just didn’t belong
Have you ever found comfort in words from a song

Have you ever wondered how your life would be…
if you had all the answers
to set you free

Have you…

A small video I did of our my son and daughter in laws big day. You can feel the love between these two and it absolutely makes my heart melt to see them so happy. They married 10 days after my son celebrated his 5 year anniversary of being cancer free. It would be an understatement to say we had much to be thankful for this year!!!
(someone get me another tissue please!!)

I know!!

They were high school sweethearts…

Reunited on Facebook after 8 years…

They soon became engaged…

A couple years later, they were able to finally set a date…

Yesterday, they said “I Do”…

…and will live happily ever after.
Congratulations to my son and his beautiful bride…my daughter in law!
I ♥ you both!!!