Potrait adventure

Due to an emergency on the part of the photographer, my portrait session was postponed until this past Wednesday. As it turned out, it was for the best [I really need to remember to trust]. Because of the delay, I was able top get to my hairdresser the day before and she trimmed my hair and added some more highlights.

I arrived for the session the next day feeling more confident. After having my makeup done, I felt like a queen. Leanna the photographer was very nice and put me at ease.

We headed out for the park. Luckily the rain had stopped the day before and we had a gorgeous day to work with [thank you, Team!].

When I first sat down for the first picture I knew John was with me. Right across from me under a tree was a memorial plaque that read

I Leave You This

-Love-

In Memory of

XXX

I knew then John was sending me love.

I got the raw proofs back last night and they are gorgeous. It was hard picking just one so I picked several. I figured, why not? I will always have them. But there was one that was perfect for the book. As soon as I get the final photos back I am ready to send the book to print.
I took a selfie with my professional makeup job so I might be able to duplicate it if I ever needed to. I probably can't but it will be fun trying.

My book

The final edits are completed.
So excited that my dear friend Susanne Wilson, the Carefree Medium, wrote a beautiful Foreword. I am so touched.
The cover is almost done.
Tuesday I am having my portrait taken and then it's ready to go to press.
Can't wait to have the finished product in my hand.
It should be ready for purchase by Valentine's Day - and I think that's very appropriate.
I hope John is as proud and happy to see this as much as I am.

Happy New Year, Sweetheart!

Thsi is the bear I bought for John for Christmas. He gives great cuddly hugs - almost as good as John did.

Merry Christmas, Sweetheart!

Missing you today. But I know you are here with me.
Loving you.

Christmas 1988

Remembering those who are no longer with us

As some of you may be aware, I am in business with two wonderful women. Together we have started a business to help those in grief, and specifically those who are mourning the loss of a soul mate. You can read about it here - www.fromgrieftopeace.org

Today Cathy blogged about a way to remember a loved one and I want to link to it. http://fromgrieftopeace.blogspot.com/ 

I love doing a special Christmas donation in John's memory. I have chosen the Arizona Humane Society and the Phoenix Rescue Mission as my personal favorites. They were ours when John was here and it makes me feel close to him to continue that in his memory. I no longer have him with me to dote on and to spend money on for a Christmas present so this is my way of doing that. I know it makes him happy too.

I don't do much to celebrate Christmas these days because without John it just isn't the same but this is one way I can transform my grief into a better day for someone else.

Big Mother

Came across this picture a couple of days ago. It's a 1939 Pontiac.

It's a beautiful car. John and I had our first date in a car like this. John nicknamed his car "Big Mother". I developed a love of antique cars from John. As long as I knew him, John always had a car he was working on - antique Mercedes, Austin Healys... To this day whenever I see a beautiful old car drive by I stop and look and admire and feel that I am sharing that moment with John.
We had many happy adventures in Big Mother and she always got us home.

Tired

The dryer broke yesterday.
Don't know what's wrong with it. Possibly the thermostat. Maybe something else.
All I know is it no longer heats up and for a dryer that makes it pretty much a useless piece of equipment. The repairman I was referred to won't be back in his office until 12/12. So, I will wash very few clothes in the next two weeks and use the hanging dryer in the bathtub when I need to.
It's not the end of the world but it's one more reminder that I am on my own.
If John were here he would have the problem solved one way or the other in no time.
Sometimes, I get so tired of being on my own, alone, without my best friend here to share life's ups and downs with.