“My cousins on a pony.”

One of the seven deadly sins…envy. These are my cousins. I found these pictures in a box of papers I’m sorting through. These two had it all…every opportunity possible. I was so jealous. I got their hand me down clothes. I got their hand me down toys. Their mom was WAY cooler than mine, I thought at the time. And when it comes right down to it, I’m just as successful, just as happy as they’ve ever been. Maybe more so, who knows?

Dancing. The only time we dance…ever. He lasted half a song. lol

“Our Only Dance”

Sassy after shot.

“Sweet Mr. Virgo and Me”

“My Christmas Stocking.”

Awwwwww…..going through stuff and came across my brother’s and my Christmas stockings when we were little kids. So, so sweet. Man, it’s hard to be ruthless.

“Attitude Adjustment”

I had a rough week. Between negotiating items on the inspection that need addressing to two crowns and new glasses, I was feeling at my wits’ end. I was allowing the emotion of the situation to sit in the driver’s seat and when that happens, it’s easy to miss a curve and head for the rocks.

I was feeling taken advantage of in these negotiations. I was upset because I was projecting onto the buyers my own desire to be treated kindly because I am a widow. I am a woman. And I am doing this all on my own. I mean, can’t they see this is hard for me? They should be nice. Then I realized, this is business. This has nothing to do with me. They are driving a hard bargain. They are asking for the moon, hoping I’ll hand it to them on a silver platter. I’m not giving up and I’m not giving in. I’ve just had enough of the haggling…it is what it is…take it or leave it.

“What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger…”

Yesterday I hit the ground running and stopped at 10pm. First there were two loads to the church for the rummage sale. Then the mover came for an estimate. Bare minimum stuff…boxes and 2-3 pieces of furniture was $3000. Nope, not happening. I can buy a lot of antiques at auctions for three grand. Ordered the replacement windows…all 22 of them! Feeling mighty grateful for the unlimited, full lifetime warranty on Milgard windows right about now!!! Talked with the building department for the area to discuss codes regarding some of the items on the home inspection. Went to my brother’s six month eval at 4. Stopped at the store, caught up with friends, and called it a day! Feeling much more empowered! I can DO this! <3

“Fall is coming to Colorado!”

Looking like FALL in Colorado! It rained most of the night and we should get thunderstorms here in a bit. I’m sorting, sorting, sorting today. Good day to be in the garage!

“Happy Days”

I feel like I’ve been put through a wringer washer backwards. My world, my life was so perfect. I had what every girl dreamed of. Beautiful kids, sweet little grand daughters to love on, a darling house in the country, a dream job, great friends. And a handsome man to share it all with. I had it all. And in the blink of an eye, it all changed. I still have beautiful kids. I still have sweet little grand daughters. I have great friends. My dream job is over…at least that one is. My darling little house is an albatross I’m trying to get done with. And my handsome man is the memory that keeps me warm at night.

“Ahhhhh….Patience”

A virtue in limited supply in my life. I’m a flexible person. I can change direction on a dime and be good with it. But when I want something done, I want it now. On my time. Under my terms. And that’s not the way it works. There are always mitigating factors. And I find when I pray to God and ask him for patience, he gives me all kinds of opportunities to practice it. I quit doing that YEARS ago! lol

“Being someone’s first love may be great, bot to be their last is beyond perfect.”

People have asked me if I’m worried about Mr. Virgo’s grave being here and me being in West Virginia. I’m really not. I have a lock of his hair and I’m going to find a special place on the farm to bury it in my own private ceremony. I’ll place a marker of some sort and I can go there to talk to him. But, in all honesty, he’s not at either place. He’s in Heaven. And he’s in the hearts of those who knew and loved him and remember him. He is always with me, even though I no longer feel his presence like I did in the months after he died.

“TOW-Wanda at Chapman Dam”

I’m heading into the home stretch and this will be the hardest part…whittling things down to what little I can pack in the car and the camper. I can ship things like clothes. There are big ticket items that eat up a lot of precious cargo room like the 4 studded snow tires for the Ford. Those can go in one of the bunk beds in the trailer. Pictures are the biggest space eaters. I wish I would have scanned them years ago. Ah…if wishes were horses, right? Books…I already cut down so many. I’ll need to whittle some more. There’s a library not too far from the farm and there’s Kindle. I can get anything I need in WV. My desktop computer goes with me. Along with two laptops and cameras. I have some art that I want to take but I’m going to have them packed professionally. Maybe I’ll call a mover just to get an estimate for how much they would charge to pack and ship those things I do want to take. I don’t want to weigh down the trailer and the car to an unsafe degree. Decisions, decisions…I’ll be so happy when I’m done and settled. Until then, one foot in front of the other. So many changes in such a short time.