Gabzmom

I usually get a deli roast chicken once a week. We don't eat much of it the first night, so I will shred it after dinner and set aside to make with chicken salad or a delicious tortilla soup for the next day. I have purchased frozen salmon fillets, salmon burgers at Costco and throw those on a grill or in the oven. Side dishes are usually roasted brussel sprouts, asparagus, etc. I have cooked up brown rice in a rice cooker and then formed cup-sized rice balls and frozen them individually in plastic wrap or wax paper. I thaw it out a little as I need, then heat up on a plate or in a bowl in the microwave for quick rice. My biggest problem is the amount of food we have when I cook so I try to think of ways to freeze what I prepare into smaller portions that can be pulled out in the evening. Lately, it's been a lot of eating on the run with G's activities.

Interestingly enough, the songs have taken on new meaning for me as well. I saw them in Tacoma in November. I so wished they were in a better venue - the T-Dome has horrific acoustics. Great picture!

Ah, attraction. What is it exactly that attracts us to another human being? I can admire physical beauty by whatever standard I have created in my mind. But my type? Looking back I don't necessarily think I had a type. I was drawn to fair-haired men but those relationships typically turned into friendships. I found that many of the men, including my husband, whom I developed serious relationships with were usually tall with thinning hairlines. My husband was the shortest at 5'11" and the tallest was about 6'2"-ish? Me, I am not as tall as I think I am - I tend to forget that I am actually short at 4'11. I just think tall. ;D I am a sucker for highly intelligent, well-read men with a quick sense of humor - not necessarily silly humor but more a dry (sometimes sarcastic) quick wit. I always appreciated how my husband could quickly pick up on nuances within a situation and make me laugh with some snappy comment. The best thing about him was his caring heart - he loved little kids and babies. I loved the way he loved me and accepted the person I am. I am high rev, busy, driven, always passionate about something, and sometimes neurotic, yet he calmed me like no one else could. If we were with family or at some other social setting, he could look at me and he seemed to know when I was a little unsettled - then, he would smile and give me a wink. Somehow, it gave me reassurance to simply center myself and enjoy the situation. Currently, I am seeing a gentleman I never thought would be my type. Maybe an associate in a business, networking, or community setting - but never someone I would have a personal relationship with - he's teaches at the UW, 5'8", has a little girth to him, and has hair! He's centered, laid back, makes me laugh, and likes me for who I am and knows that I am actually a package deal with a 16 year old girl who adored her daddy. She's met him and she likes him. Playing it by ear and seeing where this will take me. Sorry to ramble.

Thanks, Rob. It warmed my heart. And it caused me to shed a tear or two...

Getting excited. I will be hopping the subway from Midtown or who knows where my travel partners (BFF and DD) will want to be in the morning. Regardless, I am game for anything!

Well - I am gone - dead and gone! I so want anyone to win but Kentucky? BUT?my women's bracket is doing well. I have Notre Dame in there and my other pic is UConn?

Sending hugs. Maureen, I love your pictures - they are beautiful. Peace...

I went back to work two weeks after DH passed. I had to escape the house and the only way I knew how was to work. He died right before the 4th of July, which is my favorite holiday. Later in the year, my daughter and I flew to Tampa to see my in-laws. It was a great trip and somewhat healing for me to see the places that were part of him when he was a teen. My daughter was very quiet and I don't know how she responded. In 2013, we took short trips. we did take a trip again in Spring of 2014 to Florida and stayed in St. Pete. She had a blast with her friend. I then took a trip to NY last fall. This Spring, she and I are going to NYC again.

I don't find it odd at all. Some people escape to family, others throw themselves in their work, and others have to leave. It's so understandable to need the time, the space to put some of your pieces back together and to get a small bit of clarity. Hugs to you.

I think if people have friends or SOs they want to bring, they should bring them.

By daughter was a young teen when she lost her dad. She has had some struggles and I think part/most are attributable to her grief and the rest being a teen trying to move towards independence and adulthood. She is 16 and there have been hard lessons with many more to follow I am sure. RIght now she is doing alright. I wish I could offer you more than hugs. The main thing I have done is hold her accountable to her commitments and to honor her truths. Aside from that, we are still learning as we go.

I shut down a profile in a matter of days when I got smiles, etc. from some strangely named profiles. 1. Steele Libido 2. Major Orgasm 3. I can hardly remember - but it was something like: blanketyblank-inya # 3 was the final straw and I shut it down big time. I paid for eHarmony afterward and I actually went on a couple of dates with some nice men. I was never a big dater and shut that down eventually as well.

When my husband was in the hospital, I tried very hard to keep his family in the loop. His middle brother (Rob was the youngest) tends to want to boss everyone around and take over things. I contacted him when it came time to let him go. I explained that he was brain dead, that he had a medical directive, and that his organs were shutting down. At that point, he said, "You are in essence, having to make these decisions for Rob and really only carrying out his wishes." He was the point person and made sure his brother and parents were aware. As far as the arrangements, Rob's dad wanted to write the obituary and to do the eulogy. He's a writer and beautiful speaker. Rob and I had snippets of conversation on what he would want in the event he preceded me. I made damn sure he got everything he would have wanted and I created the program to honor him. I wanted to make sure he had the best damn funeral - come hell or high water. The 7th graders from the school were his choir - they were classmates of my daughter's. His brother sang a couple of selections. The readings included a young lector he enjoyed - another classmate of my daughter's. Both he and my daughter were lectors at our church. He had a military burial and I had Irish bagpipers at the graveside along with scores of Patriot Guard. The one thing my in-laws did not want was a viewing. I decided at the last minute to have a viewing during the rosary the day before the funeral. I decided that both my daughter and I needed to have closure and the ability to say our final good-bye. My in-laws were shocked and I think initially upset. However, they spent a lot of time with him and later told me they appreciated my decision because it also gave them closure. I had many struggles with my middle brother-in-law during the time and finally, at one point, addressed him and told him how it was going to be. To ensure transparency, I CC'd his parents and brother. They have an estranged sister and I did choose to include her name in the program and local obituary. I had no way to locate her and was not able to notify her of Rob's passing. The middle brother helped his dad post an obituary in their city paper and in the paper of the town he grew up in. Interestingly enough, they chose to omit her name. That was a big to do a couple of months later when she surfaced and she was quite angry. I sent her his obituary and program from here. In short - and I am sorry that my response is sooooo long - I kept my husband and my daughter first and foremost at the front of the arrangements. It was for him after all. I hope you are able to withstand pressure from her and do what you feel is right for you and your husband and your kids (not sure if you have children).

Everyone has suggested great options. I like scarves and tend to throw one on with a dress as a wrap, or knotted with a pair of slacks or jeans. I am a shoe freak and the shoes/heels/boots seem to dress up the jeans. Have fun!

Huge hugs, SVS...

I have Prime so I will have to check it out.

My engagement and wedding ring were one ring. I finally took it off last December and misplaced it - it's here in the house somewhere. i have no idea where it is. I still wear an anniversary ring he gave me. Not often because I need to make sure the emerald is set. It actually looks like an engagement ring. I love all the emeralds he gave me - they are his birthstone and he is Irish.

Mine is not so clever either. I have used this username for years. I am Gab's mom.

I cannot summon words to bring you comfort. None. Your words brought me to tears and I thank you. For the last 33 months, I've atuffed my feelings back into my chest - survival, you see. To get through the days - to get my girl through her days. I thank you for your words of permission to feel sadness and irrepressible love. Sadness for you, for our fellow wids, and finally for me. I wish you peace and I wish you so much love...

I agree. The second year seemed to be harder for me. I became acutely aware of the finality of it all during the second year. I at nearly 33 months.

Picks are done. I probably should get back to work. LOL :

I had saved this from somewhere and pasted it into my journal. Thank you for sharing.

Noooo! Not Kansas!

Mango, I loved little Italy! Looks like a cool place!

WTH? How does that happen?