We will NEVER forget 10 years ago today

We all remember where we were at that moment, at that time.

If you ask me what I did on Thursday last week, I can't even tell you.

But I can tell you precisely everything about that morning on September 11th.

I was just pulling into work and had the radio on. They broke in with an announcement about a plane hitting the World Trade Center. I assumed it was just a little plane and this was probably no big deal. The news media tends to exaggerate everything and blow it out of proportion. I casually mentioned the plane crash as I walked by the receptionist.



So I turned on the radio again when I sat down at my desk and that's when I knew that this was something different.

By then we were all on our way to a conference room to watch TV. We just had to see what was going on. I remember sitting there with my coworkers, shocked as we watched all the events of that day. For the rest of the day, it was difficult to accomplish anything.



This has been the biggest national tragedy that I have experienced in my life. I pray that we never have to witness this ever again. It's so sad how the world has turned to so much violence and hate.

We will never forget all the innocent lives that were lost that day. We will never forget the many stories of people who stepped up and spent their final moments being a hero. And we will never forget how it changed our own sense of security.

We will never forget..............

When wasted time isn't really wasted

Yesterday I worked my butt off trying to make a dent in things.

Last night I did take a moment and "waste a little time".

First time - spent an hour a couple of houses down talking to my long-lost "sister". I should say "crying" with my long-lost "sister". We were talking about our dogs who we missed so much. Hers almost a year ago.....mine 4 days ago.

She knows exactly how I feel.....Toby went with me every time I went down to visit her.

So after a good cleansing cry.....it was time to visit with my younger child.

He came by and we spent about an hour on the porch discussing his life, his church, and the funny things we both remember. However, the one subject that he did not want to talk about was the little dog we were both missing.

I have to say it was so enjoyable and relaxing talking with your child as an adult. I really love my kids and we have so many memories that are fun to talk about.

So every once in awhile it's a good thing to just stop, talk, and reminisce.

Thank you Aaron and Terry. I really enjoyed the time that I spent with you tonight.

Amazing thing to see your little boy turn into a man.



Even though he won't ever look at the camera and give me a good picture!

Wordless Wednesday: Gainor Spaghetti Night

Saying goodbye to our little buddy

For 12 years this house has had a dog living in it

Today will be the first day that isn't true



He was 1 year old when we found him at Pet Smart waiting to be adopted. He had only been at the shelter for 3 days when we found him. We saw him in the cage and knew that this was the dog for us.

We brought him home and he was instantly a member of this house. He followed us everywhere and we tried to include him and take him with us every chance we could get. He loved walks and loved leaving the house and "going for a ride". Didn't matter if it was just around the block -- he was so excited to go.



We didn't even need to keep him on a leash anymore either. He just followed us around like he knew he belong to us. He did and we belonged to him.

But the signs of him aging were beginning to show on him, but yet he still would look at you with those little crooked teeth, that little tongue sticking out, and wagging his tail. But this morning we could tell it was something different and that maybe it was time to let you go. I knew that this day was coming, but oh how I did not want it to ever come.



No other dog could have ever had as much attention, as much love, and been more part of a family than Toby. And while everyone in this family will miss you -- I have to honestly say that I will miss you the most.



You were my car buddy, you were with me every moment I was home, my constant companion. The way you would look at me when I'd get my shoes -- melted my heart. I found myself apologizing to you that I was leaving and I always promised to be back soon. Your excitement at seeing me everytime I walked in the door I will miss more than anything. I too will always be looking for you at the door when I get home each time, but sadly won't see you there.



So as time goes on this pain of losing you will slowly ease, but the memory of you will never leave us.



We love you Toby Gainor and will miss you being part of our family!

Attention Naysayers: we proved you wrong

15 years ago today two people connected in an internet chat room.

It started out with chatting, moved to phone calls, the exchanging of pictures, and then finally the live visits.

The majority of the people that knew about this kept saying "don't do it", "you're crazy", and "what are you thinking".

But in my heart.......I knew it was the right thing and that he was the right person.

So on this anniversary of meeting 15 years later, there is only one thing left to tell all those naysayers out there: CHEERS -- we proved you wrong!



We're glad we didn't listen to them!

Climbing Mount Everest

All that stands between me and my new gym......is this mountain of paperwork and boxes.



So today I will tackle this mountain and I will triumph

Luckily most of this job requires me to sit on my butt all day and sort papers and file them away neatly

The reward at the end of the day: I will be able to cross from one side of this room to the other -- and not have to detour around Mt. Everest!

And.....when I grow weary of this task -- I have 14 others that I can choose from that need to get done this weekend. Yippee!

Sometimes technology isn't the answer

Isn't it totally amazing the weatlth of information and "stuff" the internet has to offer?

You can stay connected, conduct business, keep in touch with your customers and old friends, do research, or even meet a husband (lol)!

We are in the process of changing our lives. We are undergoing a renovation to our old office and converting it to a gym (starting to look good!) and we're changing our diet and lifestyle.

This week we are researching what to eat that will keep us both happy. And while the internet is a great place to do research -- there is still nothing like a good old book to hold in your hand and immerse yourself within the pages. Do you know what I mean?



Here's what I'll be reading this weekend.