The Blizzard of 2009

I don't really call this a blizzard, but it is definitely the most snow that we have seen in these parts in several years. The snow was beautiful and is still lingering. I hope to get a few more photos before it melts to share with you all. Until then, here are a few.

Quote of the Week

"The life of every man is a diary in which he means to write one story, and writes another; and his humblest hour is when he compares the volume as it is with what he vowed to make it." ~ John M. Barrie, The Little Minister

Sorry for missing all your lovely comments on my blog. We were caught in the terrible snow that east Virginia. Our office closed early on Friday and it's a good thing we did. I live only five minutes from work, so I was fine driving home. However, the other two ladies ended up walking part of the way. Keith and I stayed put Friday night, but woke up in the middle of the night with no electricity. We don't have back up heat, but stayed warm under the blankets anyway. So, we decided to wait till the morning to figure out what to do.

Saturday morning found us driving to Keith's parents with Sable and Precious in tow. We were there until Sunday when out power was cut back on. Thankfully, we were not without long. There are many still without and are not expected to get theirs back on until Friday. I am sure Christmas will be difficult with no electricity.

Keith and I were supposed to finish shopping this weekend, but that simply didn't happen. I managed to order a few things of online last night with guaranteed Christmas delivery. My fingers are crossed the stuff arrives. Keith and I are going to try to pick up a few things this evening here in town and he can finish up Wednesday evening when he's already near the mall.

I have a few photos that I managed to take through the moving car on our way to safety and warmth that I will share as soon as I can. The snow is beautiful and I hope to have the opportunity to wander out with my camera before it melts. The roads are going to have to be a bit safer first. I didn't even drive myself to work this morning, so I'm sure it's not a good idea to wander around back roads with my camera.

Friday Shootout: Dressed for Christmas

I have been so overwhelmed that I haven't even gotten my own tree up yet, but I still found others decorations to share.

This is my mother-in-law's tree.

What tree would be complete without a cat?

Here are a few images from Bristol's Speedway in Lights last year. We haven't had the opportunity to go yet this year, but are planning for the Saturday after Christmas.

The following photographs feature my grandparents' tree. They love decorating for the holidays.

I enjoyed their lights Wednesday night as we gathered to make candy. My own personal favorite part of the holiday.

An End to Another Chapter

I am excited to say that I am officially finished with college. After a hectic week of final exams and essays, all my work for the semester is complete. I've received the grades for almost all of my classes, but I'm certain I did well in the last one. After all of my hard work, I think I deserve a party or at least acknowledgement. I have been blessed with many congratulations via Facebook, but my family has kind of blown it off. I must admit that I'm kind of hurt. I have explained repeatedly, "No, I'm completely finished. I'm graduating ODU." Yet, they don't seem to understand or to care.

My graduation ceremony is next Monday night and I have decided not to attend. Keith said that there would be no way for him to attend due to his crazy Christmas week schedule and I didn't even bother asking anyone else. It's okay though. I'm proud of myself and that's what matters. I have worked hard and accomplished a big goal in hard circumstances. I am a proud Communications graduate from Old Dominion University and I feel like now is when life is going to get interesting.

Friday Shoot Out: Weather

My weather post is lacking as I planned to go out last night and get some photos of the after effects of the strong winds and rains we got this week. However, as from my last post, you can all see I got derailed with bad news. Here are the few I got of our first snow and a link to my Facebook album of our trip to Pigeon Forge as I've not had time to post any directly here. Hope you all enjoy and have a wonderful week!

Here is my link to Facebook, so you can view the images from the trip.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=178101&id=514499767&l=ee0998e5df

In Memory of Shirley

There are people our lives that come and go quickly, but leave their marks forever on our hearts.

I logged onto Facebook this morning to see an update from a friend saying that she had gotten the worst news and that her Aunt Shirley had passed. My mind automatically began racing. No, it can't be that Shirley. That's her husband's aunt. She must have another one. My thoughts were quickly interrupted by the ring of my cell and as soon as I saw the name, I knew. It was that Shirley.

I was crying before I even picked up the phone. "My grandmother passed away this morning." Now, I was crying. Crying to the extent that I couldn't catch my breathe to explain to the other girls in the office why I was crying. It was a shock. A hit that I didn't see coming. Shirley had always been so active and she hadn't been sick. What had happened? Was she really gone?

Memories started flooding in. See Shirley was a special fixture at my old high school. She served as the secretary there for more years than I even know. She knew every student that ever walked in those doors and not a one ever had a bad word to say about her. She was a sweet lady, with a kind heart and big smile. A lady who cared about everyone she ever met. The first image of her I saw was behind her desk in the office smiling, which quickly brought to mind the last time I saw her there. Just a couple of years ago, I was there with Tessa trying to convince the principal to allow us to put together a drinking and driving program for the students. As soon as we came through the door, she grinned big and came around the desk to offer a hug. "Well, what are you doing here?"

Then came the rest. I saw her standing in the kitchen cooking for us while all us girls sat gathered around the kitchen table. I saw her sitting in the living room working away on something while watching a movie with us. I saw her ironing so many clothes for all of us to go to school the next day and trying desperately to get us up in the morning. I heard her laughing as she joined in our conversations about our crushes while she chauffeured us to and from ballgames. I spent so many nights at her house back in high school. I remember staying for a whole week until my mom made me come home for a couple of nights. We all did. There was always a group of girls gathered there with Missy and Shirley was a grandmother to us all.

Then I flashed forward to more recent memories. Shirley bent down hemming my wedding dress. Working to make her special mints for my wedding and dancing to rap at the reception. A moment I'm lucky enough to have on video and now cherish even more. Her huge smile and laughter was contagious while she shook it with my great aunt and grandmother. I look at the photos of us all hugging at Missy's wedding and remember her being so excited when Missy had her little boy. She loved him so much and was so proud of him. She just bragged and bragged about him.

The last time I saw her was at Tyler's birthday party back in September. She was busy as a bee just like she always was, but she took time to hug each of us girls. We talked as much as possible in such a hectic setting and I filled her in on my classes. I promised to come see her more as soon as my classes were over and she hugged me tightly. I can still feel her arms and see her shining smile.

It's hard to believe she is gone. At about 9:00am this morning, she collapsed at work. She apparently had a massive heart attack, which took her life so suddenly and unexpectedly.

Shirley was special. She made everyone feel her love and everyone who knew her was better for it. I heard someone else put it best today on Facebook. God has a new angel shining so brightly in heaven today, but then again she was an angel to most of us here on earth. She truly was and I loved her dearly, as did so many others. Mammaw Shirley will be greatly missed, but she will live on in so many hearts.

Quote of the Week

A quick post during a hectic week. I am facing what I consider my last week of courses full of papers and exams, but I am surviving so far. I am sure I will be missing most of the week, but I will hopefully be back to blogging regularly soon. After Saturday, I will like only one exam being finished. Needless to say, I am very excited. Thank you all for your kind words on my photo shoot out and I wish I had time to respond individually, but unfortunately I do not this week. Until I have more time, here is my quote of the week.

"I dwell in Possibility
A fairer House than Prose
More numerous of Windows
Superior--for Doors
Of Chambers as the Cedars
Impregnable of Eye
And for an Everlasting Roof
The Gambrels of the Sky
Of Visitors--the fairest
For Occupation--This
The spreading wide my narrow Hands
To gather Paradise."
~ Emily Dickinson, "I dwell in possibility"

Ooooppppssss.....

I forgot one of the photos I wanted to use this week, but it works to post it separately. This photo is courtesy of my little four-year old neice, Madison. She loves taking my camera and she caught me doing one of my absolute favorite things.