Linda

So I thought I would do this 'quick' meme I saw. And then it took me days to finish it up!

1. Where did you begin 2016? I think I was at home. That's what we usually do. But then again we were more social than usual last year, it might have been at Stick's.

2. Did you have to go to the hospital? Not even to visit someone.

3. Did you have any encounters with the police? Yes indeed, the swat team knocked down my back yard fence! That was quite the sad and scary adventure.

4. Where did you go on vacation? Mt Hood for my son's 18th Birthday. Stayed at the Timberline Lodge and it was AMAZING! Ocean shores for a quick trip.

5. What did you purchase that was over $500? Pretty sure that the stay at Timberline was over $500.

6. Did you know anybody who got married? Yes, many! This was a good year for marriages.

7. What sporting events did you attend? None that I recall.

8. What concerts/shows did you go to? Our annual family reunion/concert on the lawn. It is pretty awesome and includes several members of the Seattle Rock Orchestra. And many many nights of live music at Sticks.

9. Where do you live now? We moved 15 times in the first 13 years we were married, but we have lived in the same house for about 8 years now. I'M NOT MOVING.

10. Describe your birthday: I turned 50, so we had a MONTH of celebrations. The big event was a hawaiian themed party at Sticks.

11. What’s the one thing you thought you would never do, but did in 2016? Ride up a mountain in a snowcat. I'm not much of an winter sports person, but this was just a nice trip, no skiing involved. :)

12. What’s something you learned about yourself? I'm getting old. Time to make some changes for the better.

13. Any new additions to your family? Just the newly married folk. But I assume that babies will soon follow.

14. What was your best month? January for our awesome trip, but then the whole month of February was birthday celebration, so that is a tie.

15. What music will you remember 2016 by? Sadly, 'Last Christmas'. They played it so many times on my favorite station that I started making fun of it. Just when I went to make a post about it on facebook, I saw that George Micheal passed away. :(

16. Made new friends? Yes, it was definitely a more social year than I have had in a long time.

17. Favorite night out? Mike's birthday dinner at Timberline. What a treat!

18. Any regrets? No.

19. What do you want to change in 2017? Get a little healthier. Spend more time with family and friends.

20. Overall, how would you rate this year? Pretty good. 2015 would be hard to top, but 2016 is close.

21. Other than home, where did you spend most of your time? Work. Sticks for fun time.

22. Change your hairstyle? I got it cut shorter, I like it.

23. Buy a new car? I don't drive, so no.

24. Any car accidents? Nope.

25. How old did you turn this year? The big 5-0

26. Do you have a New Year’s resolution? I don't usually make them.

27. Do anything embarrassing? Gosh, I am sure I did. I try not to remember too much about those things.

28. Be honest - did you watch American Idol? I never have.

29. Start a new hobby? No, but I keep eyeballing mini ashford looms in case some day I want to learn to weave.

30. Will you be happy to see 2016 go? It seems to carry a lot of negative energy as a whole. Sadly, I don't think 2017 will be much better on that front.

31. Been naughty or nice? Nice. Always.

I put up pictures on my facebook, and made them public, so hopefully everyone can check them out. If for some reason that doesn't work, let me know and I can post them here instead.

https://www.facebook.com/LindaJane…

He's selling off two computer components. So he'll have money for NEW pieces. I think building your own computer is a never ending thing...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod…

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod…

Not used long, and with original boxes, etc. He says: I'll do $275 for both or, $225 for the cpu and $60 for the motherboard {I will pay the shipping}

Ask any questions and I will ask him and get back to you.

Today would have been my mom's 75th birthday. She never really liked celebrating her birthday, and hated if anyone knew how old she was. That changed a little when she hit 70, she was proud of the years.

I miss her so much. I know she only passed away several weeks ago, but of course I haven't had my MOM in years. Alzheimer's is such a horrible disease and robs you of everything. So I've had years to grieve and some of the sadness and regrets are already in the past.

Growing up my mom was Mom. But when I hit about 16 and I was the only kid at home, she became one of my best friends. We spent a lot of time together, road trips, weekly auction, craft shows. After I married and moved farther away, I looked forward to every letter, every phone call, and of course every visit. We spent most of our visits together laughing, crafting, taking nature walks, sledding and playing with my boys. I know they both have so many good memories of her.

My mom didn't grow up in a good situation, she was very abused by her mother {a sister of hers died as a baby from neglect and abuse} but spent many years living with her grandmother, and when it came time to have her own family, she was able to put aside the bad things from her past and focus on the good things that she remembered from time at her Grandma's house.

I have learned so much from my mom, work hard, have FUN, enjoy your kids every minute, because they grow up fast, and also you want them to love you and be your friend when they get older. Don't be afraid to look a little silly sometimes. Give as much love as you can. Forgive and forget. Don't tattle. Snowballs thrown INTO the house will melt and dry. A lightning storm is a good opportunity to go outside and sit with your kids {I honestly didn't know that some people were afraid of thunder and lightning until I was an adult} Love your grandkids with the fire of a thousand suns. Family isn't only blood, its what and who you make it. Don't let hate have a place in your heart, because it only hurts YOU. Spread your wings when you can, grow roots where you are planted. Never complain. There's always a way, you just have to find it. Sometimes you just have to make chocolate chip cookies, even if it's midnight. Sing along with the songs you like. Give good hugs. And mean it.

Happy Birthday Mom.

I never figured out what I was doing wrong with screened comments here, but I was successful with them on DW, so here is the link if you'd like a card from me:
http://sneezer222.dreamwidth.org/1…

My address is the same as it has been for several years now {thank goodness!}

Why can't I make my comments screened here on LJ? I click the button that says to screen and it doesn't appear to work.

My mom passed away yesterday afternoon.

It has been both a very trying and yet magical few days. Everyone was able to spend some time with Mom and let her know how much we love her, and how much she means to us.

When I was little, my entire family consisted of Mom, Dad, and my two sisters, me and my uncle Jim. That was it, no grandpas no grandmas no cousins. {they were either passed on, or estranged} and when my mom had her kids, she was intent on making us one big happy family.

At the memory care facility {which is a pretty small home, so not many residents} we sort of took over for a few days, and they made room for us, and gave us space to grieve and laugh and eat and play and live. And at any hour of the day or night I could look around and see FAMILY, gathered, loving, uniting in our time of grief. I said to Mom that obviously she had done her job very, very well.

I came home yesterday and slept for several hours, went to bed last night and woke up this morning to realize that my alarm had been going off for a solid TWO HOURS.

Thank you so much for your good thoughts, it really really does help. At one point my sister and I were reading our facebook messages, and she said that so many times in the past she has posted a short message of love and caring and didn't really know if it could do any good at a time like that. But reading those, she realized that they really do matter and you really can feel the love and caring.

I know some of you on my friend's list are fans and users of perfume oils, and I could sure use some help/advice.

A few years ago I bought a little bunch of fall/halloween perfume oils, the tiny little bottles. Just from a friend, they were getting rid of some and I thought it would be fun to try.

I am allergic to most scents, so it is rare I can find something that I both like and can actually WEAR.

But one of the tiny bottles not only smells DEVINE, but never bothers my allergies at all. But it is getting low and I would love to have something similar.

it is a 2008 Nocturne Alchemy Limited Edition Tomb N'Alloween Jack'al Lantern

Here is what I found online:

Jack'al Lantern

What is Halloween without a Jack'O'Lantern? Here at NA we created a YUMMIFIED Pumpkin scent fit
for the God of Dead and his very own Jack'al Lantern. We've listened to spookified music and
inhaled delicious resins from all around the world. Under a full moon where candles bathe in the
darkness of nite the scent of Pumpkin morphs in the haze of Cedar(E/O) and the smokiness of
Egyptian Nag Champa. A hint of Black Vanilla(Absolute) smolders the edges of Patchouli (E/O) and
nestles his nose in his bag of mojo. A scent meant for the oppression of day.

Anyone have any hints as to something similar that I might try? Or have some of this one they woulnd't mind getting rid of?

Yeah, that's pretty normal for us this time of year, but my gosh it's hot.

At my son's school, every Monday is a late start day. He usually leaves for the bus at 7:35am, but on Mondays he doesn't have to be out there till after 9am. We have lived here for SEVEN YEARS, and I have never messed this up. Until today.
Poor guy, I went in at 6:30, tried to wake him up, came in a few more times, and only after 7 did I finally figure out it wasn't Tuesday. :(
At least he woke up thinking it was funny and not that I was the worst mom on earth.

Only 12 more days of school and then SUMMER. And he will be a Junior next year. I really am NOT ready for that yet. {he's the baby in my icon}