I am Rena's Daughter

Monday music giveaway!

2012-01-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

There is something about music that touches the soul~
It brings up every emotion and the first sound.
My friend Andy always introduces new music to us.
This is one of the most recent ones and I simply love it!

I would love to hear some of your favorite artists and songs~
I will draw a name from the comments on Tuesday night! :)

One last post about Paris~

2012-01-29T08:42:00.000-08:00

I think one of my favorite things about going to Paris was that I figured out the Metro!
I live in Utah, and up until the past few years we have not had the best public transit system. We do have trax trains now but I live so close to work and the city that I still do not take it much at all, and ours is very simple anyways. However, The Metro in Paris is very complex. Tons of trains, all different colors on the transit map. You have to know where you are going in order to choose the right route, this can include multiple Metro trains ~ I know it might seem like a simple thing but on the first day I almost had a meltdown thinking I knew what I was doing :) And a lady yelled across the tracks asking me where I needed to go, I was not in the right place and somehow she could tell. From then on I did not have any issues and got on the right trains to the right places ~ I felt a little bit proud that I had actually figured it out :) It may seem like such a small thing, but at that point in my life it was huge ~

Paris from the Siene River...

2012-01-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

I took a river cruise one late afternoon and saw Paris from Siene ~ Loved it!
Such an incredible perspective.

(I don't know these people but I just loved the whole scene, I had to sneak the picture when I walked by).

Notre Dame and a few random Paris shots...

2012-01-19T05:00:00.000-08:00

The Louvre.....

2012-01-18T05:00:00.000-08:00

No words necessary~
Wow, what an amazing place....

More from Paris May 2011....finally!

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

I met this awesome couple, Vicki and Charlie, on the Eiffel Tower when they asked me to take their picture. I spent the rest of the afternoon with them, traveling to Monte Martre and Sacre-'Coure.
Here are a few shots that Vicki sent me~

and the winner is....

2012-01-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

...Heather from www.macmoto.blogspot.com (I cannot get my link to work anymore)
~ I will send the gift card out to you this week!
:) Enjoy ~

Saturday giveaway ~ just because!

2012-01-07T06:53:00.000-08:00

Leave a comment (by Monday the 9th) and tell me your favorite thing to do when you have time to yourself...
Read~
Go to a movie~
Go for a walk~
etc..
I will draw a random winner on Tuesday January 10th~
The winner will receive a $10.00 gift card to Starbucks :)
Happy 2012!

What are you reading?

2012-01-06T18:11:00.000-08:00

I am reading this amazing book~

I am about half way through and wow...It is so fascinating! I am loving it!
What are you reading? Any good recommendations?

....goodbye 2011....

2011-12-31T18:19:00.000-08:00

2011 began with an ending....
Saying goodbye after 5 years of marriage we started our separate journeys....

this is how my journey continued in 2011....

Completing my first half marathon aside my best friend Heather...

My first European trip...
England with my brother and niece...

Paris and Italy on my own...

Coming home to my "new" old kitchen ~ remodeled as a huge gift and surprise to me by my best friends! I am still in shock that they would have done this for me, it is such an amazing gift!

The notorious slicing of the tendons in my hand, surgery, physical therapy etc....

Cecret Lake hikes with my family and friends....

2 years without her...and still missing her so very much...

Turning 37...

Learning to cook~ and conquering some of the fears that go along with that~

Spending more time with my beautiful sister and her amazing family!

The list goes on and on....
It has been a challenging, difficult, interesting, adventurous, emotional, and wonderful year all wrapped into one...
~Goodbye 2011~
Welcome 2012, my word for the New Year is...
~ Hope ~
Happy New Year!

Show Shoeing on Christmas Eve...

2011-12-27T17:00:00.000-08:00

I went snowshoeing on Christmas Eve morning and it was absolutely beautiful up in the mountains~ Here are a few photos...

Forgive the cell phone photos~ but it was all I had :)

Merry Christmas....

2011-12-25T07:22:00.000-08:00

...the real gifts in life...

2011-12-22T19:05:00.001-08:00

Though we have all decided not to exchange gifts this year ~ I want to let my family and friends know that the best gift I could ask for is simply having them in my life! I wish I could properly express the love and gratitude I have in my heart for each and every one of you!
Thank you for your love, support and the extra strength you have given me ~
I know I could not have survived a single day over the past few years with out each of you standing by my side.
From the bottom of my heart....
Thank you!

Hand update again....

2011-12-13T17:55:00.000-08:00

So it has been nearly 4 months since the "Incident" with my kitchen knife and surgery a few days later. I severed 2 tendons in my left middle finger~ Yup...THAT finger! :)
The Dr only repaired one tendon...
25 sessions of physical therapy...3 more Dr appointments... and roughly $3000 out of pocket...
I am still without much movement in my finger. The tendon does not pull right and there is a big bulge in the middle of my hand ~ The options now are to go in and do another surgery to remove scar tissue and hope for slightly more movement or to continue on the with way it is and get use to my hand the way it is.
It has been a very difficult decision honestly. I think at this point I don't think I can put myself through another surgery with an outcome that may or may not be better. I am not emotionally, financially, physically or mentally ready to do it again. I have decided to pass on another surgery at this point and see how things continue to go with my "new" hand!
Here are a few photos of my MRI~ You can see scar tissue at the base of my middle finger ~ The tendon disappears under the muck. I am not sure what you can see in the middle of my hand that is preventing so much but it is there, trust me! :)
Anyone out there have any experience with tendon repair?
And yes...without the help of my other fingers pulling the middle one down~ I do have a permanent bird! You gotta laugh at some of it because there is not much else to do! :)

Remember to listen to people in your life when they tell you to be careful cutting things... I had no idea I could ever do this much damage with one small poke of a knife.

Europe posts await....

2011-12-11T12:12:00.000-08:00

I have been home for 6 months~ and I have only gotten through posting about half of my trip~ I will work on travel photos and update the blog soon with more from Paris and all of Italy!
Thanks for waiting!

Under a blanket with a book...

2011-12-09T06:27:00.000-08:00

The perfect place to spend time on a cold winter night....
Have you read this series?? I am on the third book ~ I started them about 2 1/2 weeks ago. They are so great!!
(I need to tune up my book review skills.)
But I am so glad I finally listened to everyone and started them!

Grief Group ladies...

2011-12-08T20:07:00.000-08:00

A few years ago we all entered a room with fear and heartache.
We came together there and shared loss, love, tears and laughter, stories of our amazing loved ones that we had recently lost.
We became friends ~
Over the past 2 years we have met every other month or so for dinner.
Today I came across the obituary of one of the amazing women I met in my grief group~ My heart is broken for her family.
She was such an important part in my healing after the death of my mother.
Here is a cell phone photo of the rest of us from the last time we met, Angi did not make it that time and it was the first time we had finally taken a photo together. I am sad we did not get a picture of all of us.

My heart goes out to Angi and her family. She was not even
50 years old.
Thank you Angi for being there to share the stories of your beautiful daughter. I find comfort in knowing that you are with her again.

HeART Exchange~

2011-12-07T05:00:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I was part of a HeART exchange~
You get the info of another person and make art and swap~
I was paired up with Paula ~
After we emailed a few times she decided to make some cards for me since I love cards and I framed some of my Hawaii photos for her since Hawaii is one of the things she loves and a place that she really wants to go.
Here are a few photos of our Art Swap projects for each other!

My first pumpkin pies!

2011-12-06T05:00:00.000-08:00

The night before Thanksgiving a few of my friends and I got together, two of them made Christmas decorations and two of us made pies!
Jason shared his great grandmothers recipe with me~
They turned out so great!!! It was a lot easier than I thought but they do take a while to cook ~
Here are some photos from the night ~

photos taken by various Iphones :)

Its time!

2011-12-04T05:00:00.000-08:00

It is time to listen to this 24-7 for 3 more weeks.

And time to bring this guy out to Enjoy for the holiday season!

I hope you are having a wonderful December so far!

Gratitude...

2011-12-03T09:29:00.001-08:00

I did not do a very good job at blogging much last month~ I wanted to start this month off by attempting to express my overwhelming gratitude to my amazing family and wonderful friends.
The past few years have been the hardest in my life to say the least, especially the loss of my beautiful mom.
Without the constant love and support from my family and friends I never would have made it through a day....
I wish that I could properly express my gratitude to each person in my life but I am not sure I would be successful at putting into words the amount of love I feel in my heart for each of them.
I am truly the luckiest person in the world!
Thank you!!

I also want to Thank each of you who take the time to look at my blog~
Thank you for your kindness and wonderful supportive comments over the past few years~ It means more to me than I can express!

Happy Thanksgiving.....

2011-11-24T05:00:00.000-08:00

Thankful for nostalgia...

2011-11-10T20:20:00.000-08:00

There is a book store in Park City that I have gone to ever since I can remember. I have loved going in to Dolly's bookstore since I was a little girl and I still love it.
When I go to Park City, Dolly's is always a stop for me.
I went there about 2 months ago when we stayed there for my birthday~
It has changed a little but still resembles my childhood, my mom, and just a tiny bit excitement for knowing that you will leave with a little something special~
These are the things I took home that day...
I am looking forward to using my new calendar in 2012!
And I love the hair tie/ bracelets :)

My first stuffed peppers~

2011-11-09T05:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my awesome fellow blogger ~ Jen ~ sharing her recipe on her blog I decided I would give it a try and they were delicious!
Her recipe is on her blog a few posts back (I am having issues trying to link to it).
I used ground beef instead of Turkey because that is what I had and only 1 tsp of cayenne because I am chicken about making things too hot. I think I will mix sausage in next time for an extra kick ~ And I did add the sweet potato YUM!
Here are some pictures of the steps along the way~

A weekend of cooking...

2011-11-08T19:55:00.000-08:00

It started off on Friday night and my first attempt at making homemade meatballs~
I am proud to say that they turned out pretty good!
Sadly I only got pictures of them before they were cooked~
My kitchen actually looks like place that things are cooked rather than just opened and microwaved like it use to :) I don't think I have ever had 3 pots and pans on the stove at once! :)
Here are a few pictures!

Winter....

2011-11-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

I know you are just around the corner~ Snow has already touched the ground...
I don't want to dislike you so much anymore.
In an effort to enjoy you more I purchased these snowshoes at Costco!
I hope it will be just the thing to help me wake up and be grateful for more snow ~
I am grateful to Costco for having an affordable alternative to Winter activities since most things are too expensive! :)

I'm falling more in love...

2011-11-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

with my kitchen!
Another post of extreme gratitude for my friends who took the time to make over my kitchen while in was in Europe in late Spring~
I never knew it could become my favorite room in the house.
Where I can sit and write at the island...
Create meals for my family and friends and have everyone over more...
Where I can enjoy the simple smell of coffee in the mornings...
Where I sat morning and night doing physical therapy exercises for my hand, while propping a book on a plate stand and reading amazing stories...
It is such a warm and welcoming space given to me with so much love, I will forever be grateful!

Almost 35 years...

2011-11-02T20:52:00.000-07:00

I know November sparks gratitude in so many of us because of Thanksgiving, I hope that I show gratitude in my life on a more regular basis...
A new goal for me is to be certain I am consciously grateful every day~
This month I will incorporate some specific gratitude posts~
'Tis the season! :) It will make me appreciate the oncoming Winter even more...
First....
I am grateful for~
The nearly 35 years that I got to spend with this woman walking beside me as my mother....
And I will be grateful today and the rest of my that I was lucky enough to be her daughter...

Hello November....

2011-11-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

Welcome!
I am taking a vow to enjoy you and the Winter months that follow~
I will try so hard not to complain about the snow and the cold...
I will enjoy the down time and the time for movies and hot chocolate and blankets and Uggs and sweaters and dinners indoors with family and friends.
I don't always welcome the late Fall and Winter with open arms like I do with Spring and Summer, but it is a goal of mine to find more things to enjoy about the Winter!
Happy November!
I would love it if you would share with me your favorite things about Winter!!

Chili, Pumpkin, Family and Friends!

2011-10-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

Last Monday night I had my family and friends over for home made chili and pumpkin carving~ We had so much fun!
I loved doing this and think it will become an annual tradition!
I did not carve because I was having too much fun taking pictures of everyone else~
Here are some photos from the night!

Happy Halloween!!

September recap #4

2011-10-27T19:42:00.000-07:00

A weekend in Park City...
My best friend Heather had planned a girls birthday weekend in Park City for she and myself~
She ended up surprised me by inviting 3 of my other best friends~ We had such a fun few days ~
Hiking, eating, getting massages, hot tubing, and relaxing.
Here are a few photos from the trip~
(I think they are all taken with I phones, I wasn't using my camera that much at this point.)
:)

Soba noodle yumminess! :)

2011-10-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

I went for a walk with my friend Rachelle last week and she cooked us dinner after. It was amazing!
I got the recipe the next day and tried it myself on Saturday ~
It is so delicious!
I am not sure who to credit the recipe to but thought I would share it!
Thank Rachelle, for introducing me to such a yummy and easy meal~

Soba Noodles with honey jalapeño chicken-

Ingredients

12 ounces soba noodles
1 jalapeno, seeds removed
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 to 3 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded or sliced
3 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
1/4 cup chopped scallions, green part only
1 Red pepper
1 cup snow peas (or other green veggie)
2 tablespoons pickled ginger, minced

Directions

Cook soba noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

In a blender or food processor, combine jalapenos, honey, cilantro, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and black pepper and puree until smooth. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to the mixture until desired consistency is achieved. Pour the 2 teaspoons of olive oil into a preheated skillet add chopped red pepper and snow peas, cook until tender. Add the shredded chicken and the blended sauce and cook until heated through.

In a medium bowl, combine cooked soba noodles, soy sauce,sesame oil, scallions, and pickled ginger. Toss and then transfer to serving bowl. Pour heated chicken, veggies, and sauce over noodles.

September recap #3~

2011-10-25T05:00:00.000-07:00

Labor day hike with friends to Cecret Lake~
It was awesome to be able to share this amazing place with my friends!

(Photos taken by Becky ((or random strangers)) again)

September recap #2~

2011-10-24T12:22:00.000-07:00

Birthday dinner with friends~(Pre~artshow)
I loved the food and the decor with plenty of dragonflies!
This was early September (I was still in the splint until mid-October).
Photos taken by Becky!

The Warmth of Fall....

2011-10-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

Trading flip flops for Uggs~

Letting the sun warm my heart and soul with its beautiful light~

Remembering my beautiful mom and how much she loved the season change!

Dear Betty....

2011-10-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

Thank you for such an awesome book of tips and recipes!
I found this at Barnes and Noble on sale so a snatched it up~

It has really changed my life with cooking~
Such simple things like baking chicken...

I made the apple crisp for my sisters birthday dessert last weekend. It turned out great~

On Tuesday I had some fresh pears left over from the Farmers Market and thought it would be fun to try the same recipe with pears... YUMALISH!!

Pear crisp...

I am not sure how exactly I stumbled upon my new found love of cooking but it is becoming one of my favorite things to do!

Dear Fall.....

2011-10-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

You are beautiful and I love you.....

Breakfast at Tiffanys....

2011-10-16T15:02:00.000-07:00

I have been wanting to learn to cook and try new things over the past few weeks~
I invited some friends over for breakfast this morning~ I made 2 egg/veggie casseroles~ Not sure what is the difference between that, a frittata and a quiche :) It was the question of the morning...but whatever they were they turned out pretty good. We sat outside and enjoyed a warm, beautiful fall day.
They brought me some amazing flowers too~
I am getting over my fear of cooking for people!
It actually in some small way feels like giving a gift ~ even if it is just a simple meal. I wish I could truly repay the people in my life in bigger ways but for now...Food :)

I tied my own shoes! :)

2011-10-14T05:49:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was the first time in 7 weeks that I could tie my own shoes!
And Wednesday I was cleared for light jogging!
Sometimes it is the little things that mean so much!
Happy Friday!

September recap # 1~

2011-10-12T05:00:00.000-07:00

For my birthday weekend the beginning of September my friends found this amazing art show we thought we would enter~
It was a 24 hour art show (pick your canvas up one day and return them finished the next)~

Here are our pieces....
Andys...

Beckys...

and Mine...

I haven't painted in years but it felt great~ It was even easy to do with one hand! I need a lot more practice though!

Here are a few of the things we purchased that night~

Farmers Market addiction...

2011-10-11T05:00:00.000-07:00

The season is winding down but my addiction is increasing! I am not sure what I will do when the Farmers Market ends but for now I am making fresh salsa...
sliced tomatoes, basil and mozzarella...
fresh pears with cran-pear white vinegar ... etc...etc... a few times a week. I am not sure if I am craving all of this fresh produce because my body is healing but I am really loving it!

~ Complimented by a new local discovery~Millcreek Olive Oil...

My first time canning~

2011-10-10T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today my best friend and I decided to try our luck at canning Raspberry Salsa and Jalapeno jelly. She had tried the jalapeno jelly a few weeks ago and it turned out great so we thought we would try a few more things. And with my current addiction to homemade salsa and buying out the Farmers Market 2 times a week :) it seemed like a good way to spend the Sunday!
They turned out great~ Here are a few photos from our canning adventure~

Finally framed...

2011-10-09T19:38:00.000-07:00

I finally got my print framed!!
And finding the frame was so easy I cannot wait to buy more of her amazing prints!
I'm not sure where I will hang it yet but for now at least it is in a frame!
Dragonfly....by Pilgrim of the moon...

I'm in love

2011-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

with this author!! Introduced to me by my beautiful mom through good reads~
I finished Women Of The Silk in just 5 days. The characters in the book kept me company through hours of home hand therapy. She has an incredible writing style and I felt sadness when the book ended. I ran out this weekend to buy 2 more of her books~ I cannot wait to read them too!

This was the first of her books I read~I loved it equally as much!

I took myself to the market...

2011-10-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

And bought some fresh tomatoes, peppers and cilantro and made salsa! I even braved cutting a lime and juicing it :)
I also treated myself to my favorite flowers~ $5.00 for a beautiful bunch of Sunflowers~

And it was the first time I took my camera out "one handed" and not on my front porch~

Here is my Fall decor!

Hand update...

2011-10-03T17:32:00.000-07:00

Here is my hand update~ Then I'm moving on and posting good things again for a while! I'm sick of feeling sorry for myself~Last week was rough though and I have to allow myself that too...
So last week I went to my follow up Dr appointment, they were concerned that maybe the tendon repair had ruptured since my finger is not responding quite right. He sent me for an ultrasound on my finger and luckily the tendon appears in tact! Yay ~So what they are thinking now is that the scar tissue has adhered and it is preventing the tendon from working, so we are bumping up the physical therapy for the next few weeks. And keeping fingers crossed that the scar tissue will give a bit where it is stuck! Apparently I scar like a champion~ Who knew! :)
(Otherwise they may have to do another surgery to remove it, I'm hoping that will not have to happen).
This Wednesday I will get my splint off. I will still have a weak hand and a finger that does not work but it will be nice to be able to wash my hand at least, and shower without a trash bag!
Thank you for all of your kind thoughts~ It helps me so much~!!

I'm trying so hard

2011-09-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

not to be broken~but this roller coaster ride is proving harder than I thought.
I opened my hand for the first time at physical therapy today and that felt good. My injured finger, however does not seem to be working like they had hoped. I left therapy feeling ok and optimistic but later got a call from the physical therapist that he had called my Dr and thought I should move my follow up appointment to this week instead of next so that he could see the concerns we have for my hand.
I know things might still be ok but I feel like the rug was just pulled out from under me, I'm not sure if I can start this over. I am hoping I wont have to~
Please keep my hand recovery in your thoughts this week, I could use some extra strength and hope right now ~
Thank you...

Living life single handedly....

2011-09-19T19:21:00.000-07:00

It has been just over 4 weeks since I cut my finger and severed 2 tendons. This coming Wednesday will be 4 weeks post surgery....That is the date that every small milestone will be counted from (see calendar above). I have been doing physical therapy since 2 days after surgery and last Friday (3 1/2 weeks post surgery) I was able to try and engage my tendons...Lets just say it was a very... very... small movement and I realize that I have a long road ahead.
It has been very challenging to only have the use of my right hand, there are so many things that require 2! These things are not possible with one hand...
Tying my shoes, putting my hair in a pony tail, flossing my teeth etc.
Some things are possible just harder and slower...typing, driving, writing letters etc.
I have not been cleared for any physical activity besides walking and mild hiking...Not even running....It's been hard to slow down.
There are so many lessons that I am learning from this experience, it has been extremely humbling to say the least. I will talk more about the lessons I am learning in a separate post.

Here are a few photos of the stitches...

Stitches removed...

Post skin and scab peel...

"I Was Here"

2011-09-14T20:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't ever really thought anything much about Beyonce, but this song really brings up so much in my heart. It sums up how I am trying to live my life and how my beautiful mom did live hers.
I want to thank my real life angels for bringing things like this into my life :)
Just thought I'd share...

"I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, and something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I want to say I lived each day, until I died
I know that I had something in, somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference, and this world will see
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here...
I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone to happiness
Left this world a little better just because...
I was here...
I was here...
I lived, I loved
I was here...
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here..."
~Beyonce~

Janet and me!

2011-09-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to meet a fellow blogger! She came from St Louis to Salt Lake for a conference and we met for lunch. What an amazing woman!
Janet, it was such a pleasure to meet you!
Here are a few pictures from my phone!

Dear 36...

2011-09-03T13:39:00.000-07:00

I celebrate with you today as our last day together on this journey.
Tomorrow 37 will greet me as I wake.
You have been an interesting year to say the least.
You have been filled with~
...endings...
...beginnings...
...laughter...
...sadness...
...loss...
...gain...
...hope...
...fear...
...family...
...friends...
...love...
...kindness...
...loneliness...
...togetherness...
...accomplishments...
...travel, where I found so much of myself...
...doubt, where I questioned so much of myself...
...injuries that have made me stronger...
the list goes on and on...
I look back on this year knowing I have made mistakes, knowing I have made progress, knowing that I am such a lucky woman. This year has shown me that during hard times there is a support system of the most amazing family and friends that come together and lift me up with their strength and love. I have indescribable gratitude for my support system in this life! I am such a lucky person!
So 36...
Thank you for the challenges you have given me. Thank you for the amazing gifts you have given me!
I will miss you, but I look forward to meeting 37 tomorrow with open arms, an open mind, and an open heart!

I fought the knife and the knife won....

2011-08-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

It was last Sunday morning...
7:00 am. Getting the crock pot ready to have my family over for dinner. The very last ingredient was the juice of one lime... The knife and I had never met before, it was brand new and the sharpest knife I had probably ever used. I pretty much poked it straight through the lime and into my hand. Severing 2 tendons in my left middle finger. I called my friends to take me to the ER.
I recieved 2 stitches and after 6 hours they sent me home telling me I need to schedule surgery. I met with the Dr on Tuesday and he scheduled me for surgery the next day. 6 more hours, anesthesia and one splint later I was sent home.
I started physical therapy yesterday and will begin my long road to recovery...
Here are a few photos~
After ER...

After surgery...

At physical therapy I was able to see how they turned my fourth inch slice into a 2 inch zig zag pattern...

The physical therapist made me this custom splint!

The giant cheese I need to wear while sitting and sleeping to elevate and help prevent swelling...

August 19...

2011-08-19T05:00:00.000-07:00

I so often wonder how it has already been 2 years since I have seen her face, heard her voice, touched her soft skin. My heart aches with such a huge void.
Her presence is felt so often, but I still miss her as much today as I did the very first moment she was gone.
I wish I could hold her hand just one more time and tell her that I love her.
There are so few words that can properly express what it is like not to have her here anymore. To know that she is gone.
Does your mind ever really accept it, does your heart ever really know it? I think somehow we don't fully understand the reality of such a devastating loss. I think our hearts would never fully recover. It may not...

Somehow she continues to give us so many gifts~
Her final resting place is a gift of beauty and peace for my family and I to enjoy. A place to spend time together, alone, or share with special friends...
She gave us so many gifts in her life and continues to do so now that she is gone.
She gave us the special place we can go to be close to her.
To enjoy the beauty of this incredible world we live in.
To be surrounded by mountains...
a lake...
giant rocks perfect for picnics...
amazing wild flowers...
indescribable beauty...
Where every step that is taken the entire way is filled so much with her.

Dear mom,
I am not always certain of much in this life, but one thing I will always know is how proud I am to be your daughter.
My life have been so blessed because you are my mother.
For you, I will always be grateful.
I love you~
Tiff

Sacre'-Coeur

2011-08-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Next to Montmartre~
Sacre'-Coeur!

Montmartre...

2011-08-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

A quaint little place that I never would have found without Charlie and Vicki~
Montmartre...
I think it was my favorite place in Paris!

Rain by Shel Silverstein

2011-08-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can't do a handstand--
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said--
I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.
~ Rain by Shel Silverstein

Eiffel Tower

2011-08-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

The Eiffel Tower...My Iron Angel.
What an amazing experience in so many ways.
I went to the first level, it was so high up~ 376 feet I just now read, wow it seemed higher.
This is where I met some of my new friends Vicki and Charlie from Iowa~ (I think she will send me a photo of them soon). Charlie asked me to take their picture so I did and we all started talking. We were waiting together in line to get to the top~
The top is 905 feet above the ground, AAAAHMAZING!! :)
How beautiful and incredible is the view from up there~

Its shadow on the park below...
The amazing city ~ Paris...

The buildings don't have a lot of color, at least that is what I noticed from up there!
Here are a few photos from the Eiffel Tower~
And one Vicki took of me!

2011-08-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

Happiness is like a butterfly (or dragonfly) :) which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.
~Nathaniel Hawthorne

2011-08-01T18:30:00.001-07:00

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet. ~James Openheim

Paris...

2011-07-26T21:02:00.000-07:00

I left my brother and my niece in Cambridge and headed off to Paris, with tears in my eyes~
Heading into the unknown~ Alone and uncertain. That time was difficult for me, harder than I had expected it would be. I wandered to the train station with my rolling suitcase in hand and fear in my heart.
I took the train from London to Paris~
The first night was hard~ I walked around to try and get familiar with where I was staying. I went out to eat and ordered something not so tasty because I could not read the menu and no one there spoke English~
I headed in early and wrote in my journal,and read my book.
It is already lonely in a new city by yourself, but speaking a different language made me feel even more isolated that first night. The rest of the trip I was able to meet a lot of people that spoke English so that helped! :)
The next day I headed out to see my moms favorite museum, Musee d'Orsay ~ It was incredible.
Then I headed to the Eiffel Tower and when I came up out of the metro~ I saw it...
My Iron angel~
From that moment on, I knew I was exactly where I needed to be!

Happy 70th Birthday Mom!

2011-07-21T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today my beautiful mother should have turned 70 years old. I would have called her today and wished her a Happy Birthday, she would have taken us all out to dinner and treated us because that is what she loved to do. It was her birthday tradition~ Over the coming weekend my mom, sister and I would have met for lunch at one of her favorite restaurants and had massages. We would have told stories and laughed a lot and maybe even cried a little. It is so hard for me knowing that we will no longer be able to do these things.
What we will do instead is get together for dinner to celebrate her life. We will celebrate her birthday because she would want us to be together. She would want us to be happy and remember her. She would want us to continue to celebrate her life and our own. We will silently miss her tomorrow like we do every single day.

Today and always we celebrate you mom. And the incredible and amazing person that you have always been. We will celebrate how lucky we have been in this lifetime to be your children and grandchildren. We will celebrate how lucky we are to have you as our mother.
I love you and miss you as much today as the first moment you left.

This day and always....
I love you mom!
~Tiff

Ensign Peak, Utah...Sunset July 18th 2011

2011-07-19T18:34:00.001-07:00

My friend Nicole and I hiked up Ensign Peak last night to take some photos of the sunset and our amazing city~ Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot!

Hot numbers....

2011-07-18T20:36:00.000-07:00

Hot numbers coffee shop in Cambridge became one of my favorite places to be during my week in England~ I went there every morning for coffee but more importantly, time with my journal~ it was a place that meant so much to me by weeks end.

I shed tears there with strangers sitting at the same table, never speaking a word, my head buried in my pages to try and hide the tears.

I was vulnerable there with emotions that I had kept hidden for too long. I couldn't help it. I was comforted by the words I needed to write. Facing things I hadn't yet faced about my life and the changes that had come.

I wrote in detail about a scarf and bike helmet hanging on the coat rack...
I listened to Jazz music...
I watched the rain fall through the windows...
I loved every minute spent here, simply not enough...
I only took a few photos but I love how they portray...
Hot Numbers...

This is my farewell post to England...
Next stop ~ Paris, France!

I had a dream...

2011-07-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

I had a dream about my mom last night~
I ran up to her and held her so tight. I hugged her as hard as I could, I was crying and I kept telling her how much I love her and miss her ~
When I dream of her they are almost always like that...I just don't want to let her go.
If I had just one wish ~ I would want to give her one more giant hug and tell her just how very much I love her and how special she is to me and how very, very much she is missed....

My last few days in England...

2011-07-08T06:33:00.000-07:00

We went in to London the last two days of my stay in England before I headed off to Paris~ The first night we saw Wicked...Loved it!
The next day we went back to wander around. We went to a cathedral and to The Tate museum~
I loved the cool taxis in London,
they look like old fashioned cars.
Here are a few photos from London!

Ely Cathedral, England

2011-07-07T05:33:00.000-07:00

My niece and I took a train to Ely from Cambridge~
Here are some pictures from the Ely Cathedral...

Run Dirty Girl Run! Pink Ladies style!

2011-07-05T19:10:00.000-07:00

Last Thanksgiving my friend Heather and I signed up for a race July 2nd 2011, she ended up having a family trip that weekend so my friend Becky took her place.
We had such a blast! What a fun race! This was my first mud/obstacle course race and I LOVED it! It was all women and the money raised goes to gynecological cancer research.
Becky went to the thrift store the day before the race and found us the most amazing outfits ~
Our team name was The Pink Ladies!
Andy and Becky turned the jackets into Pink Lady originals with puffy paint and steady hands!

Lessons I've learned...
~Don't take yourself too seriously!
~You are never too old to be silly!
~I look like Elton John with pigtails in those giant glasses!
~Working out with friends is so much better!
~Life is too short so enjoy every minute!

Here are some photos from the day!

After...

2 years~

2011-07-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

2 years ago this day my whole world crashed down around me~
It was July 2nd 2009 that we found out the news of my moms cancerous brain tumors. She was checked into the hospital that night and never made it back home.
It still feels so strange to me that all of this happened and the reality is that my mom is gone and will never be back. I think sometimes our brains and hearts forget that part. I suppose that is how we can continue to go on.
I know that she lives inside me, and my family and that she is thought about, loved and missed every moment of every day.
This time of year is hard for me. The 4th of July weekend means so much more than fireworks, it marks the beginning of the most devastating time in my life.
I will go to my friends home for a BBQ and fireworks and I will be surrounded by family and friends and I will be happy and feel lucky to be there~
But my heart will ache for what is missing from my life ~
My beautiful mom~

Kahuna boards...

2011-06-30T19:47:00.000-07:00

This is a little break from the travel posts~(1500 photos has been harder to go through than I thought, I will continue travel posts soon!).
Last summer I fell in love with Stand Up Paddle Boarding~ Now that it is warm again I have been wanting to get back on a board so last weekend I volunteered at a race for the Utah Summer Games, it was a blast to be up at the lake watching about 50 paddle boarders compete.
It was entry level to extremely experienced riders~
After the race I was able to test ride some boards. I can't yet afford to buy one or, I suppose, justify that purchase yet but while I was there I got to test long boards and land paddles from Kahuna Creations ~ I ran home and bought one. I took it to the park tonight and I knew it was a good purchase for me! I loved riding it!
Cheers to another healthy new obsession!

Punting with my brother and niece...

2011-06-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

We went punting in Cambridge and it was amazing!
What a beautiful place~
I love the college buildings, they are so old and amazing.
The guide even let my niece and I try it~
Truly an incredible experience.

Europe...

2011-06-24T17:04:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to find the words to explain this trip~ To explain what it meant to me. The words that continuously come to mind are "the trip of a lifetime", but I don't want to think of it like that because I want to travel more and have amazing experiences like this and see more of this incredible world we live in.
So I want to say instead that it was the "exactly the trip I needed in this one small chapter of my life"

The death of my mom was the most devastating thing I could have imagined in my life~ The nearly two years that have followed have not been easy to say the least.
There have been life changes, loss, more loss.
Uncertainty in many things.
Confusion on how to move forward in my life...
Without her...
This trip came up somehow, like a gift from her~
I think she knew how much I needed it.
How much I needed to know that I would be ok.
How much I needed to believe in myself again.
How much I needed to find forgiveness, from myself.

My first stop was Cambridge, England~
I was with my brother and my niece in England. Here are some pictures of the beauty of Cambridge.
More posts to come.

I am working on my trip photos~

2011-06-23T17:41:00.000-07:00

For now...
Flowers from the market in Cambridge, England!

Home renovation surprise!

2011-06-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

Here is an awesome video of the home renovation that happened while I was gone, and at the end it is followed up with my reaction when I can home after being awake and traveling for 30 hours. I had a 4 hour layover that was followed up with a 5 hour flight delay so my midnight arrival turned into 5:00am!
This video is so amazing! I love it!
How in the world I got so lucky to have these amazing friends, I will never know....
Thank you again guys!

11 things...

2011-06-14T17:34:00.000-07:00

Travel photo challenge!
Before I left on my trip my friends and I gave each other a photo challenge. I was going to Europe, they were going to Hawaii.
We chose 11 things that we had to try and take a photo of.
Here are my 11 things...
1st ~ Door lock
(self explanatory)

2nd ~ Your name
This stood out to me since my nicknames are Tiffers and Tifferoneous

3rd ~ Kids
Yea, just some kids in England, they seem like classmates of Harry Potter.

4th ~ Shoes
I took this really quick while I was having dinner, the red shoes just grabbed my eye and I snapped the shot.

5th ~ Self Portrait
I only got this photo of myself taken by myself, I thought about some other ideas but never ended up doing any so this will have to do~

6th ~ Stars
Can't get any bigger of a star than The Pope!

7th ~ Local Favorite ~
Wine and Olive Oil, more on this later!

8th ~ Hawaiian for me (Italian for them)
Gotta love Pineapple!

9th ~ BIG
This was taken from miles away, it really is so big!

10th ~ little
This car is so tiny! Smaller than a smart car!

11th ~ Cute guy :)
I took this for the outfit, but it ended up working for the challenge too, he has nice eyes!

While I was out....

2011-06-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

I have just returned home from an amazing 3 week journey through Europe~ I will post all about it once I have had a chance to go through all of my photos and sort things out.
But in the meantime, I wanted to post about what my friends did to my home while I was gone.
They had my house professionally cleaned, they rearranged furniture, they did so much yard work...
and painted my entire kitchen and back landing area and took my cabinets from an old out of date brown to a beautiful white!
I got home after a 5 hour delay and about 30 hours of traveling home and they were here at 4:45am ready to surprise me. They all had to work that day too.
I was so surprised and overwhelmed with emotion, I am not sure I thought what I was seeing was real.
I am a very lucky person, surrounded by such amazing people.
I have no words to express how grateful I am to them for all of the hard work they put into my home and making it cozy and beautiful.
Here is a before shot of the kitchen from last year....

And here is the after....

Thank you....
Becky
Andy
Jason
Charles
Rosa
Lana
Lindsey

2011-05-19T18:40:00.000-07:00

The quote from my last post....
"Go forth seeking adventure.
Open your eyes, your ears, your mind,
your heart, your spirit and
you'll find adventure everywhere."
is how I am trying to move forward in this journey of life.
I approach an upcoming trip with excitement, fear, happiness, adventure, and slight sadness that I cannot call my mom to share it with her.
This life is an interesting one~ You never know what tomorrow will bring or what twists and turns you will encounter and where the roads will lead.
But I will try with all my might to live, laugh, love and enjoy the journey.
I have packed a few things, most importantly a journal from my best friend, a few books, comfortable shoes, my camera and and open heart and mind. This will be my first trip to Europe. Most will be done on my own~
I am hoping to grow and learn about myself, about the world, about the past and future.
I am filled with fear and excitement and curiosity and hope.
I will post about it all when I return!
I would not have been able to do this without the love and support of my wonderful family and amazing friends and most importantly, my mom!
Thank you for being part of my journey! I am truly a lucky woman...

"Wherever you go, go with all your heart." ~ Confucius

Amazing words....

2011-05-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

Saw this quote the other day~
Thought I would share :)

"Go forth seeking adventure.
Open your eyes, your ears, your mind,
your heart, your spirit and
you'll find adventure everywhere."

I am currently reading

2011-05-14T21:29:00.000-07:00

this amazing book~

Have you read it?
What an amazing story so far. I am on page 180. I have learned to much over the past year about History just from the books I have read. I love it.
What are you reading?

Mothers Day.....

2011-05-06T17:20:00.001-07:00

I greet this holiday with love and sadness~
Love for my beautiful Mother!!
Thankfulness that I got nearly 34 years with her before she died. I say those words still not believing that it is true.
I am Thankful that I am lucky enough to be her daughter.
To have laughed with her
and cried with her
and to love her and be loved by her...
To learn from her
and grow because of her
and love her so much to miss her this much...
I am so grateful that she is my Mother...
And that I am her daughter...
Even though she no longer walks on the earth along side me, she lives in my heart every moment!
I greet the holiday with sadness because it is not right that such an amazing person was taken from the world so soon.
She was such a blessing to everyone who crossed her path in this beautiful life.
Happy Mothers Day to all of the wonderful Mothers out there. I am not a mother myself but I know what an incredible job it is! I admire all of you so much!
Happy Mothers Day to my beautiful Mother, Rena~
She is the reason that this day is celebrated!!

Starting over....

2011-04-27T20:22:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this?~ I love it...

When you can't beat it.....

2011-04-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

When there is nothing you can do to control the rain that continues to fall...
Buy rain boots! :)

A tour of the city with my camera!

2011-04-25T05:30:00.000-07:00

Last Tuesday my friend Nicole and I went on a "photo walk" through the city. It was fun to discover things I had never even noticed in the city I have lived in for 36 years!
Here are a few shots from the day~

And one that Nicole shot of me!

We did it!

2011-04-22T18:32:00.000-07:00

What an incredible experience!!
13.1 Miles~
I think this has to be one of the best experiences of my life~
And by far one of my top accomplishments!
It has only been 5 and a half months since we decided to start running to train for a 5k~
We pushed the limits we had set upon ourselves ~ and we did it.
I don't think I had ever run for more than 3 minutes in my life before this journey began!
I suppose that we are what limits us, we are who decides what we can or cannot do~ I have a long way to go in learning these lessons but this was a huge first step!
I am very proud of both of us!
Here are some photos for the day~
(they are not glamor shots by any means) :)
(And yes, there were tears, even before I hit the finish line):)
It started to lightly rain just as we were near the finish line and it made me think that it was my mom looking down on us and crying, letting me know she was proud!
It made my entire day!! I would not have been able to do this without the strength she shares with me every day!

My amazing friend Becky came down to watch us finish~ She brought us each one beer because it is suppose to replenish the things you burn on your run~ it was so awesome to have her there to cheer us on, along with Heathers husband Travis and their daughter Maquel!!

My other amazing friends Andy and Jason put this on my front door! When I came home it was waiting for me! :)
I am surrounded by wonderful people!

It's here....

2011-04-14T19:08:00.000-07:00

In less than 36 hours I will lace up my shoes, double check the list of things I think I should take, patiently wait by the front door until they get here to pick me up..... And nervously head to the start line of the 13.1 Mile Salt Lake City Half Marathon.....
I cannot believe it is here already.
Anticipation comes to me in the middle of the night~ I wonder how in the world I got here...A runner....One of the only things I know I can identify myself as in the current moment of my life, not much else is clear these days.
I cannot wait to stand next to my best friend and look at her and smile and know that this is how we have gotten this far in our 36 years on earth. She has been by my side since I was 15 years old. Standing next to me through all of the good and the bad, through all of my mistakes and lessons, through the laughter and tears...
I will look at her that morning before we cross the starting line and know that I am such a lucky person to have her in my life.

(picture taken about 5 years ago, we need an updated photo)!

Heather, I am so proud of you~ Thank you for jumping on board with me last Fall when I asked if you wanted to start running and train for a 5K~ I am so grateful for the time we have spent over the past 5 and a half months, pushing ourselves to this moment. Even when the running turned into walking, where we simply talked about life.
I cannot tell you how proud I am of you and how grateful I am for you in my life!
We will cross the start, and the finish line together!
Thank you for your support in my life over the past 21 years!
I love you and I am so thankful for you!
And I am so very proud of you!

Dear Vulnerability~

2011-04-09T05:30:00.000-07:00

It is nice to meet you. I did not realize we had not met before, but it has become more clear to me lately.
I will try to know and understand you more and how you relate to me and my life.
Thank you for being here~
Sincerely,
Tiffany

A friend of mine shared this video with me last week and I simply loved it.
What a great message~ lots of great messages!
A few of my favorite points were....
~Tell the story of who you are with your whole heart~
~Let go of who you think you should be, to be who you really are~
~Have the courage to be imperfect~

Hope for the flowers...

2011-04-08T05:30:00.000-07:00

And for the rest of us!!
Spring is trying to shine upon us~ Glimpses of hope break through the cloudy, stormy, snowy days~ It is just around the corner, I know it....
When I was about 7 or 8 years old my mom took me to see a play "Hope for the Flowers" ~ I remember sitting on the floor in the very front of the theater. I imagine she bought this book that night.
I have it now and have read it a few times over the past few months. What a precious gift to have after all these years. My mom continues to give to me in silent ways every single day. I am so very grateful that I had her as my mother. She was the most amazing person on earth.

Thank you Jamie...

2011-04-07T05:30:00.000-07:00

A wonderful friend of mine, Jamie, sent this to me in the mail last week.
Although we have never "met" she has been such a key support in my life during such difficult times~When she is down and struggling, she thinks of others. She is such a kind and Generous person.
Thank you Jamie!

Dragonfly lights....

2011-04-06T05:30:00.000-07:00

One of my coworkers and his wife bought me these amazing lights when they discovered my love of dragonflies and what they mean to me~
The lights are now on my mantle.
They are the perfect addition to help warm the room.

Dear Camera~

2011-04-05T20:43:00.000-07:00

I promise to use you more this year~
I know I have neglected you over the past few years~ I have set you aside from my own creative needs.
I cannot wait to put you around my neck and wander my city and find new things and learn more about myself in the process~
~Tiffany

Another sewing class....

2011-04-04T19:36:00.001-07:00

Another new project!
I am hoping to make the green dress with this cute black and white polka dot fabric~
Wish me luck! :)

10 miles!!!

2011-04-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

The half marathon is coming in less than 2 weeks now~ Yesterday we ran 10 miles!!!
Something I never in a million years thought I could do~ I suppose we set up our own limitations in life and I am so happy to break through some of them!
I took the biggest nap after the run but I feel great~
I'll post more of the Half if we can get some photos~
13.1 miles.... here we come!!

Another amazing quote....

2011-03-28T06:37:00.000-07:00

If I had a single flower for every time I think about you
I could walk forever in my garden.
~Claudia Ghandi
I found it on Chasity's beautiful blog~

I FLEW!!

2011-03-27T05:53:00.000-07:00

My friends and I tried this yesterday~
IFLY....

It was AWESOME! I wish I had pictures to share but I don't~ If I can post the video on here at some point I will~ But if you ever get the chance to try this, DO! ~ It is AMAZING!

There are days like these......

2011-03-23T19:39:00.000-07:00

Where I miss her even more~ Where I wish that I could call her and talk to her and cry to her and have her tell me things will be ok ~ And that the decisions I am faced with in life are the right ones for me even though they can be so very hard....
I want to call her and hear her voice today... and every day. There is simply no good reason that I cannot do that.
I miss her~ I miss her~ I miss her~ I don't face that enough...
I put a smile on my face and get up and go to work and pretend that things are fine, even when they are not ~ because that is the way the world works. Nothing stops for death and sadness or loss of any kind. It just keeps going and we are only given the option to move forward...
I ran across these words in a book the other day and grabbed my journal to write them down because they could not be more true....
"sorrow is a solitary road" (Isabel Allende in Paula)

4 More days until actual Spring!!

2011-03-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

This weekend was beautiful and warm, with sights and sounds of Spring emerging and showing signs of hope.. I tried to take it all in~
Today is raining and it also may snow, but I am trying really hard to think of it as helping to make Spring more beautiful and colorful when it finally arrives....
I cannot wait!
I took these photos a few years ago~ but they are a reminder of what is to come and... Man, am I ready!!!!

100 years....

2011-03-06T09:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday my beautiful grandma turned 100 years old.
This is my dads mother~ Ezna Greene!
She was born on March 5th 1911~ Can you imagine all the changes she has seen in her lifetime...
It amazes me~
She is the sweetest thing~ So smart and witty!
I am so lucky to have her in my life! She is the only grandparent I have ever known~ I love her so much!
Happy Birthday Grandma~

There were so many people there to see her that I had to sneak in and have my cousin take a photo of us! I felt like I was attempting to get my photo taken with a celebrity! :)
She said her secret to living such a long life is just to be happy! Not to worry about things and be happy!

A pitcher for her...

2011-03-02T16:43:00.000-08:00

I painted this pitcher for my mom for Mothers Day in 2000, it now sits atop my fridge~
Reminding me that I am her daughter and I do have talent like she did and I need to use it more often.
With all of my heart I wish it still stood in her kitchen for her to enjoy~
But I think she would be happy knowing that I see it everyday, along with all of her beautiful artwork that warms my home and I think of her~ always....

I ran across this quote tonight

2011-02-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

And thought I would share...
"Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from."
Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Hope...

2011-02-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

When the prospect of tomorrow can seem overwhelming, you must look for Hope in the little things...
Every year I watch this tree for the first signs of Hope...Spring!
I was so happy to see the beginnings of Hope today.

18 months....

2011-02-19T06:36:00.000-08:00

I remember this day last year wondering how we had made it through 6 months without my beautiful mom. I cannot believe an entire year and a half has gone by without her.

I'm looking at a photo of you, mom. Wondering how I got to be so lucky in this lifetime to be your daughter.
You are loved and missed equally as much today as the very first day you were gone.
Sometimes I still wonder how in the world I can go on another day without you, though I know I have to~ We continue to get up and face each morning with a huge piece of ourselves missing. It is hard to describe to someone else. But the loss of you is so great that I feel it inside my heart every single minute or every single day.
I know that I have to continue to adjust my life without you physically here, but it is only because I know you are always with me that I can do anything!
I love you mom~
Always your daughter,
Tiffany