Hi everyone,
First of all, I wanted to tell Ingrid how sorry I am for the loss of both your parents so close together. Oh, my goodness, what an almost unbearable thing to happen. Just a few moments ago I read the last of the comments from Friday’s post and saw your comments. You can just come sit on the Sofa but you don’t even have to say a word… just sit and maybe look at some pictures… and maybe you’ll feel a closeness we all share. Maybe you’ll see something or read something that makes your aching heart hurt just a tiny bit less. I am so sorry, Ingrid and I hope you feel the arms of the Lord holding you and squeezing just a little bit tighter than normal. We love you, Ingrid!
Saturday was Susette’s Celebration of Life service and Linda received some pictures I thought might be nice to share.
From Linda:
Pictures from her memorial. That’s her son, Pat talking in the first picture, I see Krish and Riya standing in the second picture, and also in the third picture, plus Rakhi, in the third one.
Linda also received this from Suemae:
Hi Linda,
I created this photo collage for Susette’s Life Celebration.
Please share with her Doll friends.
Suemae
I couldn’t get this to open up by clicking on the picture, but if you hit the control button and the + sign it does enlarge some.
I LOVE what Marilyn wrote in a comment to Linda…
“Knowing how to pose for pictures is a gift. She always had it.”
Thank you Linda and Marilyn and those of you who may have sent a card or even flowers! One of our Sofa Sisters might be missing from the sofa, but she’s still remembered!
Thank you everyone,
Blessings, Jeanne
Tomorrow I’ll share some pictures from “down under!” Guess who that might be… if you don’t know you’ll have to come back and find out…
I see that I wasn’t the only one to comment after Ingrid’s post on Friday’s blog. You have a lot of support here, Ingrid!
Linda, thank you for sharing the pictures from Susette’s memorial. It looks like they had a nice day for the graveside services. (Unlike the Seattle area, where it’s cold and wet right now!) And a big thanks to Suemae for sending Linda the collage of pictures of her mom’s life, and to Linda for sharing that, too. It’s always nice to put a face with a name. I especially love Susette’s high school photo (top row, second from left). Wow! Beautiful!!
Jeanne, I was able to click on the collage picture and enlarge it. Perhaps because I’m doing it on a computer rather than a phone? Or maybe you were able to correct something so it worked? Anyway, I was able to enlarge the picture to look at it better.
How is Reuben doing? I’ve been thinking about him this weekend. I’m hoping he is at least holding his own.
I have to tell you all, the gal in our church who I’ve been teaching to sew wore both her skirt and her apron to our church’s Thanksgiving dinner Saturday! They both looked great on her, and she got lots of compliments. She’s ready to make a blouse next!!
It can be so gratifying to be able to teach someone to sew. Usually. I haven’t had the best of luck. I tried to teach a friend once. She was an amazing artist with paints but could not get the concept of how to make wearing attire. But then I did no better when she tried to teach me to paint. I tried to teach my oldest stepdaughter once but she couldn’t grasp the idea of making a garment “inside out”. Today I’ve seen garments where the seams are laid on top of each other and then stitched leaving fringe-like edges.. They’re calling it shabby chique. Shana would have had a ball with that. For me it just seems weird. My daughter had no interest in sewing until she got to college and took a costume making class. She actually taught me a few tricks. I bought my granddaughter a sewing machine and everything she needed to make a skirt. That was two years ago when she said she wanted to learn to sew. I think it’s all in the back of her closet. But it sounds like you have been gifted with a willing learner who has got talent. I’d love to see some of the pictures of what she has accomplished if that’s okay with her. I would enjoy seeing how she progresses. I remember my sewing journey. Not sure I’d want to share some of those pictures.
Yes, Barbara, I do think Leah has a natural affinity for sewing, as I rarely have to tell/show her something a second time. She grasps things quickly. It’s really fun to teach someone like that, who not only Wants to learn but has the smarts to pick it up quickly! Makes it more fun for both of us!
Dear friends, I see that my last note on Friday did not stay in the blog. I was writing to Linda about how much I enjoyed the train and flowers, and that I did find the two boys. I don’t know if I had forgotten to click on it or what. I was so tired after my sons left, (tears), after tiding up after the party I just rested most of the day and didn’t get back to Y’all. I have read it all this am and will get back to you later as we have to spend most of the day out of town. I have to be with the blog on my computer. I am not that good on my phone. Hugs till later.
Sissy, I do remember reading your comment, and replied to you, all is not lost!
Thank you, Linda, I am sorry I didn’t see your reply. Last week had great times with family, but at my age it was also very tiring. I wasn’t all together!
Happy Monday dear ones. I hope everyone is doing great for a Monday, new start.
Ingrid in Western NY, I read your comment posted last Friday and I am heart broken for you. I know exactly where your are with the amount of grief coming from so many losses. To lose your dear mom and dad within two weeks. Oh my goodness. Those kinds of tragic events can knock the wind out of you. I wish I could hug you. This loss compounded with the loss of sweet adorable pets, is so devastating. I know it, I really do. Please dear friend, go slow and give yourself a lot of rest.
Jeanne, I hope your week-end was calm and restful as well.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos from Susette’s celebration of life.
She was really a beautiful person.
I could send you some photos of my completed quilt top — before I take apart the last row to add three more rows because it just needs to be a bit longer considering all of the creative energy into it. This link to the chat might work https://substack.com/chat/3289560/post/4e176d21-3959-4bfd-afd1-097442f9b2d1. If not I will send a photo.
I have to run off now and go to the retina doctor for a check up. I have a macular pucker – it does have a fancy medical term, but this is what it is.
I hope all of you enjoy a perfect Monday.
Joy, I am hoping you can share photos of your new kids. Your escapades are always really scintillating 😅
Thanks Jeanne, and Linda, for sharing the photos from Susette’s memorial. Looks like it was a pleasant day to say goodbye for the family. I will miss her.
I didn’t check in again to the blog to catch Ingrid’s post Friday. I am so very sorry for the loss of both of her parents. I remember how she was searching for a perfect home so her parents could be accommodated there. Things happen don’t they. A fall, or other health issues can change the world so quickly. Time does help with healing. Memories can be very uplifting as well. I’ll be thinking of her as the journey continues. Take care.
That brings me to Reuben. I thought about him all weekend. Is he doing any better or has he subsumed to his ailments? I’m hoping for the former. Maybe Jeanne, can let us know later if she is able. Such a protogenetic little guy.
The weekend kind of whirled by here. Not the greatest weather with lots of fog and cold wetness. Hoping to finally see some sun today, Only a few beams late yesterday. So, I haven’t been able to get any photos of my latest acquisitions. I’ll see what I can do this morning because like Rosemary, I too have an eye appointment this afternoon which will put me out of commission.
Looking forward to more happy times soon for everyone. What about Thanksgiving? Where are people headed?
When you mentioned how a fall can change the trajectory of a life it made me think of our friend who passed away at the age of 103. She was still living on her own and driving at 100 and was like a person of about 50. But then she had a fall. She recovered fine for the most part but she kept telling the doctor there was something wrong with her neck. He ignored her and for the rest of her life she couldn’t pick her head up. She didn’t live much longer.
I’m a bit late today, but decided on a whim to run to Kohl’s and get there when it opened to do a bit of shopping. That went well, but when it came time to check out an hour later, there was only ONE person working at the checkout lane and maybe 15 in line! So that was time spent in line that I did not anticipate.
Well, I certainly was happy that Suemae sent those pictures, since I was wondering how the memorial went, and I was thinking of them Saturday. Yes, Susette was a very attractive lady, and she had a heart if gold on top of that. I was pleased to see that both of her son’s families were there, since she was actually the last of her relatives, having both parents, brother and sister already gone. I am not sure who all the others were, maybe neighbors. And yes, it certainly looked ,like a beautiful day for an outside service! That’s Southern California for you!
Thank you Jeanne, for showing the pictures of our dear Sofa Sister! May she rest in peace!🙏🏻💕
What wonderful pictures of Susette’s Celebration of Life. She was a very pretty lady. Sure do miss her on the sofa. It is wonderful that Suemae sent Linda the pictures and she sent them for posting on the blog. It was a lovely day.
Well we went Saturday to get me a new bed. It’s become pretty obvious some of my problems are due to my bed. It does not have the support I need. It is a sleep number bed but an older model. It tends to change pressure during the night depending on the temp in the room. Not good for this old(er) body. I went with a semi-firm with a soft top (not a pillow top). It reminded me of the bed I slept in when we were at our favorite motel in Colorado. I get 120 days to make sure it’s what I need. I also got an adjustable base. I went with the best. It has a light massage feature and also the ability for a lumbar support if I need it. My problem is not so much my back as what it does to my legs when my current bed switches pressures during the night. It changes the position of my hips. I’ve been waiting till we sold our soybeans to buy this but putting it off actually was good. I got top of the line on a Black Friday sale and saved myself some money. I also ordered a new headboard from the Mattress Firm website. Since I’m going from a King to a Queen size (hubby needs to sleep in his recliner) I needed a new headboard and I love the one I bought. Unfortunately they only deliver to my area on Thursday and Sunday. Since I couldn’t get on the schedule for yesterday and Thursday is Thanksgiving I have to wait until next Sunday for delivery. Usually my weeks go so fast but I think this one will feel like forever.
Our plans for Thanksgiving Day will be to go to Sean’s for dinner. Dionne is still having problems but seems to do okay when the whole family is around. She’s been diagnosed with adult ADD. She’s actually probably had ADD her whole life and considering her horrendous childhood I’m surprised she doesn’t have worse. We’re all working to help her through this and her sister-in-law is a blessing. She is the only one Dionne will talk to. Everyone else gets negative Facebook posts showing how bad her life is. She definitely needs a Faith Lift. Hopefully the day will go well and Jason, who feels he has to tell her what a problem she has become, will say nothing. David has asked him not to but that’s never stopped him before. I’m getting too old for all this angst so I’m praying for peace. For that I would be eternally thankful.
Looks like we’re finally getting the rain we’ve been promised for weeks. But it wasn’t supposed to start till late this afternoon. Sean and Jason have a water leak situation in the mobile home park and the rain won’t help. We just had a brief shower, but I hope the rest will hold off for a while. But it is thundering like crazy so don’t suspect it will. Hope the boys get the repair done quickly.
Dear friends, I am dealing with some things that are very difficult, having to do with things i had to send out and were given the wrong addresses, important things. I am just overwhelmed trying to deal with all this. Please forgive me I just can’t handle anything else right now. Love to you all and I have been praying for Ingrid. God bless you all.
How nice to see Susette’s Celebration of Life. Thanks for sharing that, Linda.
I am so very sorry, Ingrid. May the Lord wrap His loving arms around you and give you peace. We are all here for you no matter what.
So sorry for your current problems also, Sissy. I hope you get it straightened out.
I hope Reuben is okay and we’ll get an update soon.
Thank you for sharing the pictures of Susette’s Celebration of Life service. It is good to see them. May she rest in peace! 🙏
I am so sorry to learn about the loss of your dear parents, Ingrid! May you feel the presence of God, our Loving Father, very close, and may our Sorrowful Mother comfort you. May they rest in peace! God bless you!
Also prayers for you, Sissy. May the resolution of your problems come quickly!
Dear Jeanne and Dear Linda, thanks for sharing Susette’s tribute in photos with us.
It is so sad to have to say good-bye to loved ones. Even though we know Heaven awaits, we want to clutch them in a tender embrace and never let go. It is hard for us to open our arms and release them. But, of course, we must, because letting go is part of the journey inherent in this life.
And so we release Susette, not with our hearts, she will always remain there, but with our arms. We send her blessings to carry her along as she makes her way to God’s loving arms.
In memory, we reserve a seat for her on Jeanne’s sofa with an embroidered cushion holding these words, “our Sister Susette, loved and missed.”
What sweet words, Dorothy!
Dear Linda, thank you. Sometimes prayers come to me; sometimes poems come to me. This time it was just these few lines. I am sure that Susette is up in Heaven smiling down on us.
Said so well. Amen.
Beautifully expressed, Dorothy! Thank you!
Hi Jeanne
Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. You are all so very sweet and kind, it is very much appreciated.
It was nice to see Susette’s photos. She truly was very photogenic and what lovely red hair she had. We also had a little service this past Saturday for my parents. When my brother passed in 1981 my parents bought three plots at the time so at 11am Saturday morning we brought my parents urns to the gravesite and hubby, our daughter and I read from the bible, took some time to reflect and shed a few more tears.
Poor Sissy! Praying things work out for you.
Thanksgiving will be quiet this year. It’ll only be our daughter, her honey, Dominic, (our youngest grand) and hubby and I. As for plans for the day I am spoiled hubby loves cooking and makes everything on Turkey Day except for the squash.
Thanks again everyone!
Hugs
Ingrid
oops! I meant that I’m the maker of the squash… yum!