Makeover

I'm all excited about the new look of my blog!  The new play-pretties are from shabbyblogs. com  (There's a link in the upper left hand corner)

All free, easy to install, don't have to know how to code...Something I reeaelllyyy appreciate after fighting with the code on VioletCrownSoap.com for  most of yesterday and half of today....What a treat!  Thanks, Shabbyblogs!  I love my new look!

nostalgia. 5/25/10

with the recent flurry of activity on FB of old high school chums/friends/acquaintances/classmates...and making familial connections with here-to-for unknown relatives, listening to "old" music...waxing quite nostalgic.  Not wishin for the good old days, but almost feeling wrapped up in what was.  Or what I remember, not necessarily the same thing.  But it feels good...

Billy Sunshine

I had a fantastic afternoon today.  I drove to San Antonio and had a 4 hour lunch with four "girls" I knew in high school and junior high.  I've know one since elementary school.  We haven't talked in many many years but have "reconnected' on Facebook and decided to connect up close and personal.  It was amazing, and I'm so glad we did it. 

One of the first things I was asked was "What about Linda?"  My friend Linda and I were so close in junior high and the first part of high school. 

In high school - 10th grade, probably - Linda saw a boy in the hall.  She had a crush on him but didn't  know his name.  Somebody told her it was Billy.  To us, he became Billy Sunshine.  I wrote her/them a poem:

His name
is Billy Sunshine
It fits him
better than William or Bill or Willy
Billy
goes good with him
Sunshine has to
We made it for him
Because that's what
he is for us
brightens our days
a little here
a little there.
And makes them more enjoyable.
And so from the bottom
of our hearts that you have warmed
more than just a little
we thank you
Billy Sunshine.

High school was many, many years ago, but I still remember the poem. I'm pretty sure that's the way it went.  It was a kind of a clap poem - we clapped and said it in rhythm.   His name was Tim.  They married later and had a beautiful daughter.

My dear friend Linda died from breast cancer in January 2008.  We had not been in touch in the last few years, and I read about it several months afterwards.  I miss her, and the friendship we had so many years past.  I am sorry I didn't make the effort to stay in touch.

When the opportunity came to actually see people who I knew so long ago, and rekindle old friendships, I jumped at it.  How could I not?

Linda is, was and always will be one of the most important people in my life.  She was an amazing, beautiful person and I was blessed to spend the time I did with her and her family. 

So take a minute and make a call.  Write a note.  Go for a visit.  Find that old friend.  Make a new one.  Put yourself out there.  Live, laugh, love.

Peace and joy,
Lea

Linda then and always

NEW ROOF

I am VERY excited that we are getting the roof replaced today! Mr Roofer is doing an excellent, noisy job of ripping of the old, bad roof and replacing it with a new, beautiful, non-leaking roof. It is very noisy inside, though. Cats are hiding, except for Oreo, who is protesting. He has such a little tiny meow for such a big cat, and he rarely "talks" to us, so his protests are rather amusing. A few minutes of reassuring hugs settled him down, but he's still not too sure about all the commotion.

I am thrilled, though, despite the racket. Ellis is working diligently to make some rafter repairs and I will be called upon shortly to assist with fascia board replacement. I am also in charge of making sure he has coffee. Couldn't ask for better weather (maybe a few degrees warmer, since Ellis is working in the back where it doesn't get sun til late afternoon) BUT it looks like the men on the roof are comfortable (Shirt sleeves - it's about 45 degrees right now at 9:45).

Every now and then there is a very loud thud up overhead - don't know what that's about - I just hope nobody falls through a soft spot.