God have mercy on her soul ...

Well, Ginna died last night. Not really sure how I feel. I am really glad that her earthly suffering is over. May God have mercy on her soul. Times like these are when you really have to think about what you believe. Ginna died of a horrible disease. I truly hope no one else in our family ever has to suffer through something like this. At least when death came it was quiet and quick.

We all new Ginna so I really don't know what to say to eulogize her. She died the way she lived; by her own rules. She was stubborn and hard headed and did just exactly as she pleased. That is also how she handled her disease. She did it her way! I can honestly say she was brave. I only heard her "kind of cry" twice while talking about it. I actually admire her for refusing a feeding tube and the breathing machine. She did not want to linger any longer than necessary.

We all have so many stories and memories of Ginna. Who can ever forget her Indian name or the way she had with people (like beating them into unconsciousness). She loved traveling and she was the hardest worker ever. She loved her family in her own way and she really loved her dogs! I will never be able to lift a piece of furniture without thinking of her. She helped Sally and I move so many times.

So here's to you Ginna! I hope you are in heaven with our dad right now laughing and hugging. You were a good sister to me and I will miss you terribly. I hope that wherever you are now you find the happiness you so badly wanted while you were here. I love you and I will miss. Rest in peace.

Graduation

Well it's official! Heather is the first in this branch of the family tree to get her MASTER"S DEGREE!!!!! WOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!! We are all so proud of you!!!!!! And what a lovely trip we had to enjoy her graduation. Heather rode home with me on Thursday. Friday morning we swung by Waco and picked up Gran and Sassy. We all enjoyed our trip. Got there with time to spare so Heather had enough time to get beautiful for her walk across the stage. Because of a combination of the last name that I gave her and her college (The College of Visual Arts), she was the VERY LAST person to walk. Oh well, they saved the best for last.

After the ceremony we went to "The Greenhouse" in Denton (http://www.greenhouserestaurantdenton.com/). It is a lovely little resturaunt and we all enjoyed ourselves immensely. The old foggies left early but Heather, Jessie and Whit stayed and partied the night away with their friends.

Saturday we went to the house museums that I like so much. I met the director. We both share an enthusiasm for antique roses. Then we helped Whitney move into her new place. After that we were back to Waco. We went and saw Ginna in the nursing home. Very sad. I hereby absolve anyone of any guilt or repercussions if you shoot me in the head when I get so sick that I have to be placed in a home. Really, just kill me. It was sooooo upsetting to see Ginna in that place. The only saving grace is the fact that she will not be here much longer. May God have mercy on her.

Don't want to end this on a down note. Saturday night Jared drove up and brought the grand dogs. We had a lovely visit with he and Heather. Sally and finished the weekend by going to very good 8 a.m. mass and then visiting with MiMi and Pa. After a trip to IKEA we came home and did almost nothing. Nice ...

Annie Oakley

What a wekeend! This is the first weekend in quite some time that Sally and I did not travel anywhere. We started the weekend by stopping at an Estate Sale in Bellville on our way home from Houston Thursday night. Of course we found more treasures we could not live without. It was very fun. Friday was my first official work from home day. That went well. Whitney paid us a surprise visit Friday night. It was nice to have her in Brenham. On Saturday, I bought Sally a pistol. It is a 1950s Charter Arms 38 Special five shot revolver with a 2' barrel. She was too sick to go with me to get it so I took Miss Whit. The guy asked Whitney if she wanted to shoot it. He stood up a full size silhouette at about 30 feet. Turns out Whitney is a real live Annie Oakley! She fired four rounds 3 of them were heart shots! Two of her shots were so close together that she made a figure 8. It is really fun to discover hidden talents and I was reallyproud of her. I also saw the irony in this situation. Whitney, the most non-violent of our children, would be the one with the best chance of killing someone in fire fight!

After target practice, Whitney went "shopping" in the storage building and the spare bedroom. She is the fourth child that we have outfitted with furniture this month. She and I also stopped at a garage sale. We met the lovliest people. Lorraine is an 82 year old fireball that loves to garden. She was selling plants at her garage sale. Whitney and I loaded up! We really enjoyed meeting Lorraine and her daughter in law. After Whitney left, Sally and I finished the day by weeding the flower bed in front of the garden and planting most of the plants we got from Lorraine.

Finally, Sunday started with the Latin mass. We then went to visit our friend Edna and her daughter Mariann. Mariann owns the Wrigley House Bed and Breakfast in Brenham(http://www.wrigleyhouse.com/). Edna is a 92 year old firecaracker and I just love her. She has such a lovely home and garage apartment. I always leave her inspired to do more at my own home.

Finally, we went to the annual fund raiser for the Brenham Fire Department. What a great time. The fire department cooked a lovely steak dinner. Then we stayed for the auction. We bought a Yaupon tree and a piece of modern yard art. We sat with our State representive Lois Kiolkhorst (http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist13/kolkhorst.php) and her famil. Met other people and ran into friends. Really a nice time and it really does feel like we are becoming a part of the Brenham community.

Decorating II

I cannot believe I forgot to post the pic from our San Marcos trip. Here it is:

Also, here is a pic of the "study" that we set up so I can work at home:

Decorating

Sally and I went to San Marcos last weekend to help Katie and Moose get their new house in order. Chris came over and we had a very enjoyable day. We all worked together to hang pictures and get the place decorated. Then, the kids fixed us dinner. It was REALLY GOOD! Very good grilled chicken, healthy baked potato slices and a lovely little salad. After dinner, Chris had to leave for work so the rest of us headed out for a little DQ treat. After that, Sally and I went to a Spanish mass in Martindale, Texas. We discovered that we are not nearly as bi-lingual as we would like to think we are! We stopped at the Roadhouse Grill in Bastrop on the way home. I really love that place and give it two thumbs way up! Stop by is you have a chance.
http://www.kendrasroadhouse.com/rhmain.html

Sunday was a day for us to get our house in order. We worked all day getting the bedroom and a work area set up. It looks lovely and it is very nice to have a small bit of order restored to our lives. The Popisil's came by with a bottle of wine. It really is nice to have neighbors!