21 Years!

21 Years Ago (April 16, 1994).

We got married after dating for almost three years.

Today.

We have been through so much and survived. We've changed so much; and yet, I think we are together stronger than ever.

Happy Anniversary to us.

20th Anniversary: Fredericksburg {Part II}

{Part I can be found here}.

On the second day, we attended the Texas VW Classic. Let me tell you, I was in Bug Heaven! I have always adored the VW Beetles and Buses. I have never seen so many bugs and buses in my life! I was overwhelmed! Below is only a small portion of the somewhat large event.

Bunches of Bugs (or Beetles)

I found Herbie! Ha!

Actually, he was one of a few at this event. You can see another Herbie to the left of this one. The old look is my favorite.

Buses!

Cars, cars, and more cars! All VW classics.

More Bugs (or Beetles)

I believe this was one of my favorites at the event. Why?

Because I fell in love with the matching barbecue trailer!

More Buses!

We did not see very many of these VW buses or pickup hybrids. Very unique.

I had a blast exploring this event and even picked up a souvenir t-shirt. All in all, it was a wonderful weekend.

20th Anniversary: Fredericksburg {Part I}

We celebrated our 20th anniversary with a weekend in Fredericksburg, Texas. We barely managed to book a hotel four weeks in advance due to the fact that it was Easter weekend along with a major Texas VW Classic event. The monthly Trade Days was also happening that weekend. But, we found a hotel that had four rooms left! It was a very nice hotel and I do believe we will stay there again someday.

It was a wonderful weekend. At least, it was wonderful for me. We first went to Wildseed Farms. Spring is absolutely beautiful at this place. I did not take a whole lot of pictures due to the fact that we had a beautiful spring on our own land.

The rare Pink Bluebonnet. These are found growing wild in clusters in only a few locations throughout Texas. You can almost always see one or two growing at Wildseed Farms in the springtime.

California Poppy (orange), Verbena (lavender), Corn or Flanders Poppy (red)

Some kind of gorgeous thistle

White Bluebonnet, Bluebonnet, Verbena

After we explored Wildseed Farms and purchased a few things, we went shopping on downtown's Main Street. We also went antiquing. While on Main Street, we saw many Classic VW vehicles. They actually had a road trip through downtown to show off their cars.

It was a long and wonderful day!

Eighteen Years

Has it really been eighteen years? Here is a short condensed version of how we first met.

I started working for a company February 27th, 1989. Dan showed up working in April that year. We first were coworkers. And then, we ended up on a bowling league together that Fall with a few co-workers and friends. In the process, we got to know one another and became good friends.

Our first date was on July 22nd, 1990. We went to see Ghost playing in the theater. We dated for over three years before we tied the knot on this day in 1994. We have been through so much and survived.

I am so lucky to have this man in my life. May we have many more years together.

Wordy Wednesday

{photo credit: Dan}

This picture was also taken during our anniversary weekend. The gardens on Main Street in Fredericksburg, Texas had a few statues and plaques and this was one of them. I thought it would be humorous to pretend smoking the "peace pipe". Right?

[knocks on computer screen]

Hello?

Pictorial Monday: Anniversary Weekend

On April 15th, we went away to a Bed and Breakfast located on the outskirts of Fredericksburg, Texas. I had snagged a free night stay via Groupon last year and we decided to make reservations for our anniversary weekend. We stayed in the smallest of the rooms at the place.


It is the cutest little apartment over a garage with a nice little seating area outside.


Coffee and Tea is available. Breakfast is delivered daily. There is a small refrigerator and microwave.

The cutest tiny toilet closet I have ever seen.


This cat visitor is always outside on the balcony.

We spent Saturday at a Peddler's Market where I ended up blowing some money. We also went shopping on Main Street in Fredericksburg. And yes, I blew some money there too. Our last stop for the day was in the gardens located right on Main Street.






We grabbed a microwavable dinner and crashed for the night. Actually, we shared the dinner and then ate some delicious chocolate cake we had bought from a bakery on Main Street.

We then hung around outside for a bit and had some visitors.


This little fellow absolutely basked in the attention we gave him. He is one of two dogs and three cats living on the property.


And, deer by the dozens came up to feed. Apparently, they come up every evening to feed on the grounds.




Wait! That is a cat. He was calmly watching the deer feed. {The silver in the foreground is the railing on the balcony.}

We went shopping in Comfort, Texas on the way home. This is where we found that old desk we are "restoring" to use as a nightstand. Comfort, Texas is most likely going to be the new place to go junking (antique shopping). I loved the small little town and antique stores.

It was a wonderful getaway. We need to do this a little more often. Although, I cannot see spending that much money for a room. Maybe at a hotel; but, not at a B&B.

17 Years

How in the world has it been 17 years? Wow! It will be 17 years this Saturday and we have known each other for about 20. I find it unbelievable. Where has the time gone?

Dan has been my steady rock throughout the years and I love him so very much. We are not perfect by any means; but, we have survived many trials that would have wrenched many a marriage apart. But, love and commitment towards one another sustained us throughout the rough times.

We normally do not celebrate big on our anniversaries. However, this year is going to be an exception. I snagged a Groupon last year for a free night at a bed and breakfast in the surrounding area. So, we are going away for several days beginning tomorrow. I am so looking forward to going!

Dan created the following video two years ago for our 15th Anniversary. I still enjoy watching it very much from time to time. Some of you have already seen it; but, many of you have not. So, I am sharing it here. Enjoy.

Anniversary - Two Years

1931 - 2009

1997 - 2009

I have been meaning to write; but sometimes, I just cannot. It is not writer’s block. It is avoidance. I do not desire to get to the heart of myself at times. I absolutely dislike crying. I will avoid doing so if I can.

The last two years held plenty of crying – grieving the loss of my dad. And then, my Mother first fell on the anniversary of my Dad’s passing. She then fell again several weeks later in which she fractured a lower vertebra and ultimately lost her independence. In the midst between the two, I lost one of my cats, Calvin. His life ended suddenly and quickly. It was a terrible time for me as he hid his sickness until the very end. I missed all the signs. As a result, I felt so guilty about him for the longest time.

Today marks the two year anniversary of my Dad’s passing. I almost could not stand to see him lie there slipping away in his sleep when the Morphine kicked in. He told us all he loved us. And, he spoke personally to my Mother. And then, he slipped away into sleep. I certainly could not stay there and watch him pass away. I will never forget the screaming going on in my mind while watching him. And, here I am crying again.

It took me two years to process my grief.
Two years to internalize all that was said and done.
Two years of fight and flight – ‘dealing with’ and ‘avoidance’.

During these two years, I came to peace with Dad’s passing,
peace over Calvin’s circumstances and passing,
peace about Mother and the fact she’ll not return home.

I miss my dad. I miss my mother’s presence in her house. I miss the constancy of knowing I had a childhood home to return to and that my folks would be there – especially over the holidays.

The one constant in life is change. Changes are inevitable. I know that there will be more changes in this year. But, that doesn’t mean I like them – I never did. However, I am coming to an acceptance.

Let come what may. I will no longer fight. I am at peace. Yes, I still grieve. Yes, it still hurts – tremendously. But, as of this moment, I am at peace and all is well.

And, that is a good thing. Right?