In Loving Memory of Mom...: 10/01/2007 - 11/01/2007

Monday, October 29, 2007

Fakes-giving...

Question: What do you get when you take 2 shoppers, 5 cooks (Mia included) and a 16 pound Turkey???

Answer: Fakes-giving dinner.

Okay here’s the story. Mom always made the Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings. She would get up at what seemed like the crack of dawn, make her signature stuffing and get the turkey in the oven all before we woke up. So, where does that leave us? That leaves us with never having made a turkey before let alone buying one. That leaves us with less than 30 days till the big day. That leaves us without a turkey. Where do you get a fresh not frozen turkey the night before Fakes-giving? Hmmm…exactly. After countless stores it dawned on John…Zorn’s. Called them up and sure enough they had some. Okay so now we have the turkey, great!

On to Fakes-giving day (Oct. 28). Off to the stores John & Michael went. We girls, Christine, Lisa and Mia held down the fort at home. The Indians (Bob, Steve & James) were having visions of turkey drumsticks dance in their heads. Our guest Phyllis (Sandi’s Mom) was home waiting for the feast. The pressure was mounting.

Home came the shoppers and it’s off to the kitchen. There was cutting, there was chopping. There was the mixing of the Cheerios (Mia’s part). There was the browning of the sausage. There were tears but most of all there was laughter. Laughter, which filled the kitchen knowing that Mom was looking down on us and laughing her ass off. But you know what, we did it. We actually did it!!! Everything turned our great.

We set the dining room table for what would be the first dining room meal without Mom. Who was to take the head seat, Mom’s seat? Me? No I couldn’t. Leave it empty? Nope, that didn’t seem right. Fill it with one of Mom’s joys…Mia. Yup, that’s exactly what we did. Mom would be happy. I won’t lie…It was hard. Hard to set the table knowing she wasn’t there. Hard sitting down to eat knowing that she wouldn’t be there.

But we gathered as a family around the dining room table and enjoyed a feast that Mom would be proud of. Was she there with us? You bet she was!


~Christine

Click here to see photos of Fakes-giving!!

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Mom's Ornament...



We ordered Mom's Christmas Ornament . Here it is...

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Yes, We renewed it!

Mom's Martha Stewart magazine subsciption renewal came in the mail. Do we renew??? How could we not. She loved the magazine so YES, I renewed it! Here's to another year of Martha!

Monday, October 22, 2007

Oh how I wish just one more time...

I always called my Mom at work during the day, several times at that. What did we talk about... who knows ... anything, nothing at all. I miss that soo much. At work my co-worker calls her Mom throughout the day, basically just to touch base. I so envy her. It's sometimes hard to hear her talking to her Mother. Then again I try to remember when I used to play around on the phone with Mom. If she said something that was hard to believe I would say to her to "shut up" or I would hold down a key on the phone or bang the receiver on the desk. These things she all thought were amusing. I would give anything for one last "shut up" :)

~Christine

Thursday, October 18, 2007

A Heartfelt Card...

We received a card from one of my Mom's dear friends, JoEllen. They grew up together and have kept in contact over the years.

Someone who has truly touched us
will always be close through
memories and the beauty of love.
May the beauty that filled your heart
live on as an enduring presence,
offering you strength and peace.
"I wish you continued strength & Peace as time goes on"
With Much Love,
JoEllen

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

How???

The last two days at lunch time I have gone to my favorite store, Target to look around. They are already starting to phase out Halloween and bring out Christmas. I have to admit that I don't know HOW I am going to get through Christmas. HOW am I suppose to decorate... HOW am I suppose to put on those cheery Christmas songs....HOW am I suppose to.... HOW????

Have no fear though while holding back those tears I was able to purchase my first Christmas decoration of 2007. I bought a new kitchen table cloth with snow flakes on it. All I kept hearing was "Oh, we need that...get it".... so yes Mom, I bought it :)

~Christine

Sunday, October 14, 2007

New Traditions...

Yesterday Mom's Martha Stewart Magazine came in the mail. The issue is for November 2007, making it the Thanksgiving issue. Can you see what it says?

"Thanksgiving's New Traditions"...oh how true that is.

~Christine

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Four months have past...

Four months have past since the day you were called home...

Four months have past without your smile to call our own...

Four months have past since we last heard a word...

Four months have past since you left us alone...

Four months and life still must go on....

Four months have past but the pain is still our own....

We miss you Mom and not a day goes by that you are not on our minds and in our souls.

We love and miss you with all of our Heart & Souls...

~Christine

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Does this ever happen to you ???

Sometimes I can be in the middle of something like work or driving and something just comes over me that makes me sad. I just start to think about Mom and wishing she was here. Sometimes or actually most of the time I just start crying. So, if you see me with a tear in my eye it will be just for a moment. A moment of wishing, of hoping, of praying that Mom was still here.

Does this ever happen to you???

~Christine

Wednesday, October 3, 2007

A song that brings tears to my eyes...

Avril Lavigne: When You're Gone Lyrics ~

I always needed time on my own
I never thought I'd need you there when I cry
And the days feel like years when I'm alone
And the bed where you lie is made up on your side
When you walk away
I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now
[Chorus]
When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear to always get me through the day and make it ok
I miss you
I've never felt this way before
Everything that I do reminds me of you
And the clothes you left, they lie on the floor
And they smell just like you, I love the things that you do
When you walk away
I count the steps that you take
Do you see how much I need you right now
[Chorus]
We were made for each other
Out here foreverI know we were, yeah
All I ever wanted was for you to know
Everything I'd do, I'd give my heart and soul
I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me, yeah
[Chorus]
When you're gone
The pieces of my heart are missing you
When you're gone
The face I came to know is missing too
When you're gone
The words I need to hear will always get me through the day
And make it OK
I miss you

Tuesday, October 2, 2007

A card...

Yesterday John and I received a card in the mail from his brother Eric. The card meant so much to us that I would like to share it with you...hope you don't mind Eric.

The card read:

Most great people have something in common: they all have at least one person in their corner who believes in them. I'm sure I'm only one of many who admire and think the universe of you. I hope you can draw endless energy from knowing that wherever you are, whatever you're going through, there will always be someone to count on. There will always be someone somewhere wishing the best for you, rooting for you in spirit. There will always be someone who thinks of you, cares for you, loves you. That someone is me. ~D. Derrick Barnes

Johnny & Christine~

Just wanted to let you know you have been in my heart and my prayers. I think the world of both of you. Your both so beautiful and giving and I pray that God brings you through these hard times and makes you stronger.

God Bless
~Eric

Nana and her babies...

Nana and her babies...
Gavin, Matthew & Mia with Nana taken Easter Morning 2007