100 Things About Me # 55 ... Art Night Is One Of My Favorite Girls Night Traditions

My closest friend Karen lost her husband Kenny to cancer about 8 weeks ago, being there for her while still allowing her plenty of space has been a bit of a challenge. We spent the evening together last night, we did art night for the first time since Kenny got sick, for so many years it was part of our weekly routine.

Actually last Tuesday was our first night, Paulette was there too but we did not paint even though we did intend to. Last night however … we actually put color on paper, good for us. Next week we will drum.

I told Karen about David’s new job and about his new schedule, she wasn’t really in the mood to be extra supportive, the conversation just kind of drifted across the table as we were both focused on what we were painting. She did look up for a minute though, when I mentioned that the shift in schedule had me pretty out of sorts and that maybe it was time to consider moving on.

She abruptly said “Move on to what? Going online and to singles dances like Becky?” I replied “Absolutly not” “OK then” she said as we both went back to what we were doing. That was supportive enough for the moment. Of course it’s not time to move on, it’s just time to make some adjustments.

I did not take any photos last night but the one above is from an art night years ago ... always interesting that even when we are basically painting the same thing, we get two totally different results. Large one is Karens, small one is mine.

100 Things About Me # 54 ... Thursday Night Has Been Date Night For A Long Long Time

David started a new job this week that has officially put an end to a tradition that has lasted for many years ... Thursday Night Date Night!

We have always arranged our schedules to allow for something fun to do together on Thursday nights, staying out late has never been an issue because neither of us ever has to get up early on Friday morning to rush off to work.

We never skip Thursday night unless one of us is out of town. We live 35 -40 miles apart so it does take quite a bit of effort for us to make time for each other.

Yesterday was my first Thursday Night without a date in ages and such a nice thing happened to me on my way home from work.

Jenn (David's Daughter) called and she said “I just want you to know that if I still lived in Florida, I would so pick up my father’s slack and become your new Thursday Night Girl. We could hang out, drink margaritas or do whatever you wanted to on Thursday Nights, now that he’s not available"
I told her I was on my way to the Whole Foods Market and then off to Barnes & Noble to scan the something new to focus on isles. She suggested I might want to choose someplace other than ones her father and I frequent.
I thanked her for her thoughtfulness; really … it was delightful to get that phone call from her on my first Thursday Date Night without her Dad.
Pretty soon we were off on another conversation but I was truly touched by her thoughtfulness. That girl and I need each other.
I have two daughters, a grand daughter and one very tall and handsome son ... they all live so far away. Jennifer is likely to be the only other Daughter I'll ever get, I hate that she and her kids live so far away too.

100 Things About Me # 53 ... David's Daughter And I Are Friends

I know you are feeling upset and hurt. I would like to remind you that you already have all of the inner strength and wisdom you need to get the things you want in life. Maybe you don't have all of the answers at the moment, but it's probably because you haven't taken time to figure out what the questions are yet.


I'm not as concerned as some folks are about what you are going through I recognize it ... I've been where you are, I've felt what you feel and I know that it's your authentic self calling for a sense of direction.

My hope for you is not that you hush the voice because it seems a bit out of control, tucking away the yearnings until the timing seems right ... instead I hope that you listen closely to it and learn to let it guide you to a life filled with more contentment and less distress.

Be careful though, not to take out your discontentment on those around you, I don't think it's time to run, instead open up your awareness and reflect on how much is already yours.

xoxoxo Coy

100 Things About Me #52 ... My Closest Childhood Friend is Lisa ...

3/19/10

You and I were young girls together ... best friends, inseparable, sharing so many secrets and dreams. My memories and your memories are so in twined. We went to school together, both played the clarinet in the band, we joined Civil Air Patrol together, sometimes we skipped school and went to the beach instead together. The very first Manatee I ever saw in the wild was on the dock in your back yard while I was waiting for you to finish dinner. I'm glad you didn't hurry that night.

It took forever, but finally we grew up and went our separate ways. I moved from Florida to New Iberia and was delighted to find you moved to Lafayette just 20 minutes away, at least for a little while. We became mothers together, paths crossing on occasion you with 5 and me with 3 we nearly had enough for a baseball team. I came home, then you moved away. How Ironic!

Children are grown now, we are both career women with deeply grounded lives of our own. You there and me here ... separated by so much distance and time. But for two hours last night we had the rare opportunity to visit. Barnes and Noble and then dinner at Carrabbas ... laughing hard and sharing memories from a life time. Thanks for making time to catch up, we will have to do it again soon. North Carolina isn't all that far away.

* Coy *

100 Things About Me #51 ... I Sometimes Spend The Weekend in Atlanta ...

David and I spent the weekend in Atlanta with my Daughter and new Grand Daughter. The visit was short but sweet. I do hate that they live so far from home but they are coming home for Thanksgiving, I will see them again in two weeks. This is Mailei Rayne not waving good bye but waving “I’ll see you in 2 weeks Grandma.

This is my first grand child and there are no words to describe the amount of love I feel for this brand new little girl. “See you in 2 weeks Maelei Rayne.

100Things About Me #50 On 10/02/09 I Became A Grandmother ...

10/2 My daughter lives in Atlanta her Due date was not until October 26th but her blood pressure has been high due to a reaction to substances found in the placenta (Pre-eclampsia). Her Doctor admitted her into the hospital this morning for a 24 hour watch and some testing to make sure the baby is developed enough to deliver her now if needed.

That is exactly what they are going to do … they will move her into delivery room anytime now and induce labor, that could take a couple of hours or it could take 24, either way I will be leaving shortly. Do not want to miss her arrival.
Will update when possible and will bring back new photos for sure. * Coy *

10/6 The baby arrived perfectly, just a few hours before I made it to Georgia. Mother and baby are both doing great … just wish I could say the same for Grandma. Last week (Friday) I acquired a mega head cold and missed my first day of work on about 12 years. I went back to work on Monday (a little soon I might add) ended up going home a little early on Tuesday and then on Wednesday, I woke up with Pink Eye … yes Pink Eye.

I went to the Dr she gave me antibiotics and eye drops and said that I should be able to go back to work on Friday, I told her it was important to have a speedy recovery because my daughter Mandy would be giving birth to my first grandchild within the next 3 weeks and I have to be there for that.

As you read above, Mandy’s Dr put her in the hospital for observation and testing on Thursday and decided by Thursday evening that they would induce labor. I called my work and made arrangements to have my 2 weeks off and decided to drive to Atlanta with the hopes that by Friday, my eye would be better and I could be there with Mandy during this exciting but scary time.

Atlanta is about a 12 hour drive and I knew I did not feel well enough to drive so I asked David if he would consider driving with me and then flying back on Sunday … he said of course, I knew he would say of course. I can always count on David.
We left home at midnight and drove all night, by Friday morning it was quite obvious that this Pink Eye thing was not getting better and that there was no way I would be seeing the baby right away. Instead of going to my daughters house, David and I checked into the hotel where my son -in -law works, he was able to get us the employees rate. We figured that Sunday would be day #5 for the pink eye and all would be well. No such luck.

When I woke up on Sunday, the other eye was now infected and I looked like I had just been through a heavy weight boxing match … almost thought I should have David go out for a raw steak for me to put on my eyes. I had to decide whether to try to tuff it out a few more days and hope to see the kids by Thursday, that would mean another couple hundred bucks in hotel stay, and the hassle of trying to find a doctor to see me in Atlanta with no guarantee that I would be better even then. The other option would be for David not to fly out that night but for the two of us to drive back home together so I could see my own Doctor on Tuesday. That’s what we did and today is Tuesday on my way to the doctor in a little while to see if we cant get this thing taken care of for good.

I did get to see the baby through the glass at the hospital, they brought her close so I could watch her sleep, stretch, smile and cry a bit … I was also on the phone with my daughter on and off through the entire labor process. Kareem (baby’s father) and Stephanie (Mandy’s best friend) were there with her the entire time, they never left her side except for some shift work sleeping. David did get to see Mandy and he did get to hold my Grand Daughter Maelei Rayne for a little while … Mandy said Kareem was so excited to see David, he handed him the baby and said Maelei … this is your Grandpa … go to Grandpa …

David is not really the Grandpa, at least not yet … but we have been best friends for a whole lot of years. One thing for sure is, he is really good to my daughter, my grand daughter and to me and that means a lot. We were there on Stone Mountain for a couple of days and really enjoyed having so much time together. I had to wear sunglasses when we went out in public because of my eye and every single time … all three days … he would put his sunglasses on when we went somewhere too, even if it was 9:00 PM on a rainy Sunday evening. I never asked him to do that (well not until he had already been doing it for a couple of days) That my friends .. was truly an authentically unique way to say I love you, without even saying a word.
* Coy *

100 Things About Me # 49 Today I Just My First Sale On Red Bubble

I made my very first sale at Red Bubble, it's a greeting card with my Funky Flamingo Dance Photo on it. Please stop by and visit me at the link below ...

http://www.redbubble.com/people/danceintherain/art/3668420-2-funky-flamingo-dance