Exhale in Kansas

Nephew Chris called his dad last night. He is ok....again! I can give a big sigh and start all over again. At least this day is going to be a good day for me! Hugs, prayers and lots of love to Chris in Iraq!
Happy today in Kansas. Colleen

Waiting for news

"waiting is the hardest part" Haven't heard from nephew Chris for awhile now. I don't think his mom, dad or sister has either. I can't describe the feeling I have, just waiting for someone to say they have heard from him. It's kind of like you are holding your breath, for days and days, and when someone finally says they have heard from him or he posts something on his blog, you actually feel the relief, like finally breathing and letting it all out. I want that feeling right now. Someone once said that no news in good news. I don't agree with that at all. When you have a loved one in the face of danger every day, like our troops in Iraq, no news could be bad...very bad.
Waiting to exhale in Kansas. Colleen

Marked person

I am, officially, a marked person. I have a tattoo!! What!!?? Yes, that's right. I have a tattoo. I know it's hard to believe for those of you who know me. What would possess an almost 52 year old woman to do such a thing to her body? I don't know if I really have a good answer for you, but it's good enough for me. It's my memorial to my mother. I have been thinking about doing this for a long time now, but just kept putting it off because I just wasn't sure. Well, I was finally sure, so on July 9th, 2007 I let this funny little guy stick needles into my wrist, thousands of times, over and over again, using several different colors of ink. It took about 20 minutes, and before you ask, yes IT HURT!!! Don't let anyone tell you different. It's kind of like getting stung by a thousand bees, over and over again. I guess it just depends on your tolerance for pain. And it's true what they say....once you get one, you are hooked. I'm ready to go back! It was actually a mother/daughter experience. Ashley also got a tattoo on her ankle. She too is ready to go back. Not for another one, but to add to the one she got. It's crazy!!
When it's my time to leave this life, people will know that, if nothing else, I loved my mother. Just look at my right wrist. Tattooed in Kansas. Colleen

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Happy 4th of July to every red blooded American. Get yer' firecrackers cracking and your sparklers sparkling and don't forget your bombs bursting in air! Me...I have to work, which if you think about it, it's not that bad. I get paid time and a half and that's what everyone strives for.....more moolah!! Also, it doesn't hurt that it's going to be pretty hot outside and I get to sit in air conditioned comfort! Yeah for America...the land of the free and home of Japanese AC!!
Keeping cool in Kansas. Colleen

This and That

It's a wonderful day is Kansas. My nephew called his dad last night about 11:30. Another big sigh of relief from all of us. He said they had been to a shopping area in Baghdad that reminded him of Georgia. It's amazing to think that after all that's happened over there, that there could still be any kind of normal life going on. Guess the people are used to all the bombings and are able to eke out bits and pieces of a normal day to day existence. I just can't imagine! Anyway, what's important today is that Chris was ok, again.
The days are quickly winding down....only 4 more days until our sale. I talked to my aunt yesterday and I told her the hardest thing about selling the house and then having to go through this sale is that it brings an end to my parents lives. As long as that house was standing there, with all their belongings still in it, it was like they were still there. It's hard to explain my feelings, but it makes me sad. It's been a very stressful period in my life and I guess it's time to let go. She said that we will always have the memories......so true.
Sad in Kansas, but glad to be in Kansas. Colleen