Summer Days

How I love these hot summer days. If only they would last. Hanging around the pool or the lake reading books and drinking ice tea. I decided I better clean the house this morning before I find myself back outside in the heat.

I have been swamped with the book, sending copies out to people who will write comments for the jacket cover. I'm constantly adding or changing a couple of areas to make the book even better. I have it out to potential agents/publishers. Now I just need the perfect one to pick me up. God has a plan and I just need to be patient - but PLEASE HURRY!

I have been helping others in their time of need. I'm glad I can be available for those in times of tragedy. I know the pain well.

I'm Back

Wow! Where has the time gone. In June I helped my husband with our high school tennis camp. When that was over we  went to Hawaii for a week. We had a great time. The weather was perfect unlike home where it continues to be windy.

After Hawaii we stayed at our daughter's and her family for the night and then brought our grandson home with us for a week and a half. We had so much fun playing, football, tennis, baseball, swimming etc. He is 7 and adorable. Reminds me of Matthew. He has so many of Matthew's mannerisms. A joy to have any time. He loves to go to grandmas.

Both our kids, spouses and grandchildren were home to help me celebrate my birthday. We had a great day boating (the hottest day of summer (94!) and BBQ. Then home for cake and ice cream and gifts! Ron's cousin and his wife had us over for dinner with special friends on my actual birthday. My birthday continues as I was taken out to lunch and a cool gift with a great friend. Plus my sister-in-law stopped by with another great gift. I will continue to celebrate next week with a couple other friends.

God is great and He has provided me with very special people. My family is awesome and I love watching the family grow.

I am also back working on my book. I have to find that part that will grab an agent or publishers attention. The Lord will guide me because I cannot possibly do it by myself and my editor.

Until next time. BE SAFE!

God is Great

It has been a tough couple of weeks with a good friends father dying. I've known him for many many years. He was such a great man but the good thing is he is no longer suffering. He suffered from cancer.

I have also been in touch with a couple of people who's husband, son and brother took his life. The pain is great but I feel that through my son's tragic death I can relate to these people. It is nice to talk with someone who really knows the pain. Some people try to help but not living our lives they really don't know the depth of our pain.

God is the only one who can truly help. He has lead me through the writing of my book and I can hardly wait to get it published. I want to help save someone from a terrible tragedy.

May God be with each and everyone of you and especially my new friends who have lost their loved ones to taking ones own life. Be sure to pray because He can help you.

A Busy Time

WE have just completed a week of tennis camp. We had a good group of kids and hopefully they had a fun time. We saw a lot of improvement throughout the week. I'm looking forward to next tennis season. Looks like there are a few good players coming up.

I just received a new book, "My Life For Your LIfe" from my friend and author Clarke Paris. His book is awesome, heartbreaking but a great tribute to some heros, my son Matthew included. Very touching stories of lost lives by their own hand. Both Clarke and I are out to stop this type of tragedy. We want to help people. One friend who also has a story about her son in Clarke's book really touched me. We have only met through Clarke and email. Her son and my son could have been brothers. Same interests, funny habits, etc.

I'm finally out of the dark that I usually find myself in during the month of June. I am very busy with my book hopefully with the final touches. I am so anxious to get it out and to hopefully save a life. But, it must be perfect before that happens.

May God Bless each and everyone of you. Be safe this summer and know that Jesus Loves you.

Dark Days

A week or so before June 1 the fog returns. I am agitated, sad and lonely. June 1 was the six year anniversary of Matt's death. It was tougher this year, not sure why. My husband took the day off and we went to Lake Chelan as our regular routine on that day. We had a nice lunch and then looked at one of the scrapbooks I had made with cards given us that tragic day. We look at a different one every year remembering all the love sent our way. When we arrived home our son and daughter-in-law were at our house. They were digging on our hillside. He had to have his dog put down. I just lost it. But as we went to their home for a BBQ (first time we had been able to share an anniversary with one of our kids) he handed me a picture of Matt and his dog. He said, "Matthew is up in heaven playing with Damian." A bright outlook on a very tough day.

The darkness has continued through this month - not sure why but maybe it is the lousy weather. The one highlight was getting to take care of my grandchildren for four days while our daughter and son-in-law went to Arizona. At least someone got HOT weather! We had a good time. Now, I am back struggling and praying to the Lord for help out of the fog.

Spring

I'm BACK! Computer problems or should I say blog problems! Thanks to a couple good friends my blog is up and running again. Spring has been long, cold, windy and rainy. Tennis season was dampened by that lovely weather. I never knew what to expect but had to prepare for whatever the day brought. Huge skill difference in my players so I had to have two lesson plans. Lots of hard work but the main thing is I love coaching. As the end of spring nears I can't help but wonder what summer will bring. I love hot weather, hanging out at the pool or the lake. This year we are going to Hawaii for a week. Summer isn't my favorite time in Hawaii but my husband can't get off during the school year. At least we should have good weather in case springs weather decides to hang out.

Next blog I will catch you up on what has been happening with my book and the month of June.

Spring

Spring break my husband and I went to Palm Desert. We played tennis almost everyday and hung out at the pool. We visited some friends in Carlsbad and had a fun time.

However, the weather was very disappointing. Only 3 good days, the other days cool, windy and gray - just like at home.

It appears spring might be deciding to appear. It was 71 today as I worked in the yard. Short lived the WIND came up and about blew me off the hill. It is calm now so hope it sticks around. It would be nice to have some warm days for tennis practice as well as our matches! Nothing like the rain coming every time we have a match.

Enjoy Easter as it arrives in one week.