Happy TWOsday on 2/22/22!

Had to put a post up on this TWOsday - 2/22/22 day! For the weather update - we hit 65 degrees the other day -- it was such a wonderful preview of spring! This morning, it's 9 degrees and some snow on the ground! UGH! WE want the warm weather back ASAP! On that warm day, I took a long walk and there was an old guy driving his tractor around the neighborhood!!!! Guess he's ready for spring and getting out to the farm too. BRING IT ON!!

In other TWOsday news, I saw this most adorable doodle on the page of the breeders where we found our Frannie Doodle. So cute and named after my sister Amy! I sent it to her and suggested she contact them immediately. She wanted to, but Iowa is pretty far from Florida and she already has two dogs. I truly think that dog was meant for her though!

My cousin sent me this old photo -- I know it's hard to see. There's my dad, one of my brothers, my Mom and me and my twin - dressed alike! So cute and such short bangs! I look a little afraid there clinging to Judy's arm! Time sure does fly by. It just makes my heart happy to see my Mom and Dad in this photo! :)

Happy TWOsday Friends!

Thinking of Dad

I'm having the hardest time starting and writing this post,

for you see, my Dad died on August 22nd,
only 2 days away from his 95th birthday!

Me, Dad and my sister Amy - a few years ago

While we are so sad to lose him (and at times I still cannot believe that he's gone),

he had really been suffering.  He had a fall  the week before resulting in 

deep cuts on his forehead, black eyes, a

 broken nose, broken wrist and an unstable neck fracture.

Mom with me, Dad with Judy (the twins)

A celebration of his incredible life was held last week.
I often called him Al and he loved that --
 he also loved that Mr. Tennis would call him Alberto and he called him Ricardo.
He would have been so delighted to see so many relatives and friends there and
would have talked to and
reminisced with each and every one of them.
We are at peace knowing that his pain is gone and he is enjoying eternal life in heaven
and with my Mom and nephew . . .
and probably wondering why we didn't have
any beers at his funeral.

He was truly the best Dad ever!
My sisters and brothers and I were so lucky to have had
such incredible parents and such wonderful memories to comfort us.

There are special people in our lives who never leave us . . .
even after they are gone.
My Dad was one of those very special people.

A Special Visit!

Last week I was away a few days 

on a special visit to see my Dad, Al, 

who lives near Cincinnati.

It was such a wonderful visit!

Did I tell you that my Dad recently turned 92 years old!

My sister, Amy, who lives in Florida joined me there, so we had
some "sister" time and "Dad" time.
Amy and I enjoyed seeing him and visiting him and

having lunch with him a couple times at the

assisted living facility where he now lives.

It's such a nice place - the aides and workers 

genuinely care about the residents.

Bonus -- they make a tasty grilled cheese for lunch!

When we weren't there visiting Al (aka Alberto or Albert),

we did some power walking, power shopping and

power wine-tasting!

Yes, that trip had it all!

Our big disappointment was that our sister who 

lives there was out of town, so we

didn't get to hang out with her.  :(

On our next visit, we will introduce

her to all of our "power" activities!!  :)

However, we did get to enjoy some time with one of 

her cats!  I'm afraid I scared the poor kitty

with my rather loud rendition of

"Here kitty, kitty, kitty!!"

She finally came out from her under-the-bed

hiding place a couple days later!

Sorry kitty!

All in all, 

it was a very good visit  with my Dear Old Dad!