this week

 Wow!!! time sure flies when you are having fun! i wanted to update so many times this week but so many things would come up and they next things i knew it was friday! this week has been such a positive week and i truly enjoyed it!!

* i was able to complete our cutest pet contest and we are now waiting for votes and i am caught up on my sales project.
* i found out i had training and attended a two day training and though i was not excited about it i landed up having a good and fun time!
* i received happy mail from my smashing group and postcrossings.
* i did interviewing this week (something i love)
* i spent the morning with the girls shopping
* we went to Hunny Bunny's first soccer game with CedarWood (they lost)
* i am invited to a Bunco night...yipppeee...this is on my bucket list...i know but it is!!
* i started my HCG...not a great week but i am determined
* i had a "wow" moment and called up Hunny Bunny and cried like a baby and thanked him for being so amazing

wow!!! what a great week!!

I have discovered the word of Smashing while i was away and here is some of my work:

 I love us...the heart is out fingerprints together,

 This was for a challenge about ...you guessed it...ME!! the strips have facts about me. This was one of my first pages and it was fun to do!!

 This was for a challenge: Cartoon I love...you guessed it..i love this little yellow sponge!

 Things i Love on PINTERST...if you have not discovered this world you so need to!!! but warning...it is addictive!!

 Fashion...love it!!!  just a bunch of names taken from magazines and i added some glitz to it!

 LOVE her!!!  another challenge involving labels...

Challenge...Things i love...and yes i love everything on this page!!!

 And...here we go! 1. I am *REstarting my BLOG*. 2. It seems *like only yesterday I was keeping up this blog*. 3. *My family* makes me laugh. 4. Did you know *that so much has changed since last i filled out one of these Friday Fill-ins*? 5. I looked more closely and I saw *i needed to open a door and go through it*. 6. I'm so glad *I have my family in my life*. 7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to *getting this blog back up and running*, tomorrow my plans include *shopping...that has not changed!* and Sunday, I want to *go to church*!

Back...

Wow! I cannot believe I am back! 2, more like 3 years later!!! Looking through the post and the site I am amazed how far I have come and how many changes have happened during this time. So much change. So much change. I have been on Facebook and for someone who loved words it has been fun! I enjoy it. I have though been wanting a place to express myself, my life and me...which gets me to live, love and laugh! I still believe in those three things an try to do each one everyday! I am wanting to make some major changes and me being me I want a place to write down my feeling regarding those changes. I hope to stay her awhile and today I am excited about this old, new venture. SMILE. So here is to...not starting over...how does one start over in life...no here is to opening a door and continuing onto a different path!

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we took so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened up for us” - Helen Keller

2011!!! wow!!! Today is a new day...a new year...a new time!!! I am glad to see 2010 gone and a little excited, a little frightened and a lot in awe of 2011!!! Let's see what happens...

Today...i was able to spend some time in the word and was drawn to Psalms. It hit me real good. I felt the word and it spoke to me. I need to stay focused on Him and through everything I need to make sure I am Praising Him. From the heart. I may to feel like it all the time but I need to Praise Him. If I can do this I think I will feel so much closer to Him and more at peace. I need that peace so much right now. I need to feel like everything is going to be ok...that everything is going to work out. I need that. I need to feel Him close to me. I KNOW He is there but in so many ways I am the one who stops. I stop believing. I stop hoping. I stop having faith. I STOP. I need to stop doing that (teehehehe...stop stopping!!). Today i did and tomorrow...well it is not here so I need not concern myself with it...right? HA!! that is another story. So for now...I praise Him for loving me and mine and for looking down and watching over us. He told me a few months ago..."my ways are not your ways..." Help me to remember that everyday....

wow!! it has been forever...so much going on...so much that my mind is overwhelmed at least 18 hours of the day....so much!!! i rarely stop and smell the roses let alone get on the Internet, and blog...PLEASE!!! when do i have time...*sigh* well...i am here right now and i have this site i follow on my facebook and i just started following on my blog...it focuses on you and that is a good thing right? hmmmmmmmmmmm...anyway...it says we should list 10 blessings so i am going to list them (it has you do this every Sunday, and there should be no repeats). *sigh* let's see if i can find 10 blessings today...

1/ Genesis...here at home with us
2/ Bridgette...she has been a rock during this time
3/ Hunny Bunny...he has been my island...my core
4/ God...even though I don't speak to him everyday just knowing He is there is a blessing to me...
5/ My church family...i have not been able to see them b/c of work but knowing they are praying for us is a blessing.
6/ My job...with everything the way it is I know I am blessed to have one right now
7/ My sanity...as weird as that sounds, it is a blessing...
8/ Our home...it is ours and I am so blessed to have one
9/ My health
10/Hunny Bunnies health

*sigh* that took some thought...and when i look at the list i realize i am truly blessed...thank you LORD!!!!

Friday Fill-In's

1. A cup of tea is something I do not find on my to do list.
2. Family makes a place feel like home.
3. Everything has its beauty if you spend the time to look for it.
4. I love the taste of strawberries?
5. Art makes me want to CREATE.
6. LOL I just noticed I forgot to take some time to breathe today.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include relax and Monday, I want to relax!

I was so singing this song all day...it is stuck in my head and will not leave!!!!!

"Leaving On A Jet Plane" Ringtones to Cell

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn
The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I tell you now, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I'll think of you
Every song I sing, I'll sing for you
When I come back, I'll bring your wedding ring

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

Guitar Solo

Now the time has come to leave you
One more time let me kiss you
Close your eyes I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times, I won't have to say

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh baby, I hate to go

Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

I was in Yahoo and came across this article. I tend to me the french nail girl, how about you?

Work Like Your Nail Color, Even if It's Nude

Posted Feb 22nd 2010 4:46PM

By Lisa Johnson Mandell

With all the negativity and depression clouding the working world these days, author/radio host Mary Foley thinks it's time to lighten up a little -- or at least to add a little color. She's been through all the ups and downs the economy has had to offer, and she chooses to look on the bright side, which is an inspiration to us all.

Freshly graduated from Virginia with a degree in engineering, Foley took an $8 an hour customer service rep job, "just to pay the bills." That was with the then-unknown AOL, and she moved up, up, up with the company, eventually heading up corporate training, then getting out of the company back when the getting was good.

Since then she's earned a master's degree in organization development from Pepperdine University and authored two books, including Bodacious! Woman: Outrageously in Charge of Your Life and Lovin' It, and Live Like Your Nail Color. She currently is the co-host of the fabulously friendly "Girlfriend We Gotta Talk" radio show, which is broadcast live in Richmond, VA, and can be found online at GirlfriendWeGottaTalk.com

For AOL DimeCrunch, Mary applied her colorful concepts to the working world:

What does your favorite nail color – or naked nails – reveal about you?

Your fingers (or toes) are really mini-indicators into your personality!

• If you usually have a French manicure, you are one classy, sophisticated and incredibly practical gal. Your nails are neatly manicured, without going to extremes, and the look goes with every outfit.
• Are you wearing mocha or a shade of brown? These earth tones mean you're a woman who is grounded, approachable and someone we can share our deepest thoughts with.
• How about pink? Pink is the quintessential girlie color, and one of the most popular colors for nails. If you choose a light to medium pink, you are friendly, happy and lighthearted. For those who prefer the wilder side of pink – aka, the hot pink and fuchsia tones – then you are known to be on the talkative, fun, and exciting side.
• Wild about red? Considered to be the wildest nail color of all, women who love red nails are usually leading the "Passionate About Life Parade" with their energy, enthusiasm, and confidence.
• And if your nails are naked? According to a recent survey, only about 35 percent of women paint both their fingers and toes, which means most women paint only one or the other, the most popular being their toes. There are a lot of reasons why women don't paint their nails; but one thing is true: having naked nails means you're willing to be your true, authentic self and show it to the world.

What does your nail color say about your career?

Because fingernails are always visible, they communicate more about your career than do toenails. Sixty-one percent of women surveyed have naked fingernails. It's considered by many that well-manicured naked nails are the mark of a confident, modern woman. However, naked does not mean neglected! Far too many women in business have ragged, bitten, unkempt nails that can communicate to co-workers or a potential employer nervousness, incompetence, and lack of confidence.

Then there are the gals who take the time to color their fingernails. Gals who wear a French manicure or mild nail color usually like their career and feel comfortable with how it's going. They literally look and feel polished! Gals who sport a brighter nail color are usually excited about their career and have found a personal sweet spot of success. Their confidence is high and they are willing to take more career risks because of it!

Today is the third day of 2010!! wow!!! I am thinking 2010 is going to go as fast as 2009!! Maybe even faster... I have been thinking about the new year and the things I want to accomplish this year. I have a few "words/theme" but I am not sure which one will be my 2010 word. I know last year was suppose to be a continuation of the year before but that changed in June. I believe I was just existing after Mom passed away. I sure do miss her. Well, one thing I want to do is be more grateful so I am wanting to have 5 things I am grateful for every week. I am not sure how it will go but I have to start to find out, right? *grin*

5 things I am grateful for...

* My family...they complete me.

* The support I am getting on my new resolution (my family ROCKS!!)

* Having both girls with us (it will not last forever!!)

* My job (especially at this time in America)

* My home

I am so trying to figure out how we are going to do this holiday. We usually have a huge Christmas (3+ trees, gifts galore, baking, visiting different holiday spots and more...). I spoke with my family and I am so not in the mood this year. My hunny bunny was trying to delve in and see what is was all about and the "deep" reasons for my feelings and I became frustrated and yelled out "My Mother died!!". There was silence and then I knew he "got" it... and I "got" it...it really seemed to make sense and there was silence. As we were silent I felt this relief...this pressure was released and it felt good. It felt good to say...MY MOTHER DIED!!! There does not have to be anything deep or profound...there only has to be that for my. I don't have to apologize, I don't have to try to make sense of these feelings, I don't have to do anything but know...know that this is hard and I am not sure how to handle this holiday thing this year. I told the girls about not having a holiday this year and they were silent. I can understand that. After speaking to hunny bunny and getting somethings out there I think we will find a happy medium. A place where we can all be content (happy is to strong of a word right now...at least for me...). I am not sure what type of holiday we will have but at least we are talking about it and I am confident we all reach an agreement...who would have every thought this would be a bridge we would have to cross at this point in our lives...*sigh*

Happy Thanksgiving. I hope everyone had a wonderful day and did not forget to stop and be thankful for all the blessings in their lives. My hunny bunny and the girls felt it would be best if I did not cook so we went to a restaurant with my dad and in-laws. I am so thankful for such a thoughtful family and even though I did not enjoy the meal, I did enjoy being with my family. Hunny Bunny is so wonderful and thoughtful and I am soooo thankful for him! He completes me. In the end I was glad I did not cook, I was able to enjoy my family and think of my Mom and remember her and yes...miss her. This was the first Thanksgiving without her and I truley missed her so much! I am so thankful for knowing her and the many special memories I have of her.





We went to see the Movie "The Blind Side" this afternoon (hunny bunny, the girls and myself). It was such a great family movie! I loved it. I loved how a family took in a stranger and loved him as one their own and how "family" counts!!! I also loved how love can do so much when applied to people and in people! The acting was good and I loved the "little brother"...he was adorable! If you get a chance please see it!!! It is a great movie!!!!

i have been thinking about life changes lately for myself...no not those changes that we have no control over...i have had my share of those this year and an still dealing with those. No, I am speaking about those things i can control...and as i have been thinking about that i am discovering some things about myself...interesting things, things that have stopped me in my tracks, things that i want to walk away from but feel i need to look at. i must confess, this life changing thing has taken me to a new place. i know i am here for a reason but i am not sure what to do. i know i need to make some changes and i know in the end it will be for the good but boy, oh boy...i am really just starting to realize...I DO NOT LIKE CHANGE!!!! ok...why would that be a shock...i am a traditional person who will have the same breakfast every morning and do the same thing every night if i allowed myself to. Yes, that same person is shocked at how much i do not like change...but more so i do not think i like the fact that i could be a change agent...me!!! I believe I am at that place in life when I need to become my own CHANGE AGENT. I need to make changes. I need to take those steps to change things in my life that are not healthy for me. I need to do this...not my hunny bunny, my girls or even God...ME...MYSELF...I!!! And guess what...it scares me crazy to see that let alone believe it. I know what I need to do but I don't want to be the one to do it...interesting!!! I need to "marinate" on this and see what becomes of it...

1. What is your favorite written work of horror fiction?
I do not like horror....

2. What is your favorite work of science fiction/fantasy?
Aliens....it scared me sooo much when i was a teenager!!!
Matrix (all of them)

3. Who is your favorite monster?
Does Elmo count???

4. What is your favorite Horror movie?
don't do horror

5. What horror movie gives you the most chills?
I hated then all (my dad made me see them when I was young)...Amityville Horror was horrible!!!

6. What character from any horror film would you most like to play?
No thank you!!!

7. Freddy or Jason?
UUUGGGHHHHH!!!! to both

8. What is your favorite Halloween treat?
anything with chocolate!!!

9. Ghosts or goblins?
Ghosts.

10. Friendly-faced jack-o'-lantern or scary one?
Friendly (of course)

11. What is your scariest encounter with the paranormal?
does seeing myself at 3am in the mirror count?

12. Do you believe in ghosts? Why or why not?
no...there are only one of two places we go after death and earth is not one of them

13. Would you rather be a zombie, alien, or psycho?
Alien (the thought of flesh grosses me out!!)

14. Favorite Halloween costume?
A bee or pumpkin...

15. Best thing about Halloween?
the costumes and decorations

16. Person in your family who most likes Halloween (not counting yourself)?
It use to be my Mom...now it is me!

17. Are you superstitious?
hmmmmmmm.....

18. Share an unusual Halloween story.
don't have one...sorry

19. What did you do for Halloween as a kid?
dress up and go out trick or treating with my cousins

20. What's the best Halloween party that you've attended?
when i was a teenager we had one with our youth group...it was fun (me, angie and bobby were stopped by the police and he was a clown and i was a pregnant woman with Noxema on my face...teeehehehehe)!!!

Sunday Stealing: The Starrlight Meme

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth?
a piece of apple pie from KFC

2. Where was your profile picture taken?
bathroom

3. Can you play Guitar Hero?
if i try hard enough and practice (we do own it)

4. Name someone who made you laugh today. What was it about?
my baby girl. she said "listen here" while we were all in the car and we thought about "Bacon is good for me!!"

5. How late did you stay up last night and why?
12:30 am...watching QVC and on Facebook (weekend!!)

6. If you could move somewhere else where would you and why?
a small town...more family/community feeling

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks?
yes...4th of July

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you?
Lechelle...a few blocks

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends? With benefits?
yes...no

10. Do you like Dr. Pepper?
yes

11. When was the last time you cried really hard? Really hard as opposed to just sniveling?
this summer...when we buried my mother

12. Who took your profile picture?
me!!!

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?
the girls and Reggie

14. Was yesterday better than today? Why?
no...we went to church today and had family time

15. Can you live a day without TV?
yes, as long as I have a DVR waiting for me the next day

16. Are you upset about anything now?
yes

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?
ALWAYS!!!

18. Are you a bad influence?
yes

19. Night out or night in?
Night out!!!

20. What items could you not go without during the day?
computer, a coke, DVR

21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?
my dad

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?
don't text...don't have a cell phone (by choice)

23. How do you feel about your life right now?
like i am caged in a box and can't get out...

24. Do you hate anyone?
no

25. If we were to look in your Facebook inbox, what would we find?
lots of unread messages

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?
yes

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?
yes

28. What song is stuck in your head?
Apple bottom jeans...

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2 a.m., whom do you want it to be?
if he is not beside me...my husband

30. Do you (or did you) want to have grandkids before you’re 50?
yes

31. Tell us your Saturday night.
dinner out with family, shopping, later catching up on some shows (DVR)

32. Do you think too much or too little?
too much

33. Do you smile a lot?
more than i did last year...a work still in progress...

Today was an interesting day...for some reason it was a day to remember my Mom. I seemed to see her in so many things in my life today and the result was a point where I was melancholy and it was hard to go on. Who knows maybe I need more days like this...i sometimes feel like I do not grieve. I do not cry. I do not remember. I just...exist. When it comes to my Mom I exist. Is this natural? Normal? Abnormal? Wrong? Right? I don't know. I have never done this before. I did not read a manual. And let me tell you for someone who strives to do everything perfect and must have order this is horrible!!! I feel like i should make a list and when i have done everything on it and mark it off i will be done with this grieving this. Is that not sick? Am i not sick to think this? I think so and I hate it. I hate not knowing how to process my mothers loss. I hate not knowing if i should scream. Cry. Hate. Go into a depression. Yell. I hate not know what to do. I want to grieve and I do not know how!!! Maybe i really don't want to? Maybe I am afraid of the openness I will have to have. The vulnerability. I remember when she left us I walked out of the room and into the bathroom down the hall. I remember standing in the dark and then bending over and screaming into my hands. A scream no one could hear. I remember standing there and feeling so many things and just as fast as they came I pushed them down. I knew there was family waiting and I knew i was needed. I remember taking a deep breath and walking out of the bathroom and back into her room. I remember. I have not gone back to that moment, those feelings, that pain. Instead I went through the motions to bury her and assist my family. Time is going by and I am moving with it...I am not grieving...I am existing when it comes to her. Time will tell how this pans out....they say time heals...i am hoping that is the case...

wow...where does the time go??? I am sooo horrible for neglecting my blog...i could give so many reasons why and they are all legitimate. I miss blogging and I have been thinking about it but I am not ready...I feel guilty...and I am not sure why??? This is something I need to look at and "marinate". Just know I am here but in thought only....

Sunday afternoon...i have a few minutes so i thought i would sit down and write...maybe an update...maybe not. I am amazed at how quickly time has passed since June 11, 2009. It is crazy...life continues to go on...

* I returned back to work....code red!!! *grin*
* I am trying to get my mothers home cleaned out and failing in every area (it is sooooo hard to go through her things...so hard).
* a pug puppy was left in our backyard and we had no idea why!!!
* I helped someone out and they have still not paid back the $500.00 they promised.
* My basement has a minor mishap and flooded
* Mid-years are due and we have a week to complete them!!
* We almost lost my father...he was in ICU for 2 days and a regular room for 2 more days (it was the same hospital my mom has passed away in 4 weeks earlier)
* My Aunt Dorthy passed away 1 week and 1 day after we buried my mother.
* The 4th of July and Fathers Day came and left without my mother.
* People are dieing all over the place...Michael Jackson, Farrah...
* Baby girl is still away from home and I worry that she did not have enough time at home to grieve for her Grandmother (she has never experience death this close to home and she was forced to leave is the day after we buried her Grandmother).
* I am still in denial...

*sigh* As you can see life still goes on and the sun still rises and sets everyday....

It has been a while since I last visited this blog. It is with deep sorrow I must say my Mother has passed away. She is with the Lord and for that I am so grateful however...my heart is sad and my soul is hurt. She went to be with the Lord on June 11nth. We laid her to rest last Wednesday and I truly believe she would have loved her funeral (the doves and my baby girls singing Amazing Grace would have made her so proud!!). It has been exhausting and at this point I am talking a few steps at a time (before this week it was only one step and that was every few hours). My family has been incredible and I love them more this week than 2 weeks ago. They are truly amazing! I am still raw so I believe I will end this with a beautiful piece of writing Boo did for her Grandmother (it was passed out at the funeral and I took this from her facebook entry)...

In Loving Memory

Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:33pm

On Thursday my grandmother passed away in the hospital just four days after being diagnosed with cancer that had progressed to stage four. She died in her sleep, like she wanted, and didn't suffer, which was a blessing. We were very close and despite a relationship that was sometimes bumpy, I loved her more deeply than I can express. The service is taking place Wednesday morning and I wrote the obituary/biography to be handed out at the chapel. I'm sharing it here for anyone who would like to read it because I want the whole world to know about the woman my grandfather loves with all his heart, who raised my mom to be as strong as she is today, and who loved my sister and I from the day we were born until the day she died.


♥ ♥ ♥


On June 11th, 2009, the world lost a beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, aunt and friend in Linda Griego. She was preceded in death by her father, Guadalupe Ruiz, and four younger siblings: brothers Pete and Ferdie and sisters Mary and Bea. She is survived by her mother Maria Ruiz, her husband of thirty-nine years John B. Griego, her daughter Antoinette Marie (son-in-law Reggie Burgess), her sisters Virginia (brother-in-law Frank Herrera) and Suzie, and her brother Alex (sister-in-law Colleen Ruiz). She will be leaving behind two granddaughters, Bridgette and Genesis Burgess, goddaughter Jessica Agosta, her nieces Angela Montoya, Joline Lopez, Shannon Ortiz, Jamie Muniz and Amy Ruiz, and her nephews Frankie Montoya, Robert Montoya, Lloyd Herrera, and Phillip Herrera.

Linda was born in Denver, Colorado in 1948 on August 24th to Lupe and Maria Ruiz. The eldest of four girls and sister to four brothers, she was always a bright girl and a hard worker. Although she was something of a talker in school as a little girl, she was fairly quiet in general and grew up to be fairly studious. She enjoyed reading, got good grades, and counted Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy as two of her favorite people. She cooked often growing up but it was baking she fell in love with. When her siblings would pick cherries for her, she would use them to bake pies and that was just the beginning; later in life she turned to cake decorating as a hobby and excelled at it, providing delicious and beautiful cakes for numerous occasions (who can forget the delicious four layered chocolate confection whose recipe she guarded with her life?). She was a unique young woman who worked hard for most of her life to help provide for her family, who she loved very much and who remained a part of her life long after she left home. She took care of her sister Mary when she was sick, invited over many family members on holidays like Halloween for several years (and provided plenty of candy goodies for the kids and savory dishes for the grown-ups), and loved to spend time with her mother, who she admired and adored.

Despite an epic and passionate love for Elvis Presley, Linda's true love was her husband John (we know this because she let him take her on a date to look at pigs in a stinky stockyard). They met at a club called The Mambo and, after marrying each other on Christmas Eve in 1970, enjoyed thirty-nine years of marriage. They were an active couple who took many trips together and liked to spend times with their friends and family (she had fond memories of Echo Lake and endless games of Rook). They spent their holidays with Linda's family and, as they got older, devoted much of their time to their granddaughters. John spoiled his "Tootsie" (a nickname he gave her for her love of Tootsie Rolls) during all of their years together. Anyone who spent any time with Linda and John could see how much they adored each other, from their playful banter, to shared stories about mixed up song lyrics ("bowl o' chili", anyone?) and serenades, to their constant physical closeness and all of the time they spent together.

Linda also loved her family, especially her daughter, Antoinette. She worked hard to take care of her daughter for many years and always provided for her; Linda loved to dress Antoinette up and had her in the cutest clothes and hairstyles. She made her daughter's Halloween costumes and took countless pictures of her doing everything from celebrating birthdays to hopping on a bus to camp. For a woman who found as much joy in taking pictures as Linda did, one would be hard-pressed to find a subject she liked capturing more than her family.

Her granddaughters, Bridgette and Genesis, were two even greater joys in her life. She was blessed to be with her daughter when both of her granddaughters were born and spent every year from that day on supporting them in their many creative, athletic, and academic ventures, and loving them unconditionally. She was around from 3 v. 3 soccer games to high school junior varsity matches; from Mestizo dancing to ballet; from kindergarten graduation to high school graduation, and she was proud every step of the way.

Always creative and caring and up-to-date on the latest fashions and trends (she rocked the beehive hair-do, may or may not have had to fight someone off for a Tickle Me Elmo, dressed to the nines even at Disneyland, and welcomed her first granddaughter into the world wearing diamonds and heels), Linda was also resilient and had a bright smile that told anyone looking how much she loved life. She has left behind a hole that cannot be filled in the lives of her loved ones, but she has also left behind memories of a woman who was exciting, extraordinary, and deeply loved. She left this world in exactly the way she wanted: surrounded by those she loved most, peacefully sleeping.

Dearest Tootsie, Mom, Grandma, Sister, Auntie, and Friend, you will be missed and while we struggle to live a life without your physical presence in it, know that we will always love you and take comfort in knowing that you are dancing with the Lord (and this makes us happy because we know how much you loved to dance).