finding lori

To continue my Summer Fun, our beautiful Mother turned 80!  We had a little party for her at her Care Center.  She really seemed to like us all being there.  If you remember, she has Alzheimer's and is non verbal now. Every time I see her, she is just a little less focused on me, but she is happy and content and we are so lucky to have her still with us!! Blayne and I took a road trip to the area where our camp is located. We first went to this amazing little town, Ridgway. While Greg and I were driving around, we spotted this rock painted as a frog down in the river.  I knew I had to show it to Blayne! Next we went to a place called Nebraska Bridge.  When they get a lot of rain, the water actually covers  the bridge...Sometimes half way up! I took Blayne to Tionesta, where Greg and I's favorite little store it. They make they best cinnamon rolls ever!   This little store in Tidioute, sells flowers, outdoor decor and the owner makes the best pies! We drove by this awesome statu

Hi Friends! A few days ago, I was going through my blog, going back a few years reading and looking at my pictures.  It was so nice to reminisce and remember all that happened.  I realize that is one of the best parts of blogging....Having something written down and documented for years later.  I feel bad for letting my blog rest, not only because it really helps me get things out, but also for saving memories.   I thought I would post a few things that made this summer special, so at least I will have this summer to look back on, and then hopefully I can keep up and write more.  I started off this summer in a huge way!!  My Sis, Blayne (my Daughter) and I took a major road trip!!  They, along with Greg, surprised me by planning a trip to St. Pete Beach in Florida!!  I have never been to Florida.  I have actually only been one place for a real vacation, and that was 20 plus years ago.  Now, I am a scaredy cat with driving, and actually, since Covid, with leaving my safe little home, an

Covid hit right after our Dad passed.  I swear he had it and they didn’t know what it was yet….We will never know. I dealt with Covid fine I thought, but thinking about it, I think it affected me more than I thought.  Worry, isolation, a different world.  I didn’t get Covid and thankfully didn’t lose anyone close to me, but still….it did something to me.   We lost our priest, my boss in April of 2021 .  We found him unresponsive in his room and he passed a few days later.  It was a scary and heartbreaking thing to have happen to this man of faith.  I was concentrating more  my job, and cleaning out the rectory to prepare for our new priest so I still didn’t find time to deal with my Dad, my Mom, or my Covid feelings, which me and my Sis have named, “The Trifecta”.  It wasn’t until my new boss moved in in July, and things are getting into a routine that I am realizing that something isn’t right.  I don’t feel right.  My Sis thinks I may have a type of PTSD from “The Trifecta”.  Can that

My Momma.  She is our best friend.  My sis and I, and later, my daughter, did everything with her.  We were in church groups together, went shopping, out to eat, visited a few times a week.  My sis, and my brothers and I all live in a very small town, and our houses surrounded our parents house.  All our kids grew up literally running over to Amie and Poppas house for snacks, to play games with her or puzzles,  or to play in the yard where my Dad has built them a playhouse complete with electricity and a TV!   My Mom was the best grandmother to our kids.  Babysitting, hosting holidays, baking, ice-cream parties…you name it…they did it with their grandkids. We noticed changes in our Mom about 8 years ago.  She was 71. These changes became more changes and we became aware that she had a bit of dementia.  It wasn’t until my Dad went into the hospital that we realized how much it has progressed and how much my Dad was covering for her.   When Dad was in the hospital, we made sure she had 3

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately.    I have been struggling for a while now and I feel it is time for me to come to this space, that has in the past, been a safe place for me to jot down my thoughts, my feelings, my goals and just my day to day life fun, and finally get it all out.  Even if no one reads this, It really helps to get things out...it is therapeutic for me, and I felt it's worth a try sharing my struggles so hopefully I can overcome them and finally get on with my life. I am going to separate this into three different posts so it isn't overwhelming to read.   This first post is titled, My Dad because it all began with him.   My Dad was the head of our family.  He and my Mom were together since the 9th grade.  He was kind, quiet, loving and caring, and extremally  generous, and now he is gone.  He just had his 76th birthday on September 26th, and passed away on November 27, 2019.  He passed suddenly, and left us all alone wondering why.  He had been si

    For many months, I haven't felt at peace. I have felt like something is missing in my life. Yesterday was my birthday, so I did a evaluation of my life. Aside from the loss of my Dad, and my Mom with her new home and way of life with Alzheimer's, I have it pretty good. My life is wonderful right now. I turned 56, my husband and kids are happy and healthy, I love my job, so why the feeling of loss? After really searching, my mind went to God and my Church Services. I haven't been consistently going to Mass for awhile. I am Catholic, and y es, I am the Church secretary and shouldn't they go every day? Well you would think so right? After my Dad died, I put off going to Mass . I just didn't want to see anyone who would remind me of my Dad. My parents loved going to Mass. They were on the Catering Crew, were active in the Cursillo Movement, and Small Faith Groups, with my sister and I as well, so everything and everyone there, reminded me of them. T