Stitching Chains, Friends and Reflections

Monday night, I went back to my crochet class. Ughhh.. I must say, even though I'm enthused about learning a new hobby, I'm frustrated to be behind the rest of my class! Of course, a lot of the other people in the class have more time to practice in between sessions than I do.. so I will definitely get the knack of it - but it will just take me longer! I am leaving for vacation in one week at the beach for about 8 days.. I plan to take my yarn and crochet materials with me and practice there! My goal is to actually MAKE a pot holder and a dish cloth SOON. My mom made one of each already (she is taking the class with me) and she gave them to me! So hopefully soon I will make a set of my own.

While I was in the class, my cell phone rang and it was my friend CC letting me know that our friend Lydia's husband, Troy, had passed away. I was up at the hospital for awhile on Monday afternoon with Lydia, and was there when they went in to see him for the last time and turned off the ventilator. It was a very sad, emotional afternoon, and I left the hospital with a lump in my throat. I knew the call would come sometime that evening about Troy's passing, so I was expecting it, but to actually get word of it made me feel that lump come back again. I've had trouble sleeping a lot in the past week because of this. A friend's husband, who was a year younger than ME, dead from a massive heart attack. He was also a friend of Dennis' a long time ago, when they worked together.. Dennis went water skiing with him and things like that.. so this was a contemporary.. a friend.... at our age you just don't expect this. Life is so precious. As I said a few days ago, it really makes you stop and reflect.

Tuesday night, after e-mailing back and forth with several people about sending flowers, memorials, finding out funeral arrangements, etc., I really felt I needed a night out with friends to celebrate LIFE and get my mind off of Troy's death... and fortunately, it was my Girls' Night Out group night. About 18 of us got together at Copper River Grille, had cocktails and dinner, and hung out for a couple hours.. It was GREAT to see everyone and we had a few newcomers that had come out with the group that night, and it was great to meet them too! It was a great evening out, just what the doctor ordered. Especially after having to drive to Sumter earlier in the day for a probate court hearing for my office. Very long, busy day!

On Wednesday, I ran a few errands and went and got my hair cut.. Came home and worked for awhile, and then when Dennis came home, we attended the visitation at the funeral home for Troy. Saw several friends there and got to see Lydia for a few minutes and pay our repsects. Afterward, we went out for Chinese for dinner. Yum! Came home and crashed on Wed. night - going to the visitation was an emotional experience, kind of draining.

Today I am catching up on more work. My mom and stepdad left early this morning for Pittsburgh for my stepdad's 60-year HS reunion. Wow! They will be there until Sunday, they should be home sometime Sunday evening. Tonight we have the VIA social down in Five Points to attend, and then are meeting friends at Capital City Club for dinner... busy, busy as always!

I have some pics to post from the Capital City Club gala last Saturday night, so I will do that shortly.