"Success is not final, failure is not fatal. It is the Courage to continue, that counts." Winston Churchill

It's really hard to think of "what is your happiness today" when going through such immense emotional pain of a separation. I am not planning on blogging about this situation; it's very painful and personal. But, will I'm sure affect the tone of the blog.

Out of so much sadness, here is some positives I've come up with..

1. My estranged dh bought me a portable air conditioner today for the bedroom. I've never tolerated the heat well and sleeping has been miserable at best. It's going right now so hopefully I might get some sleep tonight. He does care about me and wants me to be comfortable.

2. The hydrangea bush finally bloomed. Exciting as I wasn't sure it would happen. The bush itself is big and green but because I forget to water and feed it, I didn't know if I'd get flowers.

3. Got a phone call from a dear mutual friend a few days ago and that really helped. I didn't feel so alone after that call.

4. The "chicks" came over last night and chatted, trying to take my mind off of things. They are good people.

5. I got the 2006-2007 Stampin Up Catalogue.

Happy belated Canada Day.

Today's happiness:

My wonderful dd had a great report card yesterday. 3A's, 6B's and 1C+. Great comments from all her teachers. In September, it's grade 11!!! Am very proud of my girl. She has a world of opportunities open for her and I hope she reaches for them.

No happiness today. The man I have loved for 22 years left our marriage today.

What is my happiness today?

Coming home from an INSANE day at work to find a parcel that I forgot about ordering!

Check out these great papers!
Daisy D friendship

Got them and some ribbon from a new store on Vancouver Island: Shauna's Shabby Scrapbooking

What is my happiness today?

Hmmm ice tea.

What would make me over the top happy? Air conditioning in our bedroom. I so can not handle the heat and when it's registered 36-38 degrees out there, I do get a little cranky.

Didn't touch my scrapbooking stuff on my days off and I SO miss it. I think now that dh has taken dd to the lake, I might go in there for an hour and play. Re assess the damage the cat did to the layouts in the page protectors.

Back to work tomorrow, the blog could be quiet for a few days. Don't forget to think about "what is my happiness today?"

It was a great party. I think "L" really enjoyed it. There were 45 people in attendance, so that was good to have such a response. It was quite warm in the house but everyone ended up out on the deck and that was good until the mosquitos arrived. Lots of great food, drink and she loved all her gifts. I took 70+ pictures but most people are "leary" about having their pictures on the internet, so I must respect that.

Here's one with my husband. I love him so very much. He was a HUGE help getting the house ready for the party.

Today dh and I are hosting a retirement party for one of my fellow nurse's, who has worked for 38 years! Can you even imagine? She was a mentor of mine when I first started working at this hospital and we have worked quite a bit together over the years. I hope tonight will be a fun evening for her. I think we're going to have a great turn out. The weather is gorgeous so the deck will be put to the test. My husband has been wonderful helping me get everything ready and I couldn't have done it without him.

If she lets me, I might post party pictures later on.

Got this quote in an email today:

"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all." Sam Ewing

My friend has worked hard over the years, and I know seen a lot of changes in healthcare. She so deserves a wonderful exciting retirement.

Dear friends of ours are having twin babies in a few weeks. We're so thrilled for them. Last night we got some "belly pics" that I just loved. It's all very exciting.

Last night my husband and I went for a bike ride. I wanted to try to get to a certain point, and I did, so was pretty pleased about that. My legs were SCREAMING, but I did it. Now, to do it on a regular basis, and build endurance. It's good. I just need to get a new helmet. The one I have is old, and I feel so dorky in it. I want something funky. DH said we went about five miles last night.

Busy getting the house cleaned up for the party we're hosting tomorrow night from a friend/fellow nurse that has retired. Should be lots of fun.

My happiness today: having morning coffee with my husband out on our patio, enjoying the peace of early morning.

one of those blog fill in the blanks that go around..
1. FIRST NAME? R
2. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I believe, an Aunt.
3. WHEN DID YOU LAST CRY? yesterday morning
4. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? no, I think I have childish print
5. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? some sort of salami, pepper or garlic
6. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 1 teenage dd
7. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I think so, though some days maybe not
8. DO YOU HAVE A JOURNAL? my blog but I'm thinking of starting a private "dear diary"
9. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? yes
10. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? taken out when I was very young
11. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? never
13. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Crocs don't have ties :)
14. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? no
15. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Baskin Robins Chocolate Mousse Royale (haven't had it in years)
16. SHOE SIZE? 9W
17. RED OR PINK? red
18. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? right now, my difficulty with saying how I feel; I have bottled so much inside for years I feel toxic
19. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? family in Norway
20. WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? I was born in 1966 in the town I live in now
21. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? bare foot and in my nightie; it's only 10:15am
22. WHAT IS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? cheese and crackers last night
23. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? someone mowing the lawn outside
24 IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? red
25. FAVORITE SMELL? vanilla
26. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED WITH ON THE PHONE? my mom last night
27. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE YOU MEET? teeth, just like my mother
28. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? some people think I take good pictures with my point and shoot camera
29. FAVORITE DRINK? water
30. FAVORITE SPORT? um, no
31. HAIR COLOR? naturally blah brown, right now lots of blonde highlights
32. EYE COLOR? blue
33. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no
34. FAVORITE FOOD? carbs: pasta, potatoes, rice
35. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDING? happy please
36. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Mr and Mrs Smith, on DVD
37. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? hello, I am in my nightie, remember?
38. SUMMER OR WINTER? winter because I love Christmas
39. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs
40. FAVORITE DESSERT? cheesecake and Norweigan rumcake
41. WHAT BOOKS ARE YOU READING? The Bible
42. WHAT'S ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? I don't have a mouse pad.
43. FAVORITE SOUNDS? children laughing.
44. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? neither
45. THE FURTHEST YOU'VE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawaii, though geographically, Norway..but then I was with family, so that's home too
46. IF YOU COULD PICK ANY TWO PEOPLE TO HAVE DINNER WITH, WHO WOULD THEY BE? my husband and daughter. We don't have dinners together often enough these days