A Visit with Jami & the boys

Kev and I drove to Charlotte on Friday afternoon. It's been a lovely weekend though the beginning of the week has been a little misty. We've been able to spend quite a bit of time with Tom & Kris, too. Kevin & Tom have been digging up a foundation for a patio off the sun room. Kris, Jami & I spent some of the time on Sunday weeding the front yard. I also pinned & hemmed Jami's chef's uniform.

We celebrated out anniversary on Sunday with a lovely dinner that Tom and Kris planned...chef Jami cooked. We had lamb (though Kris had a pork chop) which was WONDERFUL. Tom and Kris brought over a bottle of Champagne to celebrate the 30 years that Kev and I have been married. It's hard to believe that it's been that long but also seems that it was only yesterday that we were so Young and in Love! We toasted to Jami's new venture and our long love affair...wishing for at least 30 more years...talked and laughed tons and staying up much too late for Jami & Kris who had to get up VERY early in the morning. Needless to say we all went to bed early last night.

Jami has been telling us of her classes. She seems so excited with what's going on so far. Tom & Kris have said that they are even learning some new terms. So we all might have some new kitchen skills and ideas when this is all finished. LOL All in all, Jami seems to be happy in Charlotte. She's learning her way around and is busy making it a home. It has been a Godsend for Tom and Kris to be able to make this house available to Jami. We're ever so grateful.

This morning, Kev is off to see if he can meet with personnel at the company he's sent his resume. Hope it works out for him but we're just being open to whatever God has in mind. Jami is off to school so I spent the morning rearranging the sun room and vacuuming the mud that the boys are tracking in...we're hoping that will be kept to a dull roar when the patio is finished. The sun room is so inviting. Right now, Bailey is snoring away on his favorite space...on the couch. Between here and the couches that Beth donated to Jami, the dogs are so at home here. What a joy for us to see.

A message from Megan's vet

How kind is our vet??? We received a letter from him last week. I wanted to post it because it shows just how wonderfully he cared about Meg. The thought of her still brings tears to my eyes.

Dear Duffy Family,

It has been several weeks since we lost Megan and I wanted to send your family a note to share my condolences. Ultimately we will never know what took her from us, but I suspect an aggressive mammary cancer and para neoplastic syndrome.

At this point I take more comfort in knowing that she is in a better place with no suffering. And choose to reflect on her strong family and the many great years you had together. She will be missed!

Please know that each of you will remain in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time.

Sincerely, "Fletch" and the staff at Avery Road Animal Hospital

A life celebrated...100 1/2!!!

Jenna and I traveled to WV yesterday to attend my Great Aunt Eva's funeral. Aunt Eva passed away Thursday and was flown back to Beckley. She was my Pop's oldest sister and she was 100+ years old. She and Uncle Perry were just wonderful people. He passed 20 years ago. So now she has joined him in the ever after! Aunt Eva had such a joy of life and, as the preacher said at the funeral, was a "LADY"...always on the run and doing something for someone else. A nurse by occupation, she continued that through her retirement. I remember her as being so well presented...ALWAYS. Mother planned a lovely funeral for a woman so important in our lives. What a wonderful send off for a well spent life.

Aunt Eva was always asking about our children. She and Uncle Perry loved children. Uncle Perry prided himself on guessing each of the sexes of our children...getting them ALL right. Even as older folks, Aunt Eva and Uncle Perry were involved with Jason, Jami & Jenna when they were little. They loved watching them play and laugh. We will miss Aunt Eva. She lived such a wonderful long life...it was hard to be sad.

Jenna and I had lots of nice conversation time as we drove to Beckley. Jami's boys traveled quietly in the back of the Pilot. We met Jami, Mother and Dad there. We have been watching the "boys" for the few weeks that Jami was visiting Maw Maw and Paw Paw in Florida. Now it's time for Jami to go back home to Charlotte...starting school on Monday...so we transferred the boys back to their Mom. It was also nice to visit with Mother & Dad, Sheree, Raymond, Chris & Cayla for a little bit before Jenna and I traveled back home.