it was a lovely Saturday...

the sun was out...

and the wind was calm...

I am so torn as the whether to use these for tomato cages again...

or actually chairs for my table...

the cloudy blue skies let us see all the limbs that are just hanging...

and all the work to do later on...

need a new thermometer...

it's about 10 degrees too hot...

white picket fences are one of my favorite things...

not a bit of white stuff is left...

except floating by...

this one isn't coming down anytime soon...

so, while DH was doing the shopping in Paris...

yes, that's right...

we shop in Paris...

the birds were singing here...

and our babies were playing...

Bebe is wondering why we let the fur babies out, too...

they are famous for run by pouncings...

but Robbies kept the furballs away...

Doofus needed a better view...

and we surveyed all the work ahead...

and Bebe stopped by for some lovin'...

then Robbie decided to chase the cats...

even Boofy was out today...

in  hunting mode...

and the romping began...

Daphne sticking her tongue out at the doggies...

Robbie never stood still...

he ran from one to another...

back and forth...

up and down...

even in the sun it was a little cool...

so we didn't stay out very long...

but any day we can get even 15 minutes out in the sun is a good day...

29 days left until spring...

tried calling my stepmom tonight...

but her cell is off...

no news on the weekend is a good thing...

they don't do anything on the weekends unless they just have to...

so probably won't know anymore until Monday...

when she called yesterday...

she was crying so hard...

I thought dad had passed...

it was so hard to understand her between the sobs...

it took awhile to figure out that he was in the hospital...

and after we hung up...

I felt so useless...

it's at times like this...

when I HATE having this illness...

because it was always me who waded in...

took over...

handled everything...

hugged everyone...

and got things done...

I was the care taker...

the reassurer...

the brow and butt wiper...

the dressings changer...

the one who calmed them all down and gave them little jobs to keep them busy...

the chief cook and bottle washer...

the one who could foresee what was coming...

and brace the others for what was to be...

now, all I can do is be the voice on the other end of the phone line...

and I can pray...

and I pray I say the right things at the right time...

that words reach the heart and calm the soul...

and I had my bf tell me yesterday that I do that well...

and I so needed to hear that...

to hear that I wasn't worthless...

thank you, Rebecca...

for being there...

for listening...

for taking my fear of failing my stepmom away...

and for all of you rallying around me...

and my family...

and every prayer and every word you have left have made a difference...

I get my strength from God...

but my support right now comes from my guys, my bf and from you...

may God bless your big hearts...

because you are so special...

Hugs, Tete