Teach Soap

A friend (who makes jewelry) and I have been doing craft shows together for a couple of years now. We recently applied for a farmers' market that runs the last Saturday of the month, April through October.

Turns out, they don't want either one of us.

I'm okay with it (not like I don't have anything to do if I'm not doing a farmers' market! ), but my friend is taking it kind of hard.

Did any of you see the news about the monster storm in Colorado this weekend? The one that included a 50-car pile-up on Interstate 25 with burning semis?

I got to drive in that storm twice going to a craft show.

The worst one was Friday night. I had gone down that afternoon to set up, and the storm started a bit south of Denver while I was there. It was the most white-knuckled trip I've ever had. It was snowing really hard, which made visibility slim to none, but drivers in Denver, well, they usually drive like they have completely lost their minds. Never seems to occur to these brain-bereft folks that if it's snowing so hard the lines for lanes can't be seen, perhaps slowing down would be advisable.

By Saturday morning, although it was snowing just as hard, folks seemed to have realized that driving slow was a good thing. Still couldn't see the road lines, but even though we were all kind of lackadaisical about where the lanes were, everyone was okay with that. (And I saw two cars on their roofs in the median, and one slid off in a ditch.) And Saturday night, after the show, the drive was much less stressful. Still places down in Denver where the roads were snow-packed and icy, but once I got clear of Denver, pretty much smooth sailing.

The worst thing that has happened this weekend is that my dad died this morning.

He's been having some health issues, and had gone to the hospital Thursday for some issues with a recurrent bacterial infection. He had a heart attack early Friday morning. Early Sunday morning, the hospital called my mom and sister (they live in Florida) to tell them either my dad had, or was having, another "cardiac episode". They called back later to say he was gone.

My mom and sister are going to be contacting a funeral home in Florida tomorrow. My family is originally from Arkansas, and my dad wanted to be buried there. That's also where the funeral will be, with a memorial service in Florida afterwards.

Soon as the arrangements for the funeral are made, I'll be making arrangements to go to Arkansas, then back to Florida for the memorial. I don't know how long I'll be staying.

My sister and I (and I'm sure my mother as well) have been expecting this for a while, but it's still hard. My parents had been married for more than 50 years.

Anita

I'm sorry for the loss of your dad. Sometimes craft organizers refuse you because they already have someone else lined up. Sometimes they're just idjits. I don't know your case, but one of the local craft fairs plays favorites with their own relatives. Have a safe trip.

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Irena
Closed minds are like faulty parachutes; they refuse to open.

I'm sorry about the loss of your dad. I lost my biological mom this past Wednesday morning after a long 2 year battle with stomach cancer.

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Haven

Anita and Haven, so sorry to hear about your losses. You will both be in my prayers.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

So sorry to both of you

I'm sorry for your loss.

Anita - so very sorry to hear about your Dad. No matter how prepared we think we are for this - we aren't. Stay well. I hope you come through the grief when you are ready, and are able to remember the good times you had with your dad.

Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes.

I'll be leaving April 4 to go back to Arkansas. The funeral will be April 6. After the funeral, my mom, my sister and I will be going to Florida, and the memorial service there will be April 13, and I'll be returning to Colorado the following day.

I have all my plane tickets booked. Well, my mom and sis are taking care of the Arkansas to Florida trip, since we'll be coming back from Arkansas together.

My male mastiff is going to stay with his breeder. My girls (mastiff and Giant Schnauzer) are going to a kennel that I have used in the past. The schnauzer (Vita) has been there before, but the mastiff (Eureka) has not. I'm a little concerned about how she will do, but she will have her big sis there, and I am requesting that they be kenneled in the same enclosure. And they will have other dogs to play with (both my girls go to a doggie day care) and big play yards. I can bring their beds, any toys, and the food they are used to eating. My boy's breeder knows my girls, so I will be putting her down as the emergency contact for the dogs.

I still have to get the mail stopped and arrange for a cat sitter!

Anita

Anita and Haven, I'm so sorry for your losses! It must be very hard to lose a parent. Best wishes to you both.

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Linda

I learn so much when I can't leave well enough alone!

Glad everything is working out for you, Anita! It's so hard to plan when you've got pets. My daughter is getting married in July and I'm already trying to find a pet sitter that can stay at my house to care for 3 dogs, 6 cats (not all indoors!) and a bird.

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Linda
I know the voices in my head aren't real, but they sure have some great ideas!

Death is never easy for those of us who remain. Our loved ones are no longer suffering, but I believe they remain with us in spirit. Take time to grieve and remember them well. Also understand that there will be moments at odd times when grief will overwhelm you -- give yourself a break and just don't worry about it. The important thing is DON'T make any major life decisions for at least 3 months.

As to the Farmer's Market -- it's okay that they didn't take you. Something better will happen.

I wish you well and safe journey during this very emotional and difficult time.

Jill

My condolences for your loss. It is never easy, and we are never as prepared as we thought we may be. That is okay. We are human and it alright to grieve, normal to miss our loved one.
As you travel to be with your family and mourn your loss together, prayers are being sent your way for the peace that passes our understanding and for the love that cradles and comforts in our times of need.
Travel safely!

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Remember, it's not just that we weather the storm, but how we dance in the rain.

Tammy

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.