Sunday, September 29, 2013

Processing Loss

September has been such a weird month. 
It started with some of my favorite people coming to visit. 
Shortly after, my Gammy's condition took a turn for the worst. She was hospitalized for five days and then ended up on hospice, living with my parents. 
She passed two weeks ago. 



I haven't taken the time to blog because I knew it was going to be painful. 
Painful because there are so many memories and emotions to process.
As a nurse, I see sick people actively dying all the time. It's hard to see, but I cope by focusing on the medical and scientific aspects. 
But watching your loved one deteriorate and, essentially, die, is uncharted territory. 
I'm still not sure I will ever forget how wretched it was to see my grandmother in those final days. 
Or how the car ride to my parents house after I found out my last biological grandparent had passed. 
Or how it felt to see her frail body just lying there, completely lifeless. 

Despite all of these emotions and challenges, The Lord has been gracious to show Himself. 
I've had severely opportunities to fellowship with older women, similarly aged to my own grandparents. They have shown me wisdom, love, grace, and comfort during this time of loss. 
The Lord ultimately and perfectly shows these attributes, but I am grateful for godly people who also reflect them. 

I used to take my grandparents for granted. They were people who had to love me, had to be there for me, no matter how much time or distance was between us. 
Now that I don't have grandparents, I wish they were here to experience their unconditional love and hear their wisdom. 
But I'm grateful that the Lord has placed other "grandparents" in my life. And I am grateful that I won't miss out on wisdom to be learned from the older generation.
I'm even more grateful for a God who shows me true, unwavering, unconditional love because of Christ's work on the cross.  

Cincerely,

Cindy 

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

10 on 10: rollercoaster of a day

today has been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster.
buckle up and remain seated, please.


best only way to start my day

choosing an auto insurance plan
like a big girl

purty flowers for hospice-bound gammy

my favorite kind of hospital visitor

love sporadic visits to costplus

being a newborn is rough work

happy 100k goldie locks

more gammy time

taking in a sunset is like stopping to smell the roses

meatloaf with hp sauce is true comfort food;
haters gon' hate.



today was filled with celebrating life
and preparing for death.
grateful that the Lord's presence was felt every step of the way.

"rejoice with those who rejoice,
    weep with those who weep."
         romans 12:14


ten on ten button

cincerely,

cindy


Saturday, September 7, 2013

when friends come to town

last week, some of my very favorite people came to visit.
they drove the rough seven hours from riverside to san mateo.
on labor day weekend.
with the bay bridge being closed.
that's friendship proven if i ever saw it.



good lookin' group a gals, huh?
we chatted and hung out sunday afternoon,
then headed to a couple of my favorite spots downtown san mateo.

the next morning, we were up early and off to sonoma!



  and what a beautiful day!







i had bought a groupon for a guided wine 
tasting tour through sonoma square.
we enjoyed looking at sites, meeting new people,
 and some yummy wines.








jennifer gave me a bad time for not blogging much lately,
so i started snapping photos of her.
sass is her middle name.





we then headed back to san francisco.
we purchased tickets for an alcatraz tour.
usually, we would have had plenty of time to get from sonoma to the embarcadero.
BUT the bay bridge was closed and there was more traffic on the roads.
i was nervous we wouldn't make it,
but God is good and we made it in plenty of time,
enjoying some great views along the way.







we made it to pier 33 and boarded to ferry to alcatraz.
the sky was beautiful and the weather was perfect!





and then we got to the rock.







we did the audio tour and it was amazing.
i went to the rock in school when i was a kid,
but all i remember is getting sea bay sick
and being completely freaked out.
the tour was well done and it was neat to see this
part of american history with new eyes.







laura was our resident historian on the tour.
you can tell she was in her element.


if you didn't believe me before about the gorgeous day, maybe you will now. 

since we were playing tourists,
i went ahead and bought the professional picture.
tens all around!

on tuesday, we went to a local coffee shop.
i didn't snap any photos, but it was a good time.
almond croissant, i love you.

all in all, a fabulous time spent with friends!
thanks again for coming to visit me;
love you ladies!


Cincerely,


Cindy

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

PinterTest Kitchen Fiesta!

Guys. 
If you read my blog,
especially the Pintertest kitchen blog,
you know that I am all about laziness working smarter, not harder. 

This recipe is just that.
I mean, who doesn't love tacos?

Three ingredients:
-chicken (6 boneless skinless breasts)
-16oz salsa
-1 packet taco seasoning

Put it in the crockpot for 4 or 8 hours on high or low (respectively).


It's not a great picture, but you get the idea. 
I URGE you to make this!
You will not be disappointed. 
This recipes gets five blondes straight up. 
In fact, I may be completely obsessed.
 
Linking up with *a very pregnant* jess
I hope you enjoy your tacos!



Cincerely,


*taco lovin* Cindy

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

mug swap 2013: let's sum up

my friend kim hosts a mug swap every year.
give a mug, get a mug.
pure and simple awesomeness.

being friends with the mug swap host has its perks.
like getting to send my mug to india.

INDIA.

those that know me know that i have a serious obsession with india.
i've been twice and yearn for the opportunity to go back.
sending a mug there was quite exciting, to say the least.

i knew it had to be special.
vineetha, my mug swap buddy, is an architect. 
i had this very special guadi inspired mug in mind,
and boy am i glad i sent it!
some other goodies needed to accompany this unique mug,
especially some of san francisco's own chocolate.
 

i sent the mug via USPS and loved that 
an indian woman processed the order.
when she saw i was shipping to india, we started talking a bit.
i love stuff like that.

while my mug was on it's way to the land of bollywood and spices,
i not so patientlywaited for my mug.

and then it came.
a pretty green box.
and then i took a closer look.

SPAIN!
my mug swap buddy was from SPAIN!
guys, i didn't need a mug,
the package from spain was sufficient enough.

but then i thought, ehhh, i guess i'll open it.

i'm sure glad i did! 
coffee, post card, and a super adorable giraffe mug.
and did you notice the super cute mug wrapping paper?
common!

judith, thank you so much!
vineetha, i hope you enjoy!
and kim, you have outdone yourself again.


until next year, y'all.
Mug Swap!



cincerely,


*muggin* cindy