Stuffed…..

Good Evening!   Today is Sunday July 22^nd.

I trust that all of you have had a good week.  I have had a busy week.  As my title suggests and I will explain, I have eaten too much this week.  I am not complaining because I had great company, but somebody could probably make the argument that eating out seven(7) nights in a row is a bit extreme and certainly does not help me in my quest to maintain my mid-section (which is already a tad large).  Next week, I think I may just hibernate a bit.

Sunday Night: I met my friend/house decorator and her daughter (Caroline / Anna) for a discussion on the house over the best HOT Chicken Wings in Charlotte.  Hallway Bathroom and 4th Bedroom are the first two projects.

Monday Night: I was invited to some friend’s house (John & Marsha, also Maggie) for Fajitas and all of the normal fixings that go with them.

Tuesday Night: I met a guy (Gregg) at a local restaurant who just lost his wife (Cathy) three(3) weeks ago.  She was a very special friend of mine, the secretary at Sharon Baptist Church.

Wednesday Night:  Big Time Fun!  A special lady (Holly) that Janelle and I knew very well back in the late 90s timeframe, kind of lost touch when we left Sharon Baptist, get reconnected over the last year via both Facebook and the blog.  She has been a huge blessing / encouragement to both Janelle and I over the last year and me over the last 10 weeks.  She has a history that includes being a personal care giver.  Anyway, we met half way between our locations at a very fun little café and enjoyed some serious Nachos that were loaded with all of the normal toppings and we talked….and talked…; actually all of a sudden they were dimming the lights and we realized we were the only ones left in the restaurant and they wanted to close.

Thursday Night: Another invite to go to somebody’s house (Robbie & Shelle).  Robbie is the pastor at Sharon Baptist and of course was a big part of ministering to us during Janelle’s sickness and services.  Shelle…well I have known Shelle since she was an early teenager.  Her Mom is kind of like my Charlotte Mom, I get a birthday cake every year, she worked at the High School and kind of watched out for my kids.  We have a tight connection with their extended family.  Anyway, great time / conversation.  They have just purchased a new house (to accomodate their growing family (two still in diapers)...) so I got to see the new residence.

Friday Night: Another invite.  This time four(4) doors down (Jerry & Cheryl).  The Houston’s moved into their house back in the same timeframe that Janelle and I did (25 years ago) so we have seen a lot around here, kids growing up, etc.  Another great time, Cheryl knows I am a Meat & Potatoes Guy so Steaks on the grill, Baked Potatoes, Salad & Bread were on the menu.

Saturday Night:  Britt / Kenneth came into town.  More on that below however I have to make sure my kids are well fed so we headed out to a local Mexican establishment, joined again by my house decorator and her other daughter/friend (Caroline / Carson / Sammy).

I kind of had a lapse in my Janelle blog mode, forgot to take pictures of every occasion.  That said here are a few.  The one on the left is Holly & I, in the middle are the Nachos we enjoyed and on the right is the Page Family (Harper, Shelle, Robbie, Hunter).

As I mentioned above, Britt & Kenneth came to town this weekend.  This was by far my biggest highlight of the week!  They got here Saturday mid morning.  Certainly some sad times as Britt started working on cleaning in my bedroom, Janelle's dressers / closets.  A task that needs to be done. She offered, really wanted to so that was the plan.  Ruthie her friend (maid of honor last summer) came by and helped for a while on Saturday.  Kenneth & I, provided some support, but also hung out at the neighborhood pool.  Late afternoon the Ian man showed up, Britt was ready to break for the day so we all just hung out on the porch and visited.  It was almost like normal..............but not quite.  Sunday was more of the same.  Had a nice casual breakfast served up by Kenneth & Britt while watching the British Open, Britt continued in her quest to get my bedroom cleaned up a bit.  We did take a break to go down the street and meet the new (and first) grandbaby of my very close friends Andy & Margie Nance.  Late Sunday, my children headed out for home (Raleigh, NC).  Britt wanted to stop by the cemetery, requested that I not tag along this first time back for her so I of course honored that request.  She delivered my weekly flowers.  So they are now gone, it is quiet around here, I am a bit sad and lonely.  On the left, Britt at work in my bedroom; on the right enjoying a little time with Miss Emiline Clare Nance.

My Janelle has now been gone ten(10) weeks.  Still hard for me to believe all of what has happened to the Hayes/Clausen family, that she is gone.  I still have a couple of voice mails from her that I listen to once in a while just to hear her voice.  I also have some personal pictures from the Visitation Service that provide my heart great comfort.  Here are a couple more pictures I wanted to share this week with you.  I am pretty sure the timeframe of both of these is Summer Time 2010.  On the left is Janelle with her mom Jessie and brother Bob.  This was during Janelle’s trip to Oregon to attend her High School class reunion (she was a 1976 graduate).  On the right is Janelle and Ann.  This was taken at the rehearsal dinner for Ann's daughters wedding.  Janelle and I had been invited to attend because Ann and Janelle/Ken are family.  For those of you who are interested, this is the picture that I used for Janelle’s obituary as well as what was used on the bookmarks and programs at her Services.  Great picture of two very special ladies at a very special occasion.

I think it is time to end now.  Thank you for your ongoing encouragement.  It continues to be a huge blessing to me.  At this writing…..I AM GOOD!  I will be back next Sunday night if you care to join me again…:-)

 

Ken

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Strength and Peace to You ….. Psalms 29:11

 

Comments

[Sharon D]

Thanks for continuing to update us, Ken. I am still praying for you and am happy to hear you are getting along. (I am one of Janelle's many online friends.) I check in every Sunday night to read your posts.

[Linda]

Have a blessed week.

[Jan Frost]

Laughing, Kenny! You should start your own show on the Food Network!! The only thing that you DIDN'T have last week was sushi! Maybe that's what we'll have when you come to Portland....to round-off your culinary roadtrip!!

[Joan]

Enjoyed it ken!

[Ginna G]

Still checking in on Sundays. Thanks for the info and remember Janelle lives on in all our hearts. Keep on Keepin on

[SueB]

I miss your Janelle. I'm with you - it's hard to believe she is gone. It sounds like you had a busy week. I'm glad you have so many caring friends. Take care my friend. Still praying for you here in Illinois. Big hugs.

[Tricia T]

I was thinking about Janelle just this morning and honoring her again in my heart for her sweet, glowing, vibrant testimony. I can't wait to meet her someday in Heaven!

I'm so glad to hear that you are doing well. God is good!

[Kelley Smith]

Thanks for sharing. :^)

[lynne]

Wow! Those are SOME nachos!
Love you, L

[Debbie]

Ken,

I think about Janelle often and miss her, too. Hope you have another busy/fun week. Look forward to the updates.

Debbie

[Kathy Mc]

Sounds like you are keeping busy and eating "well" ~ probably not what the doctor recommends but great comfort food. You deserve that as well as being in the company of great friends and family. You are truly blessed in so many ways…except for the loss of our dear friend Janelle. Glad Britt was able to address the bedroom clean-out and the cemetery visit as part of her healing process, too. Have a great week, Ken, and thanks for sharing your life with us!

[Goodly Creations]

Aloha, Keep checking in on Sundays to see how you are doing on your journey. Sounds like you had a full week, in more ways than one. . . So good to hear (as always) that you have such a large support group to help you along. Looks like you found a new member that you can now help along the way. . . You are blessed in many ways! You certainly have taken to this blogging thing like a fish to water. You do it so well. Do feel your Janelle would be pleased. Who knows, it may have been part of His plan all along!
Keep on taking care of yourself and accepting the care of others too. . . it blesses them as well as you.
Until next week, enjoy the days as you can!
Goodly Creations

[June K.]

My goodness you certainly did have lots to eat this past week. Nachos look good. Please do know that I think of Janelle, you and your family often. I ended up at a Pinkberry this week (only my second time at a Pinkberry). I got my yogurt and sat down and thought about Janelle the whole time I was there. Hugs.