Summer Time Blues .......

Good Evening Friends of My Janelle's Show and Tell Blog  (i like the way that sounds)…Today is Sunday, July 15^th.

Hot weather remains although not quite as stifling as reported last week. 

I trust you all of have had a good week?  All OK here, but still navigating the emotional waters quite a bit.  Staying busy is a good thing; hanging out with fun people in small numbers is also a good thing.  I am not too good in large settings where everybody is having fun, enjoying life unless they are all pretty close friends or family.  It becomes a chore so…. I am going to stay away from those situations as best as I can for the current time.  As the title suggests, I am certainly challenged these days.  Late last week / early this week...very difficult, Thursday ish on things have been quite good although Saturday night I had another "feel sorry for myself" time.  I am working hard on that aspect (not feeling sorry for myself)......

I jumped back into my first home improvement project (there are a few on the list).  First priority is finishing bathroom #2, the one guest use when they stay overnight.  I actually started this project last January, scraped the popcorn ceiling and made it smooth, re-tiled the bath tub, retiled the floor and painted most of the room.  That took me to about the week before Thanksgiving (i work slow) and we were expecting large crowds.  The vanity, we never quite got around to selecting it so after I ripped it out to tile the floor, I ended up putting the old one back just so the sink would be functional.  Now it is out again, I had some drywall repair work to do, hope to get it all painted early next week and then it will be time to pick out the vanity / light / faucet / accessories. One of the things I have found during my cleaning is My Janelle’s “lets redecorate the house notebook”; it has dividers clearly marked for each room, stuffed full with pages ripped out of magazines with different ideas.  I hate to shop, I would most likely purchase the first items I found so I am hiring some decorator help (a good friend from many years past)  to look through the book & house and go shopping and tell me exactly what to buy.  That is how Janelle and I operated (She shopped, She decided, We purchased, I delivered, I installed).  We really were a great team….:-).  Here is the project as of today….I will plan to show you a few of the finished project hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

 

Saturday, Roxy and I went to Bolton, NC.  We took the truck on this trip vs. taking the seat out of the EOS again.  This is where Kenneth’s parents (Jackie & Eddie) live.  Britt & Kenneth were going for the weekend along with Kenneth’s sister Emily and children Jesse & “little” Rob (big Rob had to work…).  Jackie's brother/wife/grandson (Jack/Susan/Tyler) joined us as well.  The main attraction of the weekend other than just fun times with the family is the Riding Lawn Mower races.  I decided I really needed to see this for myself.  So Roxie and I headed down, had a great time with the extended Freeman family, experienced Lawn Mower racing (from the sidelines), good food and good times including a Fireworks show/display that Kenneth provided.  Since it was late, we spent the night and then headed back to Charlotte this morning, made a stop at my favorite / peacelful location on the way home.  Here are a few pictures from my trip. Top Row (left to right); Britt/Kenneth just hanging out on the 4 wheeler, Kenneth / Jackie and of course Roxy enjoying a little conversations and the 1st heat of the races..that is Kenneth on the left / Eddie on the right.  Bottom Row (left to right); Me with Kenneth & Britt, Jackie / Emily / Britt, and my stop before making it home to deliver a flower to My Janelle.

OK, time for this week's installment of My Janelle pictures.  Most of the pictures I am finding do not have dates on them so I can only guess.  The one on the left I am assuming is Ian’s birthday in 1988 which would have made him two(2).  I am pretty sure on that because we are in the current house and he does not look three(3) to me.  I am pretty sure it is his birthday because the picture in the middle where he is wearing the same clothes….is most definitely Mother’s Day because both of my girls are wearing flowers selected for them from their favorite guy….:-).  Finally on the right, I am sure you know the timeframe.  This was one year ago this weekend, actually Saturday which was the 16th of July, Britt’s bridal shower.  Shown with My Girls is Janelle’s mom Jessie and Britt’s 2^nd Mom Jackie.

We are now unofficially into our one year timeframe that the journey began (July 12^th), in a couple of weeks the Freemans of Raleigh, NC will no longer be Newlyweds and two days after that (Aug 1^st) is when the Doctors informed us of the diagnosis and turned our simple life upside down.  I can feel the emotions coming on; there are going to be so many "One Year Ago Today ......" moments in the months ahead.  I am trying not to go there, but it is not working very well.

I believe that is it for this week.  As always, I thank you for all of your comments & emails & cards & visits.  It is a huge encouragement.  Busy week coming up, dinner plans on the schedule for Monday, Wednesday and Thursday with a very good variety of people who have been a part of Janelle;s and my life.

 

Ken

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

 

 

 

Comments

[Armando Cortez]

Sounds like a fun trip! I think you should have taken part in the races though. Hard to believe it's been almost a year since I started on this journey with you guys. It's hard to put into words how it has both blessed and strengthened my faith through all of the prayers, pain, and tears that were given, shed on your behalf. Just know that they will continue on your behalf as you continue on your healing journey. Blessings!

[Kelley Smith]

As always, thanks for sharing. :^) XXXOOO

[Marybeth L.]

Strength and peace to you as well, Ken. The Freeman's sound like a wonderful family. Roxy is one lucky dog! So glad you had a nice time. I am truly sorry for the hard times you are having ....I find that prayer will help me snap out of negative times, but then you already know that. Sounds like a great idea to work on projects around the house. Love the pictures, time sure goes by fast. Janelle looks so happy in the shower pictures.....good memories to have .....a happy wife :) Thanks again for letting us know how you are. I know that Janelle would get a big kick out of you blogging, and you do a great job of it. :) Take care.

[Janet Brattin]

What a great post Ken!! I love the photos, Janelle was so beautiful!! I just want to thank you and to say to you that it's ok to feel sorry for yourself right now and it's ok to remember all the beautiful memories, good and bad. That is all part of healing and very normal! I'm glad your taking care of yourself! I can't wait to see what vanity you choose!!!! Good luck, that's a huge project, don't forget to post photos!!!! Have a wonderful week!!! Blessings!

[Linda]

Thanks for the update. I look forward to seeing your home improvement pictures. Have a blessed week.

[SueB]

Again, I always look forward to your Sunday evening post. Great photos. It's okay that you do the "one year" ago thing. It's something many of us do with events in our life so don't be so hard on yourself. It's also okay to feel sorry for yourself. You've undergone tremendous sadness, a devastating loss, and now must deal with the loneliness of being just one instead of the happy two of a year ago. I pray for you on a daily basis as do so many others. Please reach out to Hospice's bereavement if you need them. I appreciate your continued writing on here and love to see all of your photos.

[Tricia T]

I've thought of you often these past two weeks as I've been in the hospital with my mom as she recovered from a stroke. I've been so thankful for God's Word, as I am sure you are. It is such a rock to lean on when your world falls apart. Janelle was such a testimony of this to all of us! I'll be praying for you each time the Lord brings you to mind this week - that you will be able to rest in Him and heal and enjoy the good memories without pain.

Blessings,

Tricia

[Jan Konetchy]

Thanks for sharing your life and that of Janelle's as well my friend Strength and Peace of the Lord to you and yours as well

[Connie F.]

Good Evening Friends of My Janelle's Show and Tell Blog.....I like the sound of that too! Sounds like you are keeping busy and that's a good thing; spending time with family and friends - that's a good thing; and remembering Your/our Janelle is a very good thing. I so enjoy seeing all the pictures you post in true Janelle fashion - you are doing a great job on the blog and I thank you so much for continuing with her blog. I continue to pray for your healing and comfort and I'm sending you (((BIG HUGS)))

[Lee]

You remain in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for sharing those beautiful photos of Janelle.

[Tresa]

thanks for sharing your pictures and stories, I think "Show & Tell home improvements" might be the therapy you need for the summer.

[Kelly Codd Greatrex]

lovely post Ken :) thank you so very much for sharing your stories and memories. keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

[lynne]

Ok, ditto above AND the videos on Brit's FB are hilarious. I think we're going to the races next year. Love you. X

[Kathy Mc]

Strength and peace to you also, Ken. Can only imagine the Summer Time Blues are typical for someone like you who has gone through so much in the past year. It's OK to feel down and lonely but it's even better that you find comfort in being around friends and loved ones…smaller groups may lead to bigger groups. It all takes time. Keeping busy is key. My BIL lost his wife to cancer in December (diagnosed in September) so he, too, is dealing with lots of firsts. Grieving is difficult but you seem to be doing quite well. Hopefully, this blogging is helping you heal somewhat ~ love reading your posts and seeing the awesome pictures. Have a great week!

[June K.]

Thank you for sharing, Ken. Hugs.

[Goodly Creations (Volcano)]

Aloha Ken, so good of you to keep us all in mind and up-to-date on your journey. As the others have said, it's OK to have those down days, the fact that you recognize them as such means all is OK otherwise. . . it's a difficult thing to loose someone you love. All those firsts will be reminders but also help lead to healing. . . Glad you are taking care of yourself and look forward to seeing how you finish the bathroom up. I remember when Janelle posted some pictures as you began the project. I'm sure she is so happy to know you are continuing her blog and getting a chance to complete some projects you both started. . . ;0)
As always, enjoy the pictures you choose to share. . . memory lane can be a fun place to visit. . . (what were we thinking??? regarding fashion, hair, etc.)
Until next Sunday, take care and strength and peace to you as well. . . You are in my prayers and thoughts for better days are being sent as well. . .
Goodly Creations

[Joyce Mehrberg]

This is got to be a very difficult time for you, heading into a very dreadful anniversary. Thanks for keeping us updated, and Hugs from San Diego.

[Erika T]

I think it's great to get some/a project going. Busy hands and all that. Also great that you are spending time with people. It would be easy to just withdraw and be sad so good for you. I think you are doing great considering you lost the love of your life. Keep getting up every day and going about your daily routine and I bet you one day, you will be surprised and find love again. Stranger things have happened.....bless you Ken.

[driving lessons Worcester]

This kind of hard feeling can happen to anyone. This is a kind of trials that we need to survive. Even you are experiencing this kind of situation, it can't stop you to do something and have fun with your friends.