Twas the month after Christmas...

Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house, Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse. The cookies I'd nibbled, the chocolate I'd taste At the holiday parties had gone to my waist. When I got on the scales there arose such a number! When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber), I'd remember the marvellous meals I'd prepared; The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared, The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please." As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt And prepared once again to do battle with dirt... I said to myself, as I only can, "You can't spend a Summer, disguised as a man!" So, away with the last of the sour cream dip. Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip. Every last bit of food that I like must be banished Till all the additional ounces have vanished. I won't have a cookie, not even a lick. I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick. I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie. I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.. I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore... But isn't that what January is for? Unable to giggle, no longer a riot. Happy New Year to all, and to all a good diet.

This was the cutest email with pictures of pigs but they just won't transfer...anyhow, you understand now why I must diet? :)

2 years ago right now...

I stood in the vets office after having put my beloved Boomer Jo to sleep. The hardest decision of my life...a truly rough day. If you have ever had a dog that you loved this much, you know. He taught us how to be parents before God ever blessed us with actual children. He was a terrible puppy and ate our brand new couch, cost us more than $ 1,000 to repair all of his mistakes. In the end the lessons who taught us were priceless. I used to be able to hear him saying...stick with me guys, in the end I will be a great dog. He was a great dog, a great friend, a great listener and boy did he love Dory and Crush. I miss him every day still but today on this day at this time it is really hard to believe he is gone and not coming back.

My friend Corrin.

In June 2002 I was 9 months pregnant and it was HOT! I had a job that depended on me and my sister (who was also very pregnant) to take care of everything. We were at the end of our ropes...needed someone who knew the business to take over...prayed and prayed for God to send us a really great person who could take care of everything :) In walked Corrin. Fully prepared to start working that minute.

Over the past 7 1/2 years she has been with me through thick and thin.
I had the baby and she was there.
I moved into my house and she was there.
We played bingo.
She graduated college and introduced me to the Cheesecake Factory.
She moved to Indy and we kept in touch.
She went to England and brought me back a beautiful rosary.
I had another baby and she announced...I am moving to Texas.
We went to Blogher and stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel with Nemo.
On January 14th, 2010 we had lunch together and she moved away.

If this was any one else I would have taken it with a grain of salt and moved on with my day but Corrin...she doesn't just talk about stuff...she gets it done. So she really is leaving and I can't help but feel sad. Friendships these days are not what they used to be, nearly 8 years is a long time to be friends. Corrin and I are VERY different people who if we met on the street wouldn't even stop to chat BUT we know each other, accept each other and love each other. She is a friend to my children and my husband quite enjoys her also. She has been there for me anytime I needed anything, she was right there to offer her helping hand. I am going to miss her so much :( Things just won't be the same in Indiana without her and WATCH OUT Texas!!

Farewell friend. Hurry back! Good luck! I love you and you better know that!!

How the Fish family started...

It all started one summer day in 1990, Mr. Fish and I were on a blind date...with other people :) We broke up with the "others" and starting dating. My parents divorced when I was 13 and his divorced when he was 9. We talked about this a lot. We wanted to be married and have children and never have any problems :) but if we did we would work through it together. This was a vow we made long before a wedding when I was 16 and he was 18 and we were in LOVE :)

I went away to college in Oklahoma and he went to a college in Indiana. In 1995 we decided we wanted to be together forever.

We married one cold and snowy day in November of 1996.

Along the way we had a dog Boomer Jo born 1998 and died 2008. He was our first baby and boy did he prepare us! He was a chewer...couches, doors, bibles, photo albums, kitchen floors, pillows, curtains, shoes...the list goes on and on. When we had to put our sweet baby down (lymphoma) it was the hardest day of my life. I (THANK GOD) have had a mostly easy life with few obstacles and that one will go down in history. As I walked out of the room, after he was asleep and before he was gone, I fell into the waiting arms of my niece/best friend NatalieJanette. I was beside myself. I couldn't sleep or eat. 2 days after his death was Mr. Fish's birthday and at dinner he told me that he wanted another baby. One by one we started to add children...V in 2000, S in 2002 and A in 2008. That is also the story of why we waited so long to have A. And why we still don't have another dog...the heart takes a long time to heal.

Don't be confused the road has NOT BEEN EASY but I can't think of anyone I would rather have beside me, cheering me on. Mr. Fish is an unbelievable human being. He would give the shirt off of his back and then offer you his shoes. His spirit is contagious and his dedication is amazing. He is the greatest man that I have ever known. So when we lay in bed this morning, talking about where we had been and where we will go wondering what God has in store for us next, it really took me back. I said to him it is unbelievable to me that we are starting our 20th year together. We both are starting to wrinkle...we are growing old...together and I wouldn't want it any other way. I thank God for Mr. Fish and our 3 blessings every day. This, my friends, is what you call...Happily ever After!

Tracey

Written by my brother Tony:

Tracey is my dad’s wife’s niece. She was fine in late October and went downhill quickly. She has a form of Melanoma cancer that spread throughout her body, including her brain. Many people supported her in her request to have Christmas in Gatlinburg. The trip was a huge success and she had the chance to spend time with her family in a place they all love. She arrived back at home several weeks ago, after an emergency stop in Indy for surgeries to remove infections. Her attitude has been great, truly inspiring, but things have taken a serious turn. They are still believing in a miracle. She was admitted to the Hospice home in Tuesday.

Tracey went to be with Jesus on Wednesday January 6, 2009.

Thank you for all of your prayers! I called my step mother this morning and while we were talking I told her about twitter and how lifted in prayer Tracey truly was. She said Tracey told her Monday that she could feel those prayers and knew that many people all around the country were praying for her. I would also ask that you would pray for my brother Tony who was closer to her than any of us. We was with her yesterday just before she passed and this will be hardest for him. Here is the email he sent this morning.

I regret to report that Tracey – one of the most inspirational people I ever met – departed this life last night at 7:30. Surrounded by family and friends. They were filled with joy and thanksgiving for the life she had, and the love she shared with the world, not so much the sorrow at her passing, but the faith that they all share that she is going on to wait for them. She will be missed by her family, but people like her should also be missed by the whole world.

And all of GOD'S people said...Amen.

Her beauty makes me speechless...

The cross in New Orleans....

Part of the missions trip was to attend mass today at this church. Mr. Fish sent me a text message with this photo and then called to explain. During Katrina the stained glass window exploded and there lay this cross in all of the debris. If you look really close you will see a piece of glass sticking out of Jesus' side. Isn't it beautiful and ironic. My husband said he has never been so moved. God is great! They are coming home tomorrow, will you help pray for safe travel?