Best Friends and Farwells

I tried to write this on Thursday, but thought better to let her master and long time friend state it first. Rest in peace, Sadie. You were a great friend and companion to Kevin, you loved all of us and everyone, hated no one person or animal, you loved food, loved to run, and you loved Tasha and then Bailey (let's face it you didn't like fast moving animals). You chose to be in the background, making sure that people saw you but remained aloof, distant, until you heard the rattling of packages or food bags or someone finally recognized you were there! What a great dog you were, we loved you so much and we will always love you. You came to us as an tubby 9 week old puppy with your pink bandages (had her dewclaws removed) on your front paws what a sight you were all bandaged up and had a cone on your neck (yes which we promptly took off for you). You gave us your love and had an interest for us all. You survived a Parvo virus (and they told us your chances were slim), you survived Tasha's wrath and disinterest and actually made her love you. Tasha was a good gal and did love you all the way to the end of her life on Jan 5, 2007. You were diagnosed with elipsy and you had come through all of your medicines and seizures. After Tasha passed, then you coaxed us to get you a pal, so we found Bailey and from that point on...you had it made! Someone that was there for you! To play with, wrestle with, run with, and even run away from the house with! What a life you had, you pretty black girl! Your ears so soft and your coat shiny. When we tried to move you that funny little growl you made, just enough to tell us you knew we had our hands on you, you always made us laugh with your head tilted at the mention of a walk, ride, run, or food! You knew exactly what time of day you ate, every morning at 7:30 you would pace the floor or find us and sit in front of us to let us know you were ready for food. You would find us at 5:30 (well sometimes earlier) and you would get so excited when the food bowls were picked up, yup it was time for my food you would say! You were patient on those days that we weren't around until 8 or 9. Sadie was always a lady, well until she felt she had to cool off and then she would lie on her back with her paws straight up in the air just chillin'. You and Bailey made the move to the east coast, one I thought would be very stressful for you but you took in stride and actually enjoyed the cold weather! You were up for anything and always had a hug for us! Sadie - a doberman/dalmatian mix - a loving dog until the end when you got so ill and even then you were keeping up with the best of them until you told us - no more. Farewell Sadie Hardy - we love you lots and miss you bunches - chase those squirrels and say hi to Tasha for us -

Today as all of us know has been a look back and some of us looking forward. Forward to what is coming and grateful to the past for what we have been blessed to receive and live through. Ten years ago most everyone's life was changed even in the tiniest way. If we looked at people, really looked at them and said hello and wished them well. We, the citizens that reside in the USA became one voice for about 3 days, all were thinking of those people who lost their lives in NYC, DC, and Flight 93. We also thought about their families and how they were doing, some of us thought we needed to make an outward difference so they joined the service, some made their way to Missions and Rescue sights and are still there working with the residents, some prayed, a lot of us prayed (it is our God given right and we exercised that), some went to work to find better ways to catch the criminals and some wrote programs to keep the security systems up and running and better than they were before. All of us changed that day, that day whether you had any family, friend, connection all were touched by those explosions into buildings and the countryside, and the horrific crumbling of those two buildings in NYC. Today I watched a lot of the coverage of the 10th memorial of that day, I was impressed at how reverent the news media was today on every channel, at every memorial sight, how much respect they had today to make this about the remembering and paying homage to those who gave their lives, not voluntarily, most of those dear lives that were lost on this day 10 years ago were regular people going to work, less than a quarter of the lives lost were military, law enforcement, fire department or other civil service persons. It is amazing that we don't hear more of their stories, we honor those that gave their lives by doing their job, a job that they all "signed up" for, do we honor those over 3/4 of the 2,973 that did not "ask" to be put in harm's way? We should honor them, we should give their families a voice everyday not that they are "extra" victims, but they weren't in civil service they went to work that day. They did know (most of them) that their fate had been decided, they called their loved ones and said goodbye but who speaks for them today, all of us should. I watched again today, the footage of some of them at the windows and deciding their death as they jumped out from 100 stories up. God Bless them all. Nothing can take that from the memories of those below as they watched them in real time. Who takes care of those people with those images in their memories? God Bless them as they need healing, they need comfort, they need strength to keep moving forward. I pray for all of those people that left this world on 9/11/01, I pray for their families, friends and co-workers who survived, I pray for us as we continue on our paths that have been paved for us. May God Bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and give you peace. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Keeping you up to date.

Hi all!

I know that some of you have been keeping up with me while I am here in FL with my sisters tending to my Dad's belongings and such. Dad passed suddenly on May 13 just two weeks ago today. We interred him at the Florida National Cemetery today, a fitting ceremony/task on Memorial Day Weekend. As he was a WWII veteran and he should be remembered for that and so much more, we know he will be. Dad was a man that never dwelled on negative things, he did live his last half of his life with better optimism than he had the first half of his life.

He left a legacy of humor and kindness. All of his neighbors at the building where he had lived the past 7 years were sad to learn of his passing as well as each and every one of them told at least one of us that they would miss him terribly. So will we, but he lives on in our memories and stories and in our hearts.

God Bless you Dad! Paint the skys for they are your canvas now.

Another year, some new thoughts...

As I have reviewed the blog I realize that I have not "jumped in" here this year yet. Last year at this time I was back in San Diego/Temecula area awaiting my second stage surgery and visiting with friends as well as closing up the house ready to close that chapter of our lives and see what the "new area" had for us. Not close off our relationships with you all out there just be done with the property and all it's horrible "red tape" ends! I could rant on that for about 3 pages, but to suffice it to say that property has been put on the market for a mere $340K! Ah, about half of what we paid for it but hey you can't cry over spilled milk, so move forward! We have moved again, (I know I keep saying that) and we are settled here within the city limits of Falls Church with a nice little house with a big yard (lots of branches and leaf clean up), enough room for Craig and I and guests on a really nice street with kind neighbors and the items that had to be fixed are repaired so we are on a good slant right now.

As for me and work, well I am looking at all options and not finding many opportunities but I trust that one will present itself as soon as it will and then I will be working once again, maybe for myself maybe for some other company. One thing I am trying to keep in mind "I want something that is more philanthropic than corporate". The weather here has been spring, some days cold, some days warm, and all the while a little precipitation lurking on the horizon, that is always good. Weather. Craig's job seems to be holding it's own, the teams there are looking for work and so far he still has some contracts to work on so for the time being we are in a holding pattern.

During my birthday week this past January I took a quick trip to Pittsburgh, PA and visited some old friends and our old stomping grounds. What a walk down memory lane I had been back to Pittsburgh one other time with Craig and the boys but that was so fast and they had little interest in walking down those memories with me that I don't think that counted this time I was with my sister and she having most of the same memories it was nostalgic to see how things had changed yet remained the same. The old roads that we used to walk were recognizable but had highways built up around them, the neighborhoods were there but the houses were much smaller than I remember and I was there when I was 22. Some things the mind plays tricks on.

I keep thinking that I am healed from all my surgeries now, I even decided to see physicians again or start back up with them. I just felt that I had given over a year to doctors and their diagnoses, surgical plans, and complications that arose and I wanted to take a break from all of them, which really didn't happen as I broke my arm walking the dogs and had a couple of colds which led to sinus issues but at least I felt like I was taking back control of me. So this Monday I will meet with a local Oncologist here in the area and get the annual mammogram and start back on the path of keeping myself current with those sorts of things, not that I "thrive" on that but "knowledge is power" so let's not fear what they might have to say. Although the end of November I did find out that my blood levels were the best they had been in over 5 years! That's good news, so something I am doing is doing some good. I am alone most days which I thought was going to change here but that is under my control and I just need to get out and find some things to do, get involved in, keep my mind and body occupied as some would say and keep moving forward.

Til next time,
Hugs, Deb

The Annual Epistle (aka the Christmas letter)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! May blessings rain abundantly in the new year, as well as peace and glad tidings, wherever they may find you.

The end of 2009 and beginning of 2010 found us in a new area of the country. Craig and I relocated to northern Virginia from southern California, settling in Falls Church. We moved into a townhome in December 2009...and spent the next two months shoveling 55" of snow (a total of 4700 cubic feet). It's true what they say, "Be careful for what you ask for", seeing as how my wish for seasons came to me in spades. Craig arrived here in Jan of 2009 for a new job, but with tying off loose ends with the house in California, my cancer treatment and surgeries, it was December before I made it out here.

I returned to San Diego for another surgery in March, stayed there until the 1st of April, returned for Easter and then the end of the month my mom came to visit the East for 10 days. I had another minor surgery here in the area as I had a small issue (see earlier blogs) and the area took it's sweet time but, healed(7 weeks but hey whose counting?). As we moved into summer, our calendars were nothing short of full; Brian studied in London, Kevin studied in Germany and made his own European tour (alone!), and then on a very happy note, Craig and I celebrated 25 years of marriage this past July! We celebrated with a visit to family in Louisville, KY, and afterword I flew down to Florida with Kevin for a reunion with my sisters/celebration of Heather's 40th. Craig's travels took him to St. Louis a couple of times, and the fall found even more activity in the Hardy house!

We moved again, this time into the City of Falls Church proper. We spent 10 months in the townhome, before a wonderful early October email from the landlords, in which we were informed that they were to be transferred back to the northern Virginia area. Hence their need for us to vacate the property by the end of November. Soo, we moved yet again. Then I broke my arm and wrist while walking the dogs! Nonetheless, I managed to move the entire home (with some help from the movers and family) from a 4 bedroom house into a 3 bedroom house. With a bit of maneuvering of furniture and a storage unit, we've downsized from over 3300 square feet in November 2009 to 1700 square feet in November 2010! Well, with the kids gone, who needs all of those unused rooms anyway!

Christmas was especially nice this year, as we got to have both Brian and Kevin home for the Holiday. Brian had been unable to make Christmas day 2009, but visited for a short few days in January of this year. He spent a whole two weeks with us this December – though he and Kevin made sure they enjoyed a 3 day jaunt to New York City. It's been a wonderful holiday season, and I really can't wait to start the new year! My sister Sue will be flying out on the 7th of January for a 10 day visit, which of course includes a great day for me, my birthday on the 10th.

Annddd now for the individual downloads:

Craig's job out here is with SAIC. Though his office was in McLean, they moved to Springfield, Virginia in September, while executing a re-compete for the contract on which Craig works. This was to be awarded in October, but got pushed all the way back to December 23! As a nice little Christmas kick-in-the-???, SAIC had in fact lost the contract. Hopefully Craig's job will remain secure, but now we play the waiting game to see if the new award picks him up. Another possibility sees him getting on another contract here in the area with SAIC. Only time will tell, but he asked me about Monterrey the other day...I responded with "Don't be throwing a California Carrot in front of my nose." Everything works out in its rightful way, and who knows, we could be moving again soon! Kevin has said, "I feel like you're some sort of traveling show...not spending too long in any one home, just hop-scotching around making appearances." Well, perhaps there's some truth in that: catch the Hardy's while you can! We're only around for a limited time!

Brian's Architecture and Photography studies at Woodbury University are occupying almost all of his time! He is loving his studies though, especially photography. He of course knows everything about any building we now come across, has a very distinct opinion on the ones that he doesn't care for, and isn't afraid or ashamed to sound off in the slightest. It's been the same all his life! He seems to have absolutely loved studying in London over the summer; so much so in fact, he's now looking into studying next year in either Düsseldorf or Buenos Aires for his 4A semester (4th year, 1st semester). He's only one chance to do it, and although we've said, "Time and money. Time.and.money.", I'm sure he'll make the choice that he really wants. It was fantastic to have him for 15 days, celebrating Christmas as one big crazy Hardy family, of course!

Kevin is still at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. He just finished his first semester of his Junior year – only 3 semester's to go! He still says he has no idea what he wants to do "in real life", but seems intent on living in New York or Europe after school. Part of this definitely comes from his enjoying his summer studies in Germany. He was able to travel around Europe for 3-and-1/2 weeks after his 5-week Georgetown program, visiting various sights and cities, and reuniting with his brother in London for 4 days and Vienna for one night. He did realize while traveling on his own, that though it was enlightening, having no one to share all of the experiences, or take pictures with was a little lonely at times. He says he's intent on going again after he completes his undergraduate studies. His "Culture and Politics" studies are keeping him very busy and his marketing job at Georgetown's student-run corporation, The Corp, is going very well. The struggle of time-management is a constant in his life, though he's already begun the search for summer internships! He always seems to be concocting some sort of plan; we're excited and proud to see which, of the hundreds of life paths he's dreamed up since the age of 3, he starts to take!

As for myself, a bit of work found me from May to the end of the year. I contracted with a professional services company that works on government contracts, helping them set up their offices and personnel procedures. Once again, I found myself doing mostly accounting! I just couldn't shake it, apparently. However, I've finally hung up my accounting hat! I learned through this experience that I want to do some organizing of companies that have a non-profit element or interest. I think that would be a better use of my time, doing some good for people or companies that have a purpose outside profit. Then in November, in a just-my-luck moment, I broke my arm and wrist walking the dogs on the W&OD trail (a great multipurpose trail from Arlington in the East to way out West). Surprisingly, I actually didn't have to wear a cast. As the break happened at the radial head of the elbow, casting would have caused the elbow's immobilization, or "freezing the joint". Though the ortho doctor told me I could only lift a coffee cup with that hand/arm I smiled and said "yeh that's going to work". Again though, I did still have to move the house and settle most of it. A lot of help came from Craig and Kevin, and of course Robin and the twins – Mike was busy at the offices. My cousins Fred and Jennifer were a marvelous help as well, and of course the moving company pitched in. Kevin and Brian both decorated the tree and helped moving things around, although movement in our "little home" is on a one-way track! Craig did say to me the night before Brian arrived (which was just 3 weeks from the move date), "I keep saying this but you always manage to make us a nice home, Deb"! Okay, 2 things to note about that comment, 1)why do I need to keep making us a home? and 2)where is that couch with the bon bons? Thank you, dear for your kind thoughts!

I know that we may have once again packed this download with too much information, but I know that we have been blessed beyond our limits this year! God is good and still in our lives, especially at this time of year. We truly appreciate our friends, family and thank you all for your friendship, love and prayers!

God bless and have the happiest of New Year's.

Deb, Craig, Brian & Kevin

The other shoe has finally dropped!

A year ago I was wondering if I should move to the DC area, what I would find when I got here, what I was going to do once healed from all the surgeries, and what if any was my purpose for uprooting us from Southern CA to Northern VA area?

The answers go like this: I did move to the DC/Northern VA area, received over 55" of snow (remember I asked for weather), we shoveled our way out, found that I do enjoy the "changing of the seasons", had a horribly hot/humid summer, got reconnected with my cousins and their families, got a contract job which helped me identify once again that accounting is no longer my strong suit but organizational skills I got! Just settling into laying out where the holiday decorations are going only to be told that I have to move out of here and to somewhere else by December 1, not even a real Christmas here! Do I know where that is yet? Closing in but not quite there, so have two to pass by Craig today and figured out that in 4 weeks I need to be moving out of here so that we can have some semblance of order for Thanksgiving. I don't have the purpose yet as I haven't had time to sink in here and now it looks like I will settling in somewhere else.

I do enjoy being close by Kevin and his ability to visit when he wants or has to do his laundry. I do enjoy having Robin and Mike and the twins close by, kids grow up so fast, they need the older generations around them. I do enjoy the seasons no matter if they are severe or mild. I don't really enjoy having to make new friends as you get older it is harder to have that immediate connection with them, you know school age children and/or church activities. We are still looking for the church home but now that will wait until we get settled where ever the new "home" is to be.

That's all just wanted a few moments to vent, it helps the pressure cooker let off a little steam! My faith is in He who walks among us and guides us every day, His small voice is hard to hear but if you strain you will hear it just like I do. "Go forward"!

Hugs, Deb

The year arrived and now is gone.

This past Friday was my one year anniversary of my surgery/reconstruction. Comments?

It was a funny day, I mean not laughable funny but funny/odd, and I worked at the office. What a normal day, right? Yes, normal life is returning to Deb's life. Although it's a different normal not the same and that is a good thing.

I have been doing well just so you know before you ask.

I know that all of you have been keeping me in your prayers, thoughts and I thank you for that and I appreciate your love and friendship.

Hugs, Deb