What a week.
I would have gone on and on here about how tired I was returning from vacation and all that’s wrapped up with “rejoining the real world” after a week filled with sunshine-y happiness. The amount of laundry I had to do to wash away the sweet smell of salty ocean breezes and suntan lotion now meaningless compared to the news I received when I returned home.
My oldest first cousin (but not much older than myself) lost her battle with cancer this week. Just like that, she’s gone from us and this world. From her diagnosis to this finality….maybe it was six months? A rare form of cancer had moved in and taken over without a lot of symptoms to warn her of its presence. Chemotherapy was started in hopes of prolonging her time here with us. Sue was a fighter…until the very end. But she couldn’t tolerate it and the treatment was stopped as quickly as it started. Sadly cancer won.
It’s hard to really accept that this vibrant being is now gone from our lives. She was young…strong…full of energy. Sue was by far, a force in this world, always living life to its fullest. She always “told it” how it was and I appreciated that more than anything. As a nurse she spent her whole life caring for others and likely found it hard to accept that level of care from others in her time of need.
While she has left a big hole in our hearts she will never be forgotten. I truly hope her loving husband, children, my Aunt, her siblings and other extended family find the peace, understanding and acceptance they need to keep smiling and living their lives gracefully in her memory. Sue wouldn’t have it any other way.
While a dark cloud was present this week, responsibilities do carry on. The 6th grade science fair was on the agenda. My son did a really cool project to test “Paper Airplane Flying Distance by Paper Weight”. He really enjoyed building a launcher and figuring out which planes flew the furthest.
Thank goodness for some good mail days this week. A huge box of Peeps showed up on my doorstep. I had no idea there were so many kinds. My kids really loved the Peepsters chocolates filled with marshmallow cream. It was something different for them.
And to top it all off, Kettle Chips sent over their new flavors. I am so excited to try them, but afraid to open the bag knowing I will eat them all.
Have you entered my Giveaway for a $100 Visa card?
Things I’ve seen around the web this week:
15 Foods you won’t believe you can make in the microwave.
The cutest cookies.
Darling Easter dessert.
A bunch of FABULOUS Quiche recipes for Spring.
THIS milkshake. Swoon.
90 carrot cake recipes that will inspire you.
Rub this on your meat.
This frosting needs to go on everything.
Artful polenta.
12 knockout Bread Pudding recipes.
Yummy looking Spring salad.
Spring inspired skillet pizza.
A gaggle of Spring veggie recipes.
This lovely pie.
Casserole of the week.
15 Simple & Tasty Slow Cooker Pork Recipes
Breakfast I want right now.
And then there is this frosting too. Yum.
More Easter dessert adorableness.
Asian food fix for the week.
50 swoon-worthy grilled cheese sandwiches.
That is all friends, until next time. See other editions of Bites of Life.
One Year Ago: Decorating a Thirteen Year Old Boy’s Bedroom
Two Years Ago: Party in the City Where the Heat is On
Three Years Ago: Apple Matzo Cake
