On the 9th Day of Christmas

This is Christmas 2001 at our old house. We did a buffet instead of a sit down dinner. Guen was really into Nick Chavez hair products at the time.

On the 8th Day of Christmas

This is 2002 at my old house and we were celebrating Thanksgiving. We had no idea that would be our last holidays there, as a new house was in our future. We lived there over 9 years. The domino game is called "Mexican Train" and is a family favorite. Our table is never short of beverages.

On the 7th Day of Christmas

This is Christmas 2003 at the Molloys'. This was the first Christmas in their new house.

On the 6th Day of Christmas

Here we are in 2004 for another California Christmas. Those were dates hanging off the palm trees in the Molloy backyard that day. The picture of Guenevere with Camden is another of my all time favorites. We had a lot of laughter and fun during the holidays. I miss her calling me for advice.

On the 5th Day of Christmas

Here we are at my house for 2005. Guen collected Royal Albert's Country Roses, so I was gifting her collection.

On the 4th Day of Christmas

Christmas 2006 at Guen's house. I brought the food and set up an appetizer buffet. I like these pictures because Guen looks so relaxed.

On the 3rd Day of Christmas

This was Christmas 2007 at Guens house. It was Libby's first Christmas, and she was 3 months old. Guen made a fabulous meal that night...way too much food! I remember salmon, chicken, and beef with all the trimmings.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas

This was last year at my house. I remembering thinking days after it was over, that it was a particularly nice Christmas. When we found out that Guen was sick the following month in January, I was reminded of this. She had talked about her upcoming surgery that night as it was really on her mind. Because she was going to a very special doctor, I had no worries for her...convinced she would be all right.

The 12 Days Of Christmas

Guen loved Christmas and planning special dishes. I always looked forward to what she was going to make, because it would be delicious. She was a happy person and always looked forward to the future. Here she is helping to carve the turkey, Thanksgiving 2008.

Abundant Blessings

Praying that your Thanksgiving is filled with God's abundant love, and blessed with all the good things He takes such joy in giving.

This photo has always been my favorite picture of Guen. It captured something special. I don't know if I ever showed it to her. It was taken on Thanksgiving 2003.

Keep Your Fork

Consider the following true story about one dear woman who had followed the Savior and worshiped in the sanctuary of her church for nearly 70 years. She’d been diagnosed with a terminal illness and given only days to live. As she was getting her things "in order," the Pastor was called to her bed to discuss her final wishes. She told him which songs and scriptures she wanted at the service and what outfit she wanted to wear.

As the Pastor was leaving, the lady suddenly cried out, "Wait. There's one more little thing. I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The Pastor didn’t know what to say. "So that puzzles you, does it?" the lady asked the Pastor.

Then she explained: "In over 70 years of attending community socials and dinners, church functions and birthday parties, seems like every time some one would tell me, 'Keep your fork.' I liked to hear that because it meant something better was coming, like chocolate cake or pickled pears or pecan pie, something sweet and wonderful. So now I want my friends and family to remember me with a fork in my hand and when they ask, ‘What's with the fork?’ I want you to tell them: ‘Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.’"

The Pastor became teary eyed as he kissed his dear friend good-bye. He realized that, though he had been trained in theological mysteries, she had a far better grasp of eternity. For though she had lived a fine, long life, she KNEW something better was yet to come.

At the funeral, many, many people walked by the casket, for she was greatly admired in the community. They all saw the fork. Over and over, the Pastor was asked, "Why the fork?" And over and over he only smiled and said, “The best is yet to come.” During his message, he told what the fork had meant to her, and how he couldn’t stop thinking about it, and that now each one in the audience wouldn’t be able to stop thinking about the fork, either. For you who are godly and well loved of the Savior and your neighbor, the best is yet to come.-Author Unknown

CARA Scholarships Awarded

In my May 20th posting I mentioned a CARA scholarship named in my sisters honor. Yesterday, October 23, 2009, The Guenevere T. Molloy scholarship was presented to two recipients. The luncheon and ceremony took place at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Irvine, California, as part of their 16th annual statewide conference.
Guen was a previous treasurer for CARA, and she had a lot of friends in the organization. James, the former president of CARA spoke such kind words about her, along with Kimberley and Christy. My brother-in-law, Dave, spoke as well with loving memories of who his wife was. My mom and I were so honored to be included in such a heartfelt and tearful tribute to our Guenevere. Clearly she had touched and blessed their lives.

James shared a verse,

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

This is quoted and thought of often. Many people hold on to it as a life verse. Not coincidentally, last week the verse had a new freshness for me when the word "hope" had jumped off the page. Somehow I had missed that word all these years and just dwelled on the idea of future. We can grasp on to this present hope. Its part of His plan for us. He is truly The Living Word.

Six month Anniversary

Today marks the sixth month since Guen went to be with the Lord. Oh how she loved her dogs over the years. Here she is with Penny. These song lyrics (David Crowder Band) sum up how I feel:

after night
comes the light
dawn is here
it’s a new day

everything will change
things will never be the same
we will never be the same

Guenevere we miss you and will always love you!

For Libby

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Breast Cancer Awareness

October is breast cancer awareness month. Evelyn Lauder, daughter-in-law of Estee Lauder,took these pictures as a fundraiser for breast cancer research. They are so sweet and vintage. She founded the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the highest rated charity of its type. She also developed the pink ribbons that are now ubiquitous. Her website is: http://www.evelynlauder.com/ and http://www.bcrfcure.org/

Fun Coincidence

Well I mentioned last week about "Strictly Ballroom". This week on "Dancing With the Stars", Baz Luhrmann was the guest host! What are the chances? He was really great I thought. The show is an American version of the British "Strictly Come Dancing", which took the name from Guen's favorite movie that Baz wrote and directed.

The second song on the play list is the theme from the movie. Just click on the right arrow on My Playlist to hear it.

"Love is in the Air" is the theme music to Strictly Ballroom, one of Guen's favorite movies. Scott Hastings is a champion caliber ballroom dancer, but much to the chagrin of the Australian ballroom dance community, Scott believes in dancing “his own steps”. Fran is a beginning dancer and a bit of an ugly duckly who has the audacity to ask to be Scott’s partner after his unorthodox style causes his regular partner to dance out of his life. Together, these two misfits try to win the Australian Pan Pacific Championships and show the Ballroom Confederation that they are wrong when they say, “there are no new steps!” This film was one of the first mocumentaries and made by Baz Luhrmann. His other movies include Romeo & Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, and Australia.

A Great Reminder

PAUSE THE MUSIC ON MY PLAYLIST TO HEAR THIS VIDEO.

You Gotta Have Friends

I have been so blest throughout my life to have many amazing friends of all ages. They rallied around me with prayer, kindness, and gifts during Guen's illness. This is another remembrance given to me by a dear friend, Rosemeri. Since plants and flowers obviously die, I am so happy to have treasures that I can keep and show Libby some day.

Thank you Rolling Stones!

Guen would love Susan's new song, "Wild Horses", originally by the Rolling Stones. What a fun success story!

Five Months Ago

I miss you terribly Guen. Oh how I wish things could be different. I take comfort in knowing that you are extremely happy where you are. You dwell in joy now. I still don't understand...maybe I never will. The Holy Spirit continues to act as comforter, just like He said He would. You took so much with you and you left so many wonderful things behind. I ask God all the time to tell you how much I love you and miss you. It could be my imagination but I can hear you in my mind say "I know Noni, I know."

09-09-09

It was a big day today! The famous Libby turned 2. What a precious gift she is. These are some of the gifts she got. Both sets of grandparents popped in to wish Libby a great day.