It has been a very long time since my last post. Lots of sadness this past year. We lost many loved ones. Just kinda been rambling through, trying to find a way to come to terms. Then I realized that the only way is to continue on, hopefully bringing my best memories of them with me.
My beloved angel, Faerie Princess passed away on December 9. She died in my arms as we lay in bed. For a very long time, she was my whole world. I even named my daughter after her. Her full name was Faerie Princess Olivia. My daughter's name is Grace Olivia Mary. The Mary is after my husband's Grandmother. I miss her terribly. I feel her loss every day. Though she was older, it was unexpected. I can barely type this through my tears.
On March 2, my husband's aunt passed away after a truly courageous battle with cancer. She had the faith of a child. Such a loving woman.
We barely had time to grieve her loss when my husband's father, Gracie's Papa, passed away after fighting his own battle with brain cancer. He left this world peacefully on March 13. Part of me still feels like he is still here. I still expect him to answer the phone when I call my in-law's home.
I have never seen so many people at a wake. He had so many friends. He was buried in Abraham Lincoln Cemetery. He was a Marine who fought in Vietnam. The ceremony was beyond moving.
On March 26, our dear sweet McGillicuddy went to heaven with Faerie. He had tumors in his lungs that could not be removed. He stopped eating. Nothing could be done, so we held him as the doctor gave him an injection. I miss his constant companionship. He was everywhere I was. Always. Sometimes, I see a shadow and for a brief moment, I think it is my McGillicuddy.
On April 3, my husband's Grandmother, Mary, passed away. She was my heart, so gentle, kind and loving. Her smile was a constant in our lives. The loss of her daughter and her son in law took a toll. She died peacefully in her sleep, surrounded by loved ones.
As you may know, my adoptive father passed on May 9 of 2015. The anniversary is this Monday.
I am forcing myself to write this but I can barely see through tears. Just reading it overwhelms me. On top of this, we suffered our final miscarriage. We will not make any more attempts. God has spoken and He said "no".
I never really connected all this together in one experience, so to speak.
The words seem so shallow. It does no service to the full weight of the emotion, grief and sadness behind each letter of those sentences, as if each letter was created of White Dwarf Star matter.
I have been very sick most of the year, as well, a severe allergic reaction to medicine last June put me in the hospital for three days. There I caught a terrible flu, followed by two bouts of pneumonia, mono and now an inner ear infection, which is waning, thank goodness.
I really hated not being able to do the things I love to do. The garden needs tending this year, which I am planning on beginning this weekend.
It is time to stand up and walk on...
Faerie Princess asleep in the sunroom. You can see a glimpse of McGillicuddy's tail.
McGillicuddy in the library.
I did take time in November to redo the Master Bedroom. We found a bed on Craigslist that I had wanted for a while from Pottery Barn but the price was a bit steep.
The bed replaced a king size sleigh bed we also found on Craigslist.
Funny, we bought a king size because we thought all our pets would be sleeping with us. They didn't. They do now that we have a smaller bed!
The chandelier was an ebay find.
We found the cassone, or carved hope chest, on Craigslist as well. We drove to St. Louis to pick it up. The carvings are stunning!
My dad loved this and was excited to see it in place. Sadly, he passed away before he could see it.
Added Italian altar candlestick lamps to the bedsides.
The painting is Rembrandt's "Storm on the Sea of Galilee". It reminds us that God is in charge, no matter what comes our way.
Lamp on my side. To give you an idea how big the room is, the table is 40" across.
Dressing table, mirror, bench, all found on Craigslist.
Handome Husband's bedside.
You can see the huge, gilt mirror we found free on Bookoo, a Craigslist-like site.
Both the Christos figure, from a church in Milwaukee and the Prie Dieu were found on Craigslist.
My Faerie Princess helping me here. The armoire was a Craigslist find, as are the settee, table and sconces.
I replaced the settee with this chaise, also found on Craigslist and the bombe chest. McGillicuddy loved this spot.
Larger view of the gilt mirror, angel statue and the buffet we use as Handsome Husband's night table.
I have always loved the work of
Tara Shaw, her white walls, religious artifacts, French antiques. Some day, I hope to own some of her pieces, until then, I will continue to scour Craigslist!
The Master Bedroom exudes a sense of serenity. It is a very peaceful place to lay our heads after a long day.
Thanks for visiting me, friends! I am on my way to go visit you!
xo
Andie
