Sunday, September 5, 2010

My husband, our poodle, our home, our life

this is my precious husband, Ned, along with
FiFi, our poodle, who is sitting on the pillow,
in our family room.
me, with my daughter's 2 Labradors in the same room

 
back garden, rolling down to a little creek which ran across the
entire back property line, the 3 pedestals belonged to one
of my girlfriends who passed away - her sons gave them to me.

our living room had 34' ceilings, making it possible for me to have
a Christmas tree 25' high.
by request, a photo of part of my closet.
it had been a tiny unused bedroom, I had it built to
exact specifications so all my skirts & pants would not touch the floor,
special a/c for my fur area, the counter doors open to reveal individual
drawers for my jewelry.  my husband's adult children who think I spent
 his money didn't understand that I already owned all this stuff
when I married him, making it necessary to build my own closet
(because he occupied the entire master bedroom closet already).
bit of humor, almost.
& remember, I worked at Sak's 5th Avenue.


me, when I first met Ned in 1998, we
were married 1 year later (he took himself
out of this pic because he didn't like it)
:)


me, on the streets in Cannes, on our honeymoon



Ned & I on the far right, Mari & her husband, & Marti in the middle.
Mari & Marti, my 2 best friends in the world.
All 5 of us together arriving at a Christmas party.

My 3 friends on the left are all deceased.
My husband is in the final stages of Alzheimer's.
I am the only one left.


 This has been a life-altering &
life-shattering series of events for me. 

The happiness I had was brilliant, the love for my
friends & husband will never be replaced. 

But,  it is time to move on with my life, which I've
had on hold for the past 4 years.
All of my blogging friends have made me realize how important
it is to look upward & outward. 
I am smiling, and I am content.







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31 comments:

  1. There is no reason you don't deserve so much happiness to come.

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  2. I seem to be having a very emotional week-end....and for some reason, this post made me cry even more!!!

    You, my beautiful friend, are STUNNING....I knew you were but just look how gorgeous you are in your photos....WOW!!

    I smiled at the wardrobe comment - is it okay to say that? ;)

    I love the name Ned....just yesterday I read of a small boy called Ned and I was thinking how you rarely hear that name these days.

    You must have wonderful memories of your friends in that last photo.....hugs to you Marsha xoxo

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  3. PS I wanted to say that your home is gorgeous and you look incredible in that red dress!!!

    PPS I need a little favour over at my blog....please!! xoxo

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  4. This is so not fair!My Dad has alzheimers and it is just so sad to see these confused and unhappy people trying to work out what is happening to them,wanting to escape becos they feel trapped!How old is your husband?It just doesnt seem right this is happening to you(let alone anyone else)Your pain from your losses must be indescribable and I ache imagining it! Thank goodness for this amazing blog world. I think I would have drowned this year if it werent for the hope blogs offers.My heart and thoughts are with you, Fiona

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  5. This was splendid to see the personal you, pics of your husband, dogs and home. it was a pleasure and a treat. Thanks for sharing.
    Yvonne.

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  6. I am sure that it must have been so hard for you to post this Marsha but I am also sure that it has been cathartic and has helped you make these big life-changing decisions. Please know that I am thinking of you.

    Blessings and best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  7. My beautiful Marsha:-)*
    I knew that you are very special woman,absolutely knew it...
    And that's true!!!

    You amazing post tuched me so much,my dear friend...
    And how incredible nice you are on those photo at the street in you great elegant,fabulously nice dress!

    What an Story,what a tuching...
    You Home is so inveted,just LOVE all you photos with a dogs and you lovely,nice shoose...
    I get feeling that I visiting you and it makesme emmotional,realy!

    Love,
    ***Violetta***

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  8. Marsha

    You are a very special 'lady' gifted talented, always kind with your comments, beautiful, and loving towards your family friends, and the blog world.
    Life is full of uncertainties, and twists and turns, as hard as we try and plan and organize, somehow there is a divine plan, that overshadows all our best laid plans, the only thing we can do is live in the moment for truly that is the only thing we have for in reality there are very few things we can actually possess except what we carry in our hearts. Yours is a big one, you walk in grace and dignity and doing your best with all the beauty you bring to our world through blogging and sharing your art and talents.

    Happy to have met you in this imperfect world of blogging.
    Cheers,
    Joanny

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  9. What a special post and how lovely of you to share such intimate and personal things with us. I think that it can really help to share these things. You have had a wonderful life filled with the love of your family and friends and you also have much to look forward to but I'm sure that it is also a difficult time for you as well.
    You are one beautiful woman...inside and out. Lots of love to you. XXXX

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  10. I am so sorry to hear about your husband. Your photos and memories are beautiful....they keep those you love who are no longer with you...with you. My whole heart goes out to you and hope that you have happy days in the future. Rosemary

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  11. My biggest regret is not recognizing all those happy times and appreciating them. Life is so fleeting and what it's truly about is the love of friends, and our beloved family. It's true, you value your friends and family like treasures and your heart is always so full, thoughtful and kind. It was my great joy to see photos of your Ned, gorgeous you and your friends. No more putting your life on hold, live for today my friend. My father is leaving for a 2 wk trip (drive) to Montana, WY tomorrow all by himself. He said he was doing well packing until he pulled out the suitcases. It's his first long journey by car with out my mom. I'm so proud of him for going. He's realizes now that sometimes there is not a tomorrow, or next month. I'm trying to live by that motto, always trying.
    Sending you love, deb

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  12. My heart is beating fast and I am just filled with mixed emotions! On one hand, I am so deeply sorry for your loses and the battle you feel you are losing right now. On the other hand, I found myself smiling right back at you in these awesome, amazing, beautiful photos of your life and all the gifts in it. Thank you so much for sharing. Your home is just a dream, your closest...also a dream. Your beauty and your beautiful husband are a dream come true. And your darling dogs totally hit the jackpot with you as their guardian! My best to you and as much love as I can send your way, just like the love you've dared to give. Hugs, Kelly

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  13. Dear Marsha, I'm so sorry! You've had a terrible time! Oh bless you. What a sad thing to go through for all concerned.

    I was reading Simone's blog earlier and watched the cartoon video on there. I sobbed, have you seen it? It's beautiful though too.

    That's funny she should say that because I was talking to my friend about boys names and Ned is one of my favourites names as well!

    Your friends, dogs, home and garden look gorgeous, as do you. Thanks for sharing your pictures. Thinking of you...

    You are a wonderful person. I think you're totally fabulous and I'm delighted to have met you. Much love, C xxx

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  14. Wonderful posting made me little sad. Thank you for sharing your beautiful life.

    Julie xx

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  15. I am sorry for the journey you are on, but grateful for you for the memories and love you've shared with friends and Ned. You are beautiful inside and out. Thank you for sharing your life with us so we can lift you up. Love and hugs from Dallas! Joy

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  16. Dearest Marsha, God bless you as you live this part of your life. What is familiar to us can change in a split second and the only thing that stays stable is a mighty God and His written word.

    You have been through much. May the good Lord bless you with sweet friends that will enrich your life in the here and now.

    I am very sorry that your sweet husband has this dreaded disease and you have lost your dear friends.

    Marsha, life is full of surprises and some of the things we go through we didn't plan or ask for. I have to pray a great deal and trust God that He knows what He is doing...because in the natural it sometimes doesn't make sense.

    This Thursday is my second surgery to remove the rest of my cancerous thyroid. I'm not looking forward to this at all. From here I shall see what to do next.

    God bless you and I am going to pray specifically for you and may you have peace.

    Love you!
    d from the Kansas prairies

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  17. This is a great post There was me thinking as I was looking at your handsome husband, your beautiful home, your beautiful self, your fab closets....here's another person whose life is absolutely sussed...and then to read that it's not all quite as it seems, wow! Really good post, thank you.

    Wish I was closer and I could give you a hug. But I've got my gardening clothes on anyway, so I'm a bit grotty.

    I wish you the very best.

    Ali x

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  18. oh you sweet girl. Life is all about seasons and God has obviously blessed you with a beautiful season of life (you have got to live out the things most girls dream of) now you get to look forward to a new season in life, which is a blessing in disguise! So please don't forget to remember that our lives are gifts and we have to learn to love each day, truly. From the bottom of my heart I know that there is something bright ahead of you, something to look forward to and as long as you know that God loves you....LOVES you, everything will be just as it should.
    I will keep you and your husband in my prayers. I hope you know what a blessing you are too, to others. You bless your husband by writing this post. You bless me constantly with your comments, you have no idea what it means to me knowing that someone reads what I write and what I like, its humbling.
    So thank you for being part of my world!

    and your pup is cuuuute!
    XOXO

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  19. I was about to rush up and tidy my own wardrobe when I saw how perfect your closet is, and your lovely photos, then I read further - these things just are not important are they? It is the people in our lives, and the memories that count xx

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  20. Thank you for sharing these touching details about your life. I am reminded to appreciate my friends and family more as our time together is so short.

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  21. Dearest Marsha, You are truly a beautiful and amazing woman. Your zest for life is so contagious one would never have a clue what you are going through. I have huge respect for your transparency and the trust you have placed in those of us who have become your friends. I don't take your courage lightly and will diligently pray for you. Thanks so much for this special glimpse of your life. Mona

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  22. Marsha, you are so full of life and so absolutely sweet. A beautiful person all around. I really enjoy being in touch with you, I think it's a blessing and I am sure your friends all felt the same way, life is short is it not? and full of surprises. My very best to your husband and Much love to you...

    Nuit

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  23. Marsha,

    I'm so sorry for all of your loss. I completely sympathize. Your home is beautiful. Please take care of yourself. Glad you are trying to see that blue skies are ahead. I'm thinking of you.

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  24. Dear Marsha, first of all this post is so beautiful! You have decided to let go and move on..what a blessing!! Not easy, but you seem to have what it takes! And how beautiful you are...and I love your house! The back garden is just lovely, your living room too and your closet...how I wish I had one! Wishing you a great new week and thanks for sharing so personal!! Hugs, Kristin

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  25. Oh, how touching. Such a moving post, it is wonderful, the life that you have had. Clearly you have made Ned's life so much better by being in it, adult children be darned! On a more upbeat note, I love that you wear fur in Texas (you are in Texas, aren't you?). Our friends do it in Savannah, as well, I love it.

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  26. Marsha,
    What an absolutely beautiful woman you are. I am sorry for the hurt in your heart and I know these last days with your darling Ned are hard. What a cutie he is...none of us are guaranteed tomorrow so do live each day to the fullest.
    Many blessings and love....Renae

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  27. I am on the verge of tears, my friend! I cannot imagine how you must feel but I know that those around you must have enjoyed sharing their life with you very much. You are such a sweet person, a very loving person, and though I only know you through blogging, I would be happy to know you in "real life", also :)

    xoxo,
    Sarah

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  28. Tears and smiles all at the same time Marsha. How beautiful that you let us in to your home and shared so generously.
    I am so sorry to hear about the Alzheimer's and the loss of your three musketeers. Life is cruel that way but I know you have a heart full of fond memories.
    I am hugging you all the way from Sydney and wish I too could curl up in that corner of your sofa with Fifi and listen to all your stories. I am sure they are plentiful and all equally amazing.

    Before I go, let me also say how beautiful I think you are. Your style and elegance shines through inside-out!

    xxx C

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  29. Your post made me both smile and cry at the same time...I lost two of my best friends in the last 2 years and my beloved father, so my heart is with you! You have a wonderful attitude and if I've learned one thing over the last few years is to "enjoy each moment, like it's your last" I was going over my photos this weekend and smiling at the friends that are no longer with me, but oh what fun we had, what memories we made - those are forever. Sending you much love and warm hugs! xxoo :)

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  30. Dear Marsha, I've only just made it to your post...it is Tuesday morning, sunny in the North of England..no rain ah! But there are tears, your writing and photographs of your lovely home and adorable handsome husband along with your beautiful friends so brought tears to my eyes. You are my inspiration! Since I chanced upon your delightful and very beautiful blog I have visited every few days to gaze upon your photos of delectable fashion and people and to listen to your music.
    I wish you were just around the corner, then I could make you a coffee,and we could eat Eccles cakes.
    "See you, here then? In five minutes, for coffee and hugs galore!"

    There is only the sea between us, but we're all under the same sky! Smiling now...one of my older posts speaks of certain ones of us who shine, who light up a room even when it's dark outside, "I see you shining."
    Like Sting sings, 'How fragile we are...' Much much love Jane x :)

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  31. marsha;

    you so kindly offered condolences and congratulated charlotta and i for our memory blog to marija. there was no hint of your grief.
    reading your post, especially the last lines, hit me hard. i need to get up and dust myself off as i did just learn, there are no tomorrow's.
    thank you dear marsha for sharing and for reaching out. i wanted you to know what a valuable gift you gave me today
    lovingly
    debra

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