my uncle chuck

My cousin Mike posted this photo of his father, Charles Tyrone Flintroy, on Facebook yesterday and it brought back a flood of happy family memories. This photo is part of a collage that my father, Gordon Franklin Bower, made for his sister (my Aunt) and it now resides in their family room. Both my uncle and father lost their battles with different forms of cancer years go. They are gone but in our hearts and thoughts daily. 

I have been having a lot of thoughts about death lately. Not in a dark, scary way - just in the way that I really hope that I am not forgotten when I am gone. I have lost a lot of people that are close to me in my life - my grandfather, my father, my uncle, my grandmother to name only a few. I am amazed (and ashamed) at how little I think about them. But then I realize that I am LIVING with them every day. The times I spent with them are engraved into my soul and if not consciously, unconsciously they are a part of my heart every time it beats - they are a part of me.

Most of my family on my dad's side lives in California. Chuck worked for the trolley system in San Francisco and he was working all the time. I didn't see him much - he didn't visit Vancouver many times and when we visited them he would be working - but I would always speak to him on the phone and he would always say, "Hey Baby Girl - How's my girl?". Oh my heart melts just thinking of his dark, sexy, southern voice.

Thinking of you today Chuck ... thinking of all of you. xoxo

hello friday inspiration

thursday's inspiration ...

WOW! This week sure has gotten away from me. What am I saying ... the month of September disappeared on me :) Enjoy the end of your week friends!

And just for fun - this is how I feel these days :) Yellow has always been my favourite!

2 years ...

And we are both still alive and well ... I consider that a success :)

Happy 2nd anniversary to the love of my life, my partner in crime and my best friend. Where the heck has the time gone? I love you Chuddy bear! xo

hello fall ...

I just wanted to tell you that I love you. That is all!

a new week and new inspiration!

A new week. A new focus. A new direction. A new attitude. Yes!

who doesn't love patrick?

I just finished this audiobook and I was so sad when it was finished. Some days I wanted to just sit in my car and listen to Patrick telling his story but alas - work or home life called :) Can you believe that there almost wasn't the line "Nobody puts baby in the corner!" in the movie Dirty Dancing? Insanity! Patrick's life was one big love story with his wife Lisa - intertwined with different career choices and circumstances ... and horse :) The love between them was beyond words - so beautiful. I am sure that the hard copy version of this book would be just as amazing but you would miss out on Patrick's giggles here and there throughout the chapter. Love!

recently ...

A random find at the library. Nope, I hadn't seen it before and yes, I knew how it end but I still really loved it. Adorable and who doesn't love Jennifer Aniston? And yes, I cried. :)

We just started Season 4 and I am even more in love with Jax than I was before. These guys are just too cool for words. LOVE! And I have all my friends hooked on it - and wanting to be a part of a motorcycle club and be our husbands' old ladies. That's just how we roll ... in our make belief worlds :)

friday's inspiration ...

it sure was ...

latest wish list item ...

Dear Santa ...

via

Thank you! xoxo

happy hump day inspiration ...

happy ...

"Talk Like A Pirate" Day! Have a great Hump Day me hearties!

tuesday's inspiration ...

recently ...

A random DVD that Chad brought home from work. Don't ask - ha ha! Whenever I see Ali Larter in a movie, I am really just waiting to see the whipped cream bikini. All I see is Varsity Blues. 100%. And Beyonce - oh Beyonce ... sing girl. Sing, sing, SING your heart out. But please don't act. Pretty please ... with a cherry on top of that good old whipped cream bikini. Thank you. Your singing fans.

This was a random pick up from the library. I am a sucker for any and all soccer movies. The acting was pretty lame but hey - it's a soccer movie people! At least the lead actor was cute :)

This is my most recent audibook listen and I LOVED IT! It is an adorable story and a must read (or listen) for anyone who loves a good piece of a chick lit. And if you are like me and enjoy books based around cooking - the descriptions of food throughout the book will just add to the fun! Enjoy!

tgif inspiration ...

thursday inspiration ...

happy ...

your hump day inspiration

Enjoy the middle of your work week friends!

a day late ...

But never forgotten!

I still struggle with my thoughts and beliefs around September 11, 2001. If you have questions watch this. If nothing else - it will make you think.

happy monday inspiration ...

And a little Heart to start your week off right. Welcome back to school all you young ones :)

tgif inspiration ...

Some wonderful inspiration for your Friday. Have a happy weekend friends!