Changing the name of this posting

Greetings to my newest readers! I am absolutely delighted to have you stopping by to spend A "Day" in the life...........of Kim! By reading through the listings of where readers are from, I have noticed some visitors from as far away as China and I cannot even begin to imagine what they must think of me!?!? Such drivel she writes about (oh, that came out kind of Wisconsin-ish, did it not?)

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So, for the sake of new readers and for those who came in after the curtain went up on this show, I will reprint my first postings, from January, 2008. Please note that after many of the postings from this one forward, there are sometimes "Comments" left by readers. Please click to read the comments and feel free to add your own as you see fit. On the left side of this page you will find a place to click for archives which will also allow you to go all the way back to earliest postings, right around the anniversary time of Timmy's death. Thanks for reading and come back again and again and again!

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Welcome to my first blog! Thanks to Justin, who helped me find a template, I can write to many people at one time and perhaps avoid repeating myself or missing someone with news or information! Also, I love a captive audience!
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This photo of me was taken while standing on the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, when Justin and I visited there in 2006. The garish jewelry was made for me by Lisa, my niece. It's a pleasure to wear the jewelry made by my family and friends. Today I am wearing the necklace and earrings made by Lori, my sister---red with gold and black swirls, sort of blown-glass looking. Looks wonderful with the lovely ruby red blouse which Mom gave me for CHRISTmas.
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I'm still wearing my church clothes as this evening Justin and I are joining the Hilchey family for dinner at The Capital Grille at the Town Center Mall. We managed to get the first available opening they had for today.
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This is going to be funky week for me (and perhaps my readers as well) as tomorrow marks the 7th anniversary of Timmy's death. I could call it something else but choose to refer to it exactly what it is--death. He left earth, having completed his life's work in the Lord, and now circles the Throne of the Most High singing "Holy, holy, holy" with the saints and angels. Hard to get upset about that, isn't it? What glory he now experiences, while we are left here to carry on the work, to help extend the Kingdom, sharing the Good News of salvation with those who haven't heard yet!
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Timmy's story has a happy ending, and I pray that everyone that reads my blog will have that same happy ending on their last day! Later!

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Monday, January 14, 2008

So far, so good today

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Well, the big day is here---Timmy's anniversary. I've received several cards, e-cards, phone calls plus personal greetings so far today and enjoyed a lovely lunch with the Monday Bible study group. In the arms of my church family, a great place to be today and always!

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I had a nice, long chat with Linda last night which was good for my soul, she is so good for my soul and my heart! We can laugh about the dumbest things. She has plans to go on a cruise in late March but that won't work with my trip to MN at the begining of April. Everything has to happen at once sometimes. I'll try to get some time later in the month to do some scrapbooking with her when I'm in Manty.

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When I stopped by the cemetery today after lunch, I saw the guys closing up a grave over in the "babyland" section, which always saddens me, but moreso today. Someone else is going to feel sorrow like mine for the rest of their lives, but the good news is that the sorrow softens a bit as time goes on. We got told that often early on when Timmy died and I personally have found that to be true. What is also true is that memories fade a bit, something which no one could have ever convinced me would happen.

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What a learning and growing experience this has all been, going to the School of Hard Knocks, sort of. Okay, then, does that mean I've graduated or is there more "homework" required before I can be considered "honed by the fire"? Wait, wait, wait, don't answer that! I learned a valuable lesson back in 2003---don't ask questions you don't want the answer to!!!!

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I am also getting quite excited about the pending visit from the Prange family, coming into town next week. As Timmy would say, "I so 'cited!" Their schedule is already packed but they've invited me to share in much of it with them. Maybe I can work ahead on the newsletter and such but can't do much about the meetings and other committments that happen in the evenings. It will be cool to see what a little man Lucas has become and meet Grace for the first time. Last year she was still in utero for Brent's wedding and we didn't go up north for CHRISTmas this year, so missed meeting Baby Grace in person. I have a new nephew born last fall that I haven't met in person yet, either. I'd better get on the ball!

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That Joanne! She is tooo much! She just called me from Jax Beach to tell me about this fantastic store that screamed "Kim Lahaie Day!!!" when she walked into it. She saw the most lovely dishware, some which looked like the Amalfi Coast or Greek Islands that would be perfect for me. Oh, she was so excited about her find! Jo picked up a stack of brochures to bring back for me but I'll have to wait to get them, as she's heading to Orlando for a Buffini meeting for a couple days...nuts! Nothing to stop me from taking a ride to Jax Beach myself for a first-hand look, right? Don't answer that, and besides, I am off of dish restriction for two years already. Maybe Justin would like to go with me, or would he get me into even more trouble??!!??

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The sky is a lovely blue today, not so overcast as it was yesterday. We got buckets of rain during Bible study but it had cleared up by the time church got out. My car needed a washing anyway! Owen has offered to wash my car and put a nice finish coat on it for me. What a sweetheart he is.....and I knew that before he offered to wash my car! Olivia drives my big red car now and I love being able to get a ride in it every so often.

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Anyway, there is a white bird bobbing about on the river, certainly Joanne knows its name but I just recognize it as a white floating bird. I wonder if water fowl ever get sea sickness.........Later today I might be going to the movies to see The Bucket List with some church ladies and perhaps my heart, Martie. We have to see how she feels after her art class gets out. On Wednesday, the 30th, I am going to the opera, Tosca, but no one else from church wants to go. I've approached Christine to see if she'd like to go, I don't spend nearly enough time with her, since she works not far from her home, not venturing into Jacksonville as much as she used to. She really needs to get out more!!!!!

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This Thursday I am having lunch with Janet and her MI friend, Karen, at The Club and then coming over here to enjoy the view and spend some time together. They are going to help keep me busy so that I don't "dwell" too much, and there is no one like Janet who can keep me busy! She is a such a joy, a treasure in my life!

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You have all probably gotten the e-mail which circulates every so often about how people come into our lives for a Reason, A Season, or A Lifetime. I never want to let go of people, which sometimes adds to my heartache because I CAN'T or WON'T let go, but simply have to believe that people come into my life, personally, at exactly the right time, either for me, or for them! I love the power of the Lord, His mighty, guiding hands!

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Speaking of hands, mine are getting cold, so will close this chapter for now. I don't know what to tell you about the "comments" problem, not sure just what has to be done to leave a comment. Linda's came through just fine last night. I'll have to ask her to walk me through it so those of you who have tried can give it a shot. Thanks for trying, though!

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...serve the Lord with gladness!

What an awesome day it turned out to be!

On the way to choir rehearsal I gave my mom a call to let her know that the "other" Hahm's were moving to Milwaukee, as James accepted his Call to Wisconsin Lutheran High School. This information came through facebook, which I attempted to explain to Mom. Since it was too complicated for over the phone, she is going to ask Alayna to show her on the weekend. I also told Mom about the schoolmates who have reached out to me through facebook already and about Jami going to Las Vegas to reconnect with her classmates for their 40th birthdays. Cool!

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She asked me how my neck, shoulder, and other aches were after the massage and I told her I felt better because Carol said such nice things to me. Mom said she would say nice things to me too so I would feel better, and proceeded to tell me how sweet I am and that she loved me.....I love you, too, Mom!

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Last night at Bible study Leanne was telling me about recently looking through a book of velum quotes that Caroline had in her scrapbook supplies and found one that made her think of me. That is sweet enough, but then she told me what it said: "You make God smile". Wow! Those are mighty big shoes to fill. Today, during my massage treatment, Carol again brought up how much she admires me and my friendships with people. The woman at the registration desk thanked me for referring 10 people to Carol since October of 2007, either my friends or my family, technically they fall into both categories! You are welcome! Carol described me as being the kind of person who, like a boat with a motor, propels through the water, leaving a wake. I have no idea, according to Carol, how my "wake" affects or rubs off on other people. I got quite choked up when she said that because this is not the first time she has offered me such high praise.

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I just LOVE it that the Lord has seen fit to incorporate such wonderful people into my life, now more than ever, and that my friends are able to get to know each other and interact, like Kathy B. and Dee did this past weekend. Dee, Julia, and I spent about an hour this afternoon looking up passages both in the Bible and using the on-line reference I introduced them to, biblegateway.com. This past week I had a great gathering of friends around my table to enjoy comfort foods and company with Linda. All those attending gave rave reviews and are looking forward to the next time. "'Til we meet again...."

Back already!

Jen picked me up at about 7:30 and off we went downtown to Baptist Heart Center. We allowed extra time for the normally heavier traffic but until we got to I-10, it was smooth sailing. Where I-10 merges with I-95 there was a bottleneck but we could remain calm as we had nearly a half hour before her appointment. More like 45 minutes which allowed for the missing of our turn and doing a go-around to get into the parking garage, etc. Once we found the registration desk and got all the info put into the computer, we sat for only a few moments before being called in----20 minutes early!!! We were prepared to sit there and wait our turn since we arrived so far ahead but in we went!

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The test went well and quickly, with the staff being most kind and gracious. I did help Jen get her shirt and bra off and the gown on, and then reversed the process afterward. It was helpful for me to be there with Jen because it was a complicated task with her limited arm movement, it was better to have extra hands. They said the results might be available already today so now we simply wait to hear what the cardiologist has to say. The techs don't say anything about what they see, liability issues and all that stuff.

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Coming back was a breeze and we arrived at Grumpy's in no time at all. Rather than having breakfast, I ordered the meat loaf from the special menu and was sorely disappointed! It was not nearly as good as the meatloaf Sandy made for our comfort foods dinner last week. Might even have been a frozen or pre-packaged entree, but the potatoes and green beans were yummy. And the dinner roll----oh, my goodness! I made arrangements to pick up a half dozen homemade dinner rolls tomorrow morning before I head to Victory for Bible study. Cannot wait!

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So, now I am just waiting until it is time for my massage appointment and the rest of the day is mine to "marinate", what Carol, the massage therapist, says to do after her treatment. I can do that easily and eagerly!

Okay, I'm back!

Sorry for missing a day of posting on Tuesday! I have no good excuse other than getting caught up on my desk stuff, writing e-mails and tarrying on Facebook instead. I read Lisa's blog, Suzanne's blog, Jami's blog, and lovely e-mail from Judy R. who is back from Mexico. E-mails were flying forth and back regarding our upcoming event at church when the LES Team from Synod is coming to give us their informed opinion as to whether or not we should consider adding grades to our preschool. This has been a labor-intensive project and now the final "intensive" item on the agenda is whether we have a pot luck or a cooked on-site meal on Sunday!!! No detail is too insignificant to be addressed by Janet and me! We are without a Fellowship Elder at church due to a shortage of men willing to serve so things have to be taken on by individuals or teams to have them happen. No matter what, we will have lunch one way or another that Sunday, even if we have to order pizzas!

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I am going to ride along with my friend, Jennifer, to a medical appointment downtown this morning. She is concerned about getting the gown on and off, and might need my assistance with that, plus offer moral support. I can do that. She already declared that at some point she is going to need breakfast or lunch so I am prepared for that as well. This afternoon I am going to see my dear friend, Carol, for a therapeutic massage. My neck, shoulders, upper arms, and lower back are just giving me a fit (can she fix fits???) so I made the decision to go have a treatment. Some of my church friends were talking about the chiropractor Monday, simply swearing by the benefits of that, and even Carol goes for an adjustment touch-up periodically. I am concerned it is a racket but if these ladies have benefited from their visits with the chiro, it may be the next step for me, too.

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Saturday's brunch was wildly successful in many ways, including the goal of getting new, fresh faces and names on board to Chair various projects the Ladies' Group has lined up for the year. The five or six of us who actually show up for the meetings can hardly be expected to do all these service projects and we wanted to throw in some more things not necessarily service oriented, such as a Women's Health Fair. Believe it if you will, I had originally signed-up for the Health Fair (now stop laughing! Stop it!!) but as I told the assembled group Saturday, I would be glad to surrender Chairing that event if someone else wanted it! Sure enough, that afternoon, a young mom from the congregation who is in a nursing program offered to tackle this project and relieved me of duty! Now it might be taken seriously! Others have signed on to Chair or simply participate which is exactly what we were hoping for. My one friend she would head up a program to gather product coupons which can be sent to the servicemen, for use in their commissaries. No attention is paid to expiration dates which makes this a wonderful help to those trying to support their families on soldier's pay. But, this lady made it clear, "I am NOT joining the Ladies' Group!" Alright then....

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It is nearly time for my ride to arrive and I can hear sirens blaring from the streets.....yep, let's hit the road, sister!

A tragic loss of life

If you recall, I wrote the other night about my nephew, Tommy, taking his own life in late January. He just turned 34 at the end of October, much too young to die. His mom died of cancer on CHRISTmas Eve 2002 and he pretty much lost touch with his family since then. I had his e-mail address and would write every now and again just to check in. When his grandma died in August of 2007 he had not checked his e-mail for a while and totally missed getting the message. From that time on he gave me his cell phone number and he already had mine, so we could keep in touch.

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He did that during the summer when he called me to get a recipe. Yes, you read that correctly---he wanted a recipe from me!!!! He was hungry for a family favorite called "Hamburger Corn Pone Pie" and amazingly so, I laid my hands on it immediately for him. He filled me in, joyously, on the new lady in his life and her children. Tommy had big plans for putting in landscaping around their shared home, and I was looking up the plants he was talking about as we spoke, so I did not sound toooooo uniformed. He was just like his mother, talking endlessly about little of substance for over an hour. I did manage to throw a caution about jumping into anything, etc. with his "fiance" but did encourage him as far as settling down and such. He seemed to be on top of the world, at that time.

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On CHRISTmas Day he sent me a late night text message wishing me a Merry CHRISTmas and told me how much he liked the new bench grinder his fiance, Jeanna, had given him. Around ThanksLiving or so, Tommy asked me to text him my mailing address so he could send a CHRISTmas card so I got his address too, while I was at it. I shared it with Mona in case Arno wished to send a card for CHRISTmas, but I don't know if that happened or not.

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Judy and Tommy Connors from many years ago..........

Justin got the mailing address for Tommy's father who lives in the Detroit area so I can mail him a card. But, what do I say in it?? I can offer sympathy to EJ but he barely knew his son anymore. When last I spoke with EJ, he did not offer any acknowledgement that he was a believer in His Savior, and in fact, had objected to Judy attending worship when they were still married. Judy and EJ were divorced awhile before Judy got sick. What a mess!

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Family has been good about keeping me up to speed on the funeral arrangements and such, plus Justin has an "inside line" to what is going on. Justin indicated that Judy's ashes are going to be buried with Tommy's, which is appropriate. He had kept her ashes with him and had told me he was coming to see me, to spread his mom's ashes in the ocean, which is what she wanted done with them. Tommy never came.

Oh, I am so sad!

Well, I came home to an empty house. At least it is empty for a while. Joanne said she is going to call it a short day and try to get her bedroom straightened away as her daughter, Heather, arrives tomorrow. Another guest to stay at Day's Inn!!! I already washed and dried the sheets after Linda used them and will redress the bed before Heather gets here. This will be the first of Joanne's children that I am meeting and so will be on my best behavior, of course!

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As far as I know, Linda is in the air somewhere over GA about now, heading for Minneapolis. She changes planes there and then flies to MKE to meet Tommy, who is coming on a direct flight from Las Vegas. She arrives about 30 minutes before Tommy does and then they drive home to Manitowoc together, getting home before midnight. Perfect if no one has a flat tire or a storm interferes with either flight. Boy, I miss her already!

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We had such a great morning at Bible study and then lunch with some of the ladies. There was much laughter taking place, to the point where Gretchen made the comment that we were going to make her wet her pants---Linda piped up, "That's why we sit on towels!" which made all of them laugh even more. This was while we were still at church so I encouraged them to go in and use the bathroom before we got to the restaurant. We were discussing our fishing trip and Ethel was telling about Linda and how sick and miserable she was. Tommy had the best time of any of those fishing but the three of us (Justin, Linda, and me) were so ready to go back home! Gives us lots to laugh about now, though.

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Before going in to Bible study, I heard Gretchen calling to me from the parking lot. I parked on the black top and she was on the grass, something she never does. Gretchen had a pink gift bag in her hand which she gave to me! Aw, so sweet.....Inside was a glass heart, flat, with a ribbon through the top for hanging purposes. On the face of the heart were the words: Be still, and know that I am God. I grabbed her around the neck and hugged the stuffings out of her! She knows how "valuable" that particular passage is to me, and so does Linda now after watching the funeral service video yesterday. Wow, can anyone have such great, thoughtful friends as do I????

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Gretchen told me that maybe, just maybe, she would have to think about it, she might watch the funeral service with me. Linda said it was okay, it took her this long to get the courage up to watch it, and is so glad she did. We looked like heck afterward but still..........it always does my heart good to watch the service and hear that amazing message. And it is all I can do to refrain from calling Pete and thanking him for what he did, for us and for the congregation and for the community. Thanks belong to God who gave him the strength and the gift to do so.

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I miss Linda already!

"It's the wood that makes it good..."

Linda and I are sitting once again in front of the TV watching episode upon episode of, yes, "Seinfeld". We just wanted to see a few more chuckles and guffaws before she leaves late this afternoon. Her bags are all packed and ready to go, the sheets are in the washer, and our feet are up. Linda has a lot of leg swelling so whenever we are at home, she keeps her legs up. Funny, but it often seems when the legs go up, her eyes go shut! A couple times now I've awakened her with my outbursts of laughter. She is awake now because "The Roaster" is on which really tickles my funny bone. Jerry ends up in Kramer's apartment because the red light from the rooster on the chicken restaurant was causing Kramer to have problems with his "rods and cones"!!!! That kills me every time!

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Orbitz just called and informed Linda that her flight is on time, and I didn't even see the ring circling her head like on the commercial on TV shows. Now, it is a wonderful service they offer but I would think it would be more helpful to let her know if it is NOT on time. Anyway, time to go to the airport! More later!!!