Linda with a Smile

	May 30th, 2009

"What an odd thing that strangers have a vote on a person's private decision to marry." — David Hyde Pierce on the California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8 banning gay marriage

Hello everybody,

     I'm sitting here really not knowing how to start... not knowing what to say on my Home Page because I'm normally a really happy upbeat person and I always want my website to reflect that. But my sweet little cockapoo, Bailey, my sweet little guy who was almost 17 years old, died in my husband's arms on April 20th and I can hardly think about him or say his name without crying. He owned my heart and soul from the first day that I had him and he will remain in my heart for the rest of my life. However, I have a new little cockapoo puppy, Andi, who is now always at my side and she's helping me as I move on. (Click on Photos and then on Andi's page to see her as she grows up.)
     I've learned so much about myself in the last few weeks and I've kept a journal so I will always remember my deepest thoughts when time would normally smooth the edges of my memory. At some point I'll put my thoughts on Bailey's page. For now, I'm just trying to appreciative the little things that are so special to me as I go forward.
     As always and more than ever now, I love the quiet moments when I get to sit down and do nothing more than just breathe. I've so loved having myhusband Bill home for almost six whole weeks inbetween his long trips to Asia where he's worked for these past four years. I'm more thankful than ever for my family and friends, so many of them, who knew Bailey so well and held me and cried with me and helped me through each day. I could not begin my day without my first cup of coffee in bed in the morning without my Augie kitty who nestles on my lap every morning and reminds me how much I am loved. And now I treasure morning kisses from my little Andi who wakes up so carefree and happy to be alive and reminds me that every new day is a gift because you don't always have tomorrow.
     Look around my website and you'll see my slightly wacky sense of humor (my husband's always saying, "LINDA!"). If you haven't been here before, take a minute and read About Me and you'll see why my website is called lindawithasmile. And if you've got another minute or two, click on Good Laughs for some hilarious jokes and video clips and funny photos. And if you like to cook and bake, don't leave without checking out my Recipes. I'm known for being a pretty good cook and these recipes, both my own concoctions and recipes from family and friends, are my very favorites.
     To all of my family and friends who are vacationing in southern California, please come and visit. Our door is always open and coffee's always brewing and we'd love to see you. There's lots to do and southern California is truly paradise because the sky is always blue and the sun is always shining, and we don't have any bugs or humidity in the summer, or snow or sleet in the winter. So give us a holler and we'll meet for dinner, or better yet, come over and barbeque with us and we'll top off the night with a dip in the spa and a glass or two of wine. It doesn't get better than this!

    Please keep our soldiers in your hearts, stay healthy and safe, and as always, I hope you find something here that makes you smile.

. . . .

May you wake up with a smile and fall asleep content!

And remember . . . life is not a journey to the grave with
the intention of arriving safely in a beautiful well-preserved body,
but rather an adventure in which you skid in broadside,
totally exhausted and thoroughly used up, loudly proclaiming,
"Wow! What a ride!"

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