I heard a story recently, of a woman who hadn’t had much luck with finding a man.

Even though she had been successful in her career, she felt there was an empty space without someone to share her life with.

She reached her late 40s and had virtually given up hope.

And then she met him. Her love. Her life. And he loved her, too.

Life was perfect.

And then he was diagnosed with cancer. The type that was inoperable and left him with only a few months to live.

Life was falling apart. Her life that was perfect for a few, short months.

They decided to get married before the cancer advanced too much further. An intimate ceremony with only immediate family, followed by dinner at the restaurant where they had their first date, just months before. He needed an oxygen mask to help him breathe.

But they were in love, and they both described it as the happiest day of their life.

After the marriage, his health seemed to improve. Everyone was hoping that the worst was behind them and maybe things were looking up.

But then he got pneumonia.

His doctors and specialists told them the worst: that there wasn’t much time left for him. But he was allowed to stay at home, away from the sterility of the hospital and the hospice. A nurse visited twice a day to assist.

And the family came together. To say their goodbyes to him. To laugh and reminice about the old days. Everyone who played a key role in his life were there.

And she sat on their bed, next to him.

And then he was gone. One month to the day since they got married.

She managed to arrange the funeral and the wake. She received flowers, fruit baskets and sympathetic arms and ears.

She’s still grieving the loss of her love, but I’m told she keeps reminding everyone how lucky she was to find him just in time.

This story still breaks my heart – and how, even with all the turmoil she’s gone through, she’s talking about how lucky she was. It’s definitely given me some perspective on what’s happening in my life at the moment.

The clouds in these are just amazing.

Another Cloud Reel… from Delrious on Vimeo.

via Laughing Squid

Check out this arrogant little kid:

If he was mine, I’d be giving him a good clip around the ears. The attitude!

I hate the cold. I’m a spring/winter kinda gal.

Although, my birthday is on the first official day of winter, so I should cut winter some slack. Our house is always freezing cold in winter, though. So there.

My all-time favourite winter was last Christmas when I was in the UK with My Girls.

A place that’s prepared for winter. Except if it snows and the whole of England comes to a standstill.  I still remember driving into London with Genna’s mum and she spent the entire trip explaining how NOTHING works when it snows in England.

Since that photo was taken, I’ve had to throw that big coat out because Bear peed on it. I’ve also had to throw that bag out (which was a gift) because Bear peed on it. I think I borrowed those teal-coloured gloves from Genna. The jeans were from Target and were dead before I made it home. I still have the walking shoes I bought especially for the trip (not pictured). The woollen gillette you can see up around my neck is still hands-down my favouritest winter item in my wardrobe. It’s warm and snuggly and has pockets to keep my poor hands warm.

Winter doesn’t seem quite so bad when I’m wearing my gillette.

Written as part of the winter theme for the weekly topic over at the Blog Chicks forum – why don’t you join us? Unless you’re a boy, of course ;o)

I bought my first PC in 1998. A Gateway.

The PC died years ago but I kept the speakers. Boston Acoustics.

The speakers started dying a slow death recently, so I bought some new ones.

Kinda weird to have to unplug the old ones

Yes, I’m one of those people who labels power cables so I know what I’m unplugging from the powerboard.