Widows Gone Wild get a facelift

Yep that's just what is happening to us.  Well not really us, although I wouldn't mind a little tuck around my eyes and those smile lines seem to be getting bigger all the time.  Anyway, watch over the next few days as our blog gets a new (wild?) look.

Have you ever used Restaraunt.com?

    Ft Collins was our destination and since we weren't going sightseeing we wanted a nice meal.  Checking out restaurants.com Armadillo's came up in Longmont.  Nice halfway point.  There are 6 of us and the coupon was for $25 of a meal of $35 or more. At $2 a piece and 6 of use I thought we could use three of them.  Always read the fine print.  Only one coupon per table per day.  Somehow I ended up with another $10 coupon.  Same thing.  So the delima of what to do with the extras. Save the coupons for another trip (which knowing me they would end up who knows where.  
    There was a nice you family  of four sitting next to us and the idea formed.  Share the blessing.  We found another family of four to give the next coupon to and a mother and daughter to use the $10 one.
     The food was delicious but we got mare enjoyment from sharing our coupons than we did the food.  I think we are all like that to an extent, we get more pleasure out of giving.

The Widows Get an Assignment.

    So coming up with a destination during winter months is always a challenge.  Driving in questionable weather with valuable cargo we carry (great-grandmas, great-great grandmas, grandmas, Mom's) we don't like to go far.  A call was made to each of the widows telling them they were in charge of our next destination.  If no one came up with one then we wouldn't go. Mymind could not come up with something to do.
  One week went by. No ideas.  The second week went by, still no ideas.  The third week I get a call from Widow #4. She couldn't think of any touristy place to go but wanted to know if would be OK to just maybe go see a movie, or just go to dinner and then go to a hotel.  She had a need to get away.  Sometimes we get so concerned about the destination we miss the journey.  We forget the purpose which is to spend time with each other. 
     Just like that we had a plan.  North we were headed but when?  Mary called to say she had a Friday free. Decision made. Trip planned.
    Now that was easy. Right?

Lunch at the Broadmor

     Our time was spent discussing the merits of Google available at our fingertips. Any question the widows had, good old Google had the answer.  How in the world did we ever get by without it?

    It always amazes me that no matter how many times we get together we never seem to run out of things to talk about. It's that special bond we share.   



Lunch at the Broadmor was elegant and delicious.  They just have a way of making you feel special.

Happy Wild Widows plus one.

(Mary's Granddaughter got to go on a vacation (her words) with us.) 

Avalon Healing Hearts Bed & Breakfast

     It's official. We have obtained non-profit status.  And it is not something they give out freely.  It took 7 months but we got it.  The journey began in July 2007 we registered Avalon Healing Hearts Bed and Breakfast. Applying for non-profit status was all we had left.  Life changed and my dream dimmed.  Moving in with my Mom became my priority and Avalon was put on a back burner.  In January my daughter Jamie decided to renew the dream.  Sending letters out to friends and family asking for help in raising the funds for the application.  It was to be a surprise birthday present.  It's amazing how GOD works for his glory. Within 2 weeks more than enough was donated and the application process began. 
     Avalon is a dream we have had for a few years.  A place for those who are grieving a loss of something  or someone.   I can see it and feel it.   My widows learning to live again has been such a blessing and eye opener.  There are so many people who don't know how to make a bridge over grief & sorrow to take them to living.  It's OK to enjoy life. As we watch our dream evolve it becomes so exciting.  Jamie works at Namestae Hospice.  While discussing Avalon with her director, he told her there is such a need for caregiver respite.  He liked the idea of Avalon being available to caregivers. Anticipatory grief they called it. 
We can see it.  Can feel the love.  The peace.  We no longer limit the grace and blessings our Lord has in store for us.  Join us in our journey.  My Widows were the first part of the dream.  Seeing them all come to life even in the midst of sorrow.