I left Bald Head Island yesterday to take Rebecca (my middle daughter) to the airport so that she could fly back home to Boston.  We had such a nice lunch with Lauren and Hudson and then hopped on the ferry to leave the island.  I got a call as we were getting filling the car up with gas, that my father was not doing well.  He has been declining for some time now and I’ve know the call would come at some point.  I took Rebecca to the airport and immediately went to see my dad.  My sister and her family were there as well as my husband.  I stayed last night with he and my mom until around 11 pm and then came home to get some sleep. 

I don’t know what this week will bring.  My plan was to drive back to Bald Head today to be with Lauren and Hudson and to spend the next few weeks there relaxing and blogging.  I had even planned to take a few canvases back to paint a little.  At this point, I don’t know what will happen with my father, but I know that the end of his life is coming soon.  As much as death is a part of life, it is never an easy thing to accept.  I feel a tremendous sadness and my heart is heavy.

I hope that you will all bear with me here on Crazy Blonde Life as I go through this difficult time in my life.  This has been a definite year of change for me.  I’ll be blogging as often as possible, but obviously, other things will be important to take care of right now.

I fully realize that this post is a little all over the place, but it’s kind of a reflection of my state of mind.  I’ve been thinking about how we all let people and circumstances in our lives break us down at times.  I’m trying to stay focused on what is positive and take things one day at time and know that I’m being guided.  When this is all over, I know I will be stronger for having been through it.

Even though it seems as if everything in my life is changing, I know it’s temporary and things will get better.  The darkness will lift and the sun will come out again.  I realize how very blessed I am in spite of some difficult circumstances.  We all go through times of struggle and I am clinging to the promise of sunny days ahead.  I don’t know what will come, but life is good when we let go of trying to control everyone and everything around us and just accept the moment for what it is!  That is true freedom.

“I am attracting everything that is for my highest good, new opportunities, new energy, new mindset, new connections.”

I started this post yesterday morning before I knew what the day would bring…I know it’s an odd combination of thoughts and reflections and hopes and desires, but that’s life right!?  It’s crazy how life changes from day to day, so I hope you enjoy!

I’ve had some serious wanderlust lately, mainly because I finished a wonderful book called Waking up in Paris by Sonia Choquette, while sitting on the beach.  When I finally get there (which I hope is very soon), I think this great article from The Hip Paris Blog about getting Paris right will be so helpful.  If you’re planning your first trip, this article is for you!.  

As you probably know, I absolutely love the photography of Carla Coulson.  Check out Carla’s blog to see her amazing photography as well as her Ultimate Guide to Paris!

Mamma Mia 2 comes out on July 20 and I am beyond excited to see it! 

My mouth is watering for all the summer flavors in this Melon Caprese Salad from Half Baked Harvest.

I love a good podcast and am always on the lookout for a new one!  Courage and Clarity is a podcast for entrepreneurial, creative women by Steph Crowder.  Listen to this podcast if you’ve ever thought about starting a business and making money doing what you love.

I just had to include this picture of my sweet grandson, Hudson, in the ocean last week at Bald Head Island.

That’s all for now.  I don’t know what this day will hold, but I know I’ll get through it.  Thanks so much for reading.