Already a year...

I never thought 2, 5, 14, or even 28 years ago I would sit here in my leather chair writing this.  Has mom really been gone a full year?  She has missed out on so much - it's nuts how much goes on in 365 days.

This morning Ben took Allie and I to breakfast (probably to make sure I ate!) to get my mind off her being gone then I did what I thought was fitting for the one-year anniversary of her death - I bought some plants during lunch and potted them in the backyard. 

I ran to Lowe's and of course, the first plant I ran into was a hydrangea.  I blogged almost a year ago about the first plant delivered to the house after mom died - a hydrangea from my high school friend, Jamie.  Mom always picked a seasonal flower of choice and last year it was the hydrangea.  I thought it was fitting to buy one today for mom. 

This time last year, Ben and I were on our drive to Marshall, in complete disbelief.  I will never forget getting ready for my, what I thought was, 36-week doctor's appointment, then Ben walking through the back door sobbing, unable to speak, and the words "it's your mom, Carmen - she died" coming out of his mouth.  Poor guy, what an awful message to have to deliver to your wife.  I remember laying on my back on the rug in the living room , speechless...I didn't know what to ask.  I didn't know who to call.  I didn't know how to act.  It's amazing how a situation can literally knock you on your ass.  I come across as such a tough person and hearing those words come out of Ben's mouth knocked.me.down.

Anyway, so to get back to my shenanigans today.  Mom loved bromelaids so I bought one for our kitchen island.  What a better way for Allie to eat her breakfast each morning than being able to look at one of her Grandma Kim's favorite flowers? 

These plants were actually from mom's funeral so they've made it a year in this crazy Ross family!  Mom would have chastised me by now for not re-potting them so I bought new homes for them today.  The peace plant (in the middle) needs a little TLC but hey, she's still alive!  The ivy's look great and love the small amount of sun they get on the side porch.

This little guy also came from the funeral and enjoys the morning sun from the garage.  He got a new home today as well.

I am so excited about my new job with Forest Pharmaceuticals.  I met with one of my partners yesterday and she.is.AWESOME!  I cannot wait to get to know her better.  Things have worked out amazingly well for us the past month and I am ecstatic to start this new chapter in my life.  I have no doubt my mom pulled strings for me in heaven on this new job.  I am over the moon and can't wait to give it my all. 

Change is hard, and I am going to miss my friends at PTM.  One final thing I have to do now is sell my car so the "For Sale" sign went on the back today.  Kind of sad.  Growing up my parents never had the money to buy me a new car (even if they did I guarantee they wouldn't have because I would have torn it up!) so the Infiniti was my first one.  I have been so proud of this car and demand the person who buys it to take just as good care of it as I have.  Here are the stats:

- 2009 Infiniti G37

- $28,000

- less than 17,000 miles

- black leather interior
- XM paid for another 18-months
- sunroof, spoiler, chrome package
- literally "like new" - no dents or dings

When we bought it we purchased the "Dealers Choice" package (~$2,000) which included all maintenance.  I am trying to find out through Infiniti of BR if this is transferable to the new owner.  I should know something ASAP.