The Passing of a Special Friend

Debbie Gustafson Ludwig My special friend for over 20 years has passed away. December 29th 2009 Debbie's life may have ended on this earth but my memory of her will go on.

Debbie suffered with the disease Lupus (SLE) Systemic lupus erythematosus, it is one of the many disorders of the immune system known as autoimmune diseases. The immune system turns against parts of the body it is designed to protect. In persons with SLE, the immune system produces antibodies against healthy cells and tissues. these antibodies, called autoantibodies, contribute to the inflammation of various parts of the body. The most common type of autoantibody that develops in persons with SLE is called antinuclear antibody, because it reacts with parts of a cell's nucleus. this leads to inflammation and damage to various body tissues. SLE can affect many parts of the body including the brain, heart, joints, kidneys, lungs, skin, and blood vessels. The course of SLE is characterized by periods of illness, or flares, and periods of wellness, or remission.

Debbie over the last 20+ years had this disease, but in spite of it early on we enjoyed many vacations and wonderful times together as families or just the two of us doing what girls do. I met Deb in a women's bible study through First Baptist Church of Lakewood, where our children went to school. We hit it off immediately and became really good friends, our kids all five of them were like siblings, her with her girls, Ingrid & Bridget and me with my boys, we were inseparable for several years, but as the kids got older the boys got involved in sports and our lives started taking different paths.

I will always hold a very special spot in my heart for her and her family. She is survived by Ed her husband, daughters Ingrid & Natalie Deb's granddaughter who just turned 3, Bridget (who found out on New Years day she is pregnant with their 1st baby)

It's funny how God works, the circle of life as we know it, taking one and giving another. My heart hurts now but I know Deb is in a great place "Heaven" (probably telling the Lord what to do) she was a wonderful friend, mother & wife. I will miss her and think of her often.

Debbie's Memorial service is Thursday Jan. 7, 2010 2:30 @ First Baptist Church of Lakewood.

A Picture with "Pooh"

Sarah and I took the girls to Disneyland on Tuesday the 1st of December. We have annual passes which makes it really nice to just spend a couple of hours at the "Happiest place on earth". Sarah packed the girls a lunch and off we went. It was a gorgeous warm sunny California day. The park was all decorated for Christmas. It wasn't a very crowded day either, we didn't have to wait very long to get on any ride. The girls had a blast. Paige wasn't to eager to have her picture taken with Pooh so we all jumped in to shoot this wonderful memory. Reagan even gave Pooh a hug.

Too cute!!!

A Day at the Park

Last weekend Steve and I had the girls Friday to Sunday .... Aaron took Sarah up to San Francisco for some fun get-away time.

I took the girls to the park on Friday and Saturday, we played for a good 2 hours....they had soooo much fun! and so did I, they were great all weekend. Grandpa and I totally enjoy our little girls.

A Visit From a Friend...Robbie Perry Eubanks

Now here's a "Blast from my Past" I believe the year was 1997, Aaron was a Senior in high school. I was in an organization called "Rick Rackers", its a women's philantrophic organization I was involved in for about 5 years. One of my favorite events was "The Winter Wonderland Ball" I would always invite my closest friends we would get all dressed up and spend the evening dancing, drinking and just being the playful girls we were..

Only 12+ years between these pictures. Kim and I met Robbie when our sons' played Ice Hockey together. In those days Ice hockey games involved a lot of traveling, rinks were not close together, so the three of us spent a lot of time together.

Here we are*** Kim Hertzog***Me***Robbie Perry Eubanks1997Me, Robbie & Kimmy 2009

Steve stopped by the "Coffee Bean" to say hello to two of his favorite ladies...
Back in the day... Steve and Robbie were told they looked like brother and sister
(but that was before "grey hair")

Georgie & her pooch Harvey walked over to say Hi!!

Just doin the "Mess around"

Robbie and Harvey the Labrador

Holloween 2009

We spent the afternoon at Aaron & Sarah's for a fun filled gathering...The kids had games of "pumpkin bowling" and "ball tossing" for goldfish, while the adults feasted on Aaron's "Gold Medal" Chili and cornbread. Later that evening we grabbed our wine and walked the streets with the little trick-or-treaters... What a great day!!

Thanks for Hosting Aaron & Sarah... Everyone had a blast!!Family Picture (missing Marcus)

Sean, Molly & Tallulah, Steve & Vonda, Aaron, Sarah, Paige, Me and Reagan

A very Beautiful "Belle" Reagan with her very "Handsome Grandpa" Steve

All the Princess's were in attendance!!

Reagan "Belle" and Bailey "Pocahontas"

Raif Durnin picking out his juice box

Watch out Paige, Lulu and Mady are ready to pounce on that delicious Corn-bread muffin

Bailey taking Reag's and Maise for a ride in the wagon

Aaron, Reagan, Sarah & Paige

Art, Andrea, Taylor and Sydney

aka: Woody, Queen of Hearts, Alice in Wonderland and Buz

Tallulah always on the run!!

Time for Talllah's wagon ride

Weeeeeeeeee more fun buggy rides with Nani

Sean, Molly & Tallulah Bee

Aaron & Art

Reagan & Couca getting a ride to the next house...

trick or treating can be very trying!!

"Nemo" Paige has a very sticky face!!

This little "Fish out of water" was fast!! she got the hang of this "trick-or-treat" thing after the 1st house, then there was no slowing her down!!

Uncle Marcus with Reagan & Paige

"Let's go Everybody"

This Way!!

"Trick or Treat"

Someone's getting tired!

"The End"

Birthday Celebration for Raif Durnin

Brenda & Colby Durnin had a Birthday celebration with a twist..... it was a dress-up costume/1st birthday party for their little boy Raif. What a fun night. Steve was cousin Eddie from my favorite holiday movie "Christmas Vacation" and I was....? you guessed it a Witch. Everyone had outstanding costumes, really put some thought into it. I didn't get pictures of everyone at the party, but you can see it was a really fun night.

Thanks Brenda and Colby for Hosting!!
Sarah with Paige, Me with Tallulah
Molly, Carmen and Brenda

Kate & Reagan

Kate Riley Jacobs

Daddy Sean & Little T-bee

Me here with my "Mentor Pat Witt"

I told her she should be in the "energizer bunny" costume!

Happy Birthday Pat!!!

94 Years Young!

Sean, Tallulah & Molly

Harold & Karen Witt

Steve..aka cousin Eddie

Colby, Birthday Boy Raif & mommy Brenda

Daddy Keith with Lucas (cutiest little pup)

Daddy Sean with (sweetest bee-T)

Look at all the cousins....

Keith & Sean with their babies Lucas & Tallulah

My daughter-in-laws and my grandaughters

Sarah with Paige and Molly with Tallulah

Reagan was off playing somewhere

Just adding a Witch to the mix

Harold Witt (Gangsta) & Steve (cousin Eddie)