Good morning friends. My heart is heavy this Monday morning, between what is happening in Ukraine and the loss of a blogging friend, I am feeling down and this post is a mind dump of my sadness and frustration. It is hard to believe and to watch in real time, an invasion, an act of aggression, a war and people suffering and dying trying to defend their country. Whatever we are calling it, hundreds of thousands of women and children are fleeing their homes and saying goodbye to the men in their lives not knowing if they will ever see their loved ones or homeland again.
I’ve studied the history of Europe and WWII in and since college and watching the news feels as if I have been transported back in time and I have a front row seat to what they endured. Can you imagine handing your children to a stranger to take them over the boarder to safety(like the Kindertransport 1938-1940)? Or sitting in an air raid shelter or the metro at night while you hear the whistle of bombs overhead? Children being hustled from school rooms and set upon shelves in the basements of schools not knowing what is next?
Miles and miles of cars filled with people trying to flee the country, and whatever they can fit, sitting like ducks in a pond while Russian planes fly overhead? Train platforms, a sea of colorful winter coats, crammed with women and children, carrying not only their bags but also their cats, rabbits, dogs and other pets, hoping for a seat on a train heading anywhere out of the country. Once on the train there is no need for a ticket says the official, because “this is war.”
I am old enough to remember the Cold War and to have celebrated its “end”, as well as the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Soviet Union. I have a Masters in International Relations and studied chemical, biological and nuclear weapons, watching this invasion is like a nightmare. At the helm of this train wreck blip in history, is a man who has signed into law, constitutional amendments that would allow him to run for re-election twice more. Potentially Putin could be the president until 2036! Currently he is the second longest serving president in Europe, the first is his good friend Alexander Lukashenko from Belarus. Did I forget to mention that Russia has 6,000 warheads which makes it the country with the largest nuclear arsenal in the world?
Some say this is the start to WW III, others are not so sure. All I know is that hundred of thousands of people are running for their lives and have no idea if and when they will return home, if ever and are now refugees. I realize that these are tough times for many with Covid, inflation and so much more but if you can please consider helping the people of Ukraine and keep them in your prayers.
Here are a few place that you can donate:
International Rescue Committee

Image Virginia Sweet Pea, Paula and Sherman
On another sad note, I just wanted to mention the passing of a blog friend, Paula Skulina of Virginia Sweet Pea. Paula was an amazing lady, she was a teacher for 26 years following in the footsteps of her mom and her grandmother. She was a mother to her beloved dog Sherman and wife of 25 years. On January 13th of 2017 Paula was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer and over the last 5 years has fought with all her might to live a life filled with joy, love and experiences, all while battling cancer. I met Paula about a year and a half ago in a blogging group, sadly I never met her in person, I was hoping to do that this summer. Since then I have been blown away by her creativity, kindness, compassion and positive attitude while battling day to day not only to live but to live her best life. Paula was optimistic and open to every treatment including the most recent trial she was to start on March 3rd. Paula passed away this weekend surrounded by her family. I know that she is now sharing her creativity with the angels and will continue to watch over her husband, Sherman and her mom who is also battling cancer. Paula, you will be missed, rest in peace friend.
Friends, life is full of ups and downs, blogs the same. I know that many, myself included, read blogs to see beautiful interiors, scrumptious recipes, maybe some fashion finds or book recommendations and often skip the post that share things that are considered “downers.” I get it and I would like to thank you for letting me share my thoughts on Ukraine and Paula today.
I hope that you have a wonderful week and thank you for spending a little of your day with me, I greatly appreciate you. Take care.

God bless you in the loss of your friend and God bless her family.
Life is but a breath. Lean on Christ, He is our only answer.
We pray His protection over the Ukrainians.
Judy Truex Reed
Thank you Judy, you are so right.
Your knowledge and thoughts are spot on and appreciate them greatly. So sad to hear of Paula’s passing although I figured things were not going well as she hadn’t posted much lately.
It is a overwhelming time.
Sherri, Paula was an amazing lady. I had thought the same when she had not been to comment or had not posted too many things since Valentines day. She was a shining example of how to squeeze every second out of life. Thank you for your comments. Have a beautiful day!
Prayers for the loss of Paula
and the Peace in Ukraine.
Sadness
How the horror will change the World will reverberate for decades in the structure of Peace. I fear other innocent independent countries will be invaded, undermined, infiltrated.
May, I have the same fears as you. I worry for all of the small countries not only in Europe but in Asia as well, that powerful countries are just waiting to pounce on. These are precarious times for many. Take care May, have a wonderful week.
My prayer for peace and comfort for Paula’s family . I enjoyed her blog and her vision.
Thank you Joyce, Paula was a very special person and we are all so blessed to have known her.
I understand you heavy heart. Such sad news to hear about your friend Paula Skulina passing away. Paula had such a wonderful way of being the way you described her. I understand the heart break over Russia and Ukraine, it’s heart
wrenching and tragic to watch and observe.
I just found out yesterday a friend has cancer and now this morning another one. It makes my heart so sad.
Wrapping love around you when words fall short.
Katherine, I am sorry to read about your two friends, they will be in my prayers. I hope they are able to get the best treatment for their cancer. Thank you for your kind words about the post, they are appreciated. Have a beautiful day!
Thank you for sharing both of these topics.
Susan, thank you for reading. Have a wonderful day.
I’m so sad about Paula. She was so special to me. I began following her shortly after she was diagnosed, and began blogging the fall of that year. She talked to me several times….I enjoyed having someone to talk to about blogging. Her lake house is very near where my honeymoon rental house was, on the same lake. She just can’t be replaced.
Thank you for sharing about Paula, Elizabeth. We will all miss her so much. I will pass on this link to her husband to share with the family.
Julie, Paula was such a special person. I really cannot convey how she touched me over the last year and a half. Her tenacity and spirit and kindness to everyone was just so rare. Please let her family know how very sorry I am for their loss. She will be missed.
Such a sad story about Paula. I, too , am devastated about Ukraine.
I would like to correct you regarding something you wrote. It is a very common mistake. It is not “the Ukraine” but simply Ukraine. “The Ukraine” is like saying “the Italy” or “the America.” A friend from Ukraine corrected me years ago!
Hello Susan, thank you for the reminder. I am/was aware of the difference between The Ukraine and Ukraine, I tried to be very mindful of the difference while writing the post but apparently I missed a spot or two. Thanks for letting me know, I appreciate it.
I was also so sad to hear of Paula’s passing. She was an amazing woman and it never ceased to amaze me how she managed to do so much whilst being so unwell. Paula will be missed.
Carol, thank you for coming to leave a message about Paula. She was an amazing lady indeed.
I read about Paula, such a beautiful person and wonderful blogger, yesterday. Also Michelle of The Painted Hinge. They will both be missed. And what is happening (Russia) is horrendous. Why should we hide what goes on in the world? I’m glad that you don’t.
Brenda
Brenda, it is so very sad to loose to wonderful women in one weekend. Paula was a an amazing lady and she fought with everything she had to treat her cancer. I was inspired by her love of life, her drive and all of the things she did while fighting lung cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with her mom, husband and Sweet Sherman. As for Michelle, she was so lovely, I was very sad to heard of her passing. Thank you for always encouraging me Brenda, I appreciate you and your kind comments.
I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounded like a beautiful lady.
What is happening right now in Ukraine is terrifying because of the horrors currently happening and the ones that may yet to come. I’m praying for an end of this war and the return of peace for all.
Valerie, the events in Ukraine are horrific. I cannot watch the news and yet I want to know what is happening. It is a nightmare. Thank you for your kind words about Paula, she was a lovely lady.
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your blogging friend, Paula. You describe her as such a wonderful woman. May she be at peace after the long battle she fought.
Mary, thank you. Paula was a wonderful lady and she will be missed by all who were blessed to know her.
Thank you for this post, Elizabeth. Thankful for you sharing sweet Paula and how to help in Ukraine. Beautifully written.
Thank you Leslie, Paula was a wonderful friend and we are all so blessed to have known her from blogging.
Your post is beautiful, Elizabeth. I have no words today to say more.
Marieza, thank you.
Elizabeth, I can’t imagine knowing what you do about history in the midst of this terrible war. I am so saddened by it and feel anger toward that horrible man. It’s too much. How sweet to share about Paula. I remember when I first heard her voice I was in love with her accent. She was such an inspiration. Her zest for life was wonderful to see. Prayers for her husband and Sherman. Thank you for writing this post.
Regina, as I said in the post, I feel as if I am watching history repeat itself. I cannot fathom the fear of the last few weeks with troops massing at your border, and now, do you stay with your husband and the men in your family or do you flee the country to keep your children safe? Will there be anything to come back to? I have always thought Putin was as dangerous to this country as China, anyone with a nuclear capability is a threat to the world and more often than not the ego of the rulers goes to their head.
As for Paula, I am heartbroken. She fought so hard and was so determined and optimistic, not necessarily that she would beat cancer but that she could gain some extra time with your husband and family. She was an unbelievable woman and my life is forever changed for having known her even though I never met her in person.
thank you for commenting on the horrors happening in Ukraine.
Elizabeth, I love reading everything you write, but the passion and emotion in this post is what makes writing special. I was so sorry to hear about Paula’s passing. In your writing about her I am reminded of how God knits our hearts together with people we sometimes never meet in person. He is so good!
I am so sad about Ukraine and how Putin is acting. It is like stepping back in time and seeing in full color the past that our fathers saw first hand. Praying for all. Love you friend, Debbie Neel
Debbie, I could not agree with you more. It is shocking and sad to watch what what our grandparents saw and escaped. Thank you for your very kind words, I appreciate your visits and friendship! Have a wonderful day, I hope that you feel better soon. Love you too
Well said.
Thank you Linda
I’m sorry about your friend.
The maniac in the Kremlin needs to be stopped. Permanently.
Thank you William. I could not agree more about the maniac.
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. It’s really sad to see what’s happening in Ukraine. I really hope and pray all of this gets over soon.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
What a difficult time for the world. People like Paula keep me inspired and hopeful.
Marie, you are so right, Paula kept me inspired and in awe of her ability to see light in her fight.
Thank you so much for the kind words and thoughts regarding my wife, Paula. I knew her as an incredibly talented, sweet and strong lady. I was complete ignorant of her extensive reach with her blog. I was blessed to have had the time that I had with her. I miss her so much.
David, your wife was an amazing lady and her reach went far beyond Virginia. Her blog drew people in with the diy and crafts but they stayed because of her kindness, compassion, adventure, strength and tenacity during her fight. I have never seen a braver person. I have no words for your loss except to say that I am sorry for your pain and the loss of this bright light. Take care, Elizabeth
Paula was so special to me. I will always remember how she was the first one to send me a message offering advice when I started. She was a special human, an angel. I feel blessed to have crossed paths with her in my life. The world is going through such painful times. My heart breaks, but like Paula, hope will always be alive in my heart. Hugs my friend!
Melba, you are absolutely right, Paula was an angel to many, her students, mother, Sherman, so many of us and everyone else that she touched. She will be missed.