Five years ago, my parents started having a frequent visitor of the feline persuasion.  If you've been around this blog for a while, you might remember "Not my parents cat" or "Fuzzy" as Daniel sometimes called it. 

Several weeks ago,  I noticed that the farm beside my parents' house was vacant.  I did a little spy work on Facebook and found out that they had moved several hours away.  I sent the previous owner a private message and said that I had noticed their house was vacant and that we had inherited one of their cats.  I asked her if the cat was male or female, up to date on vaccinations, and what its name is.  

Drumroll please:  It's a BOY named JERRY.  

Mom would be tickled pink that Dad has a cat!  She loved this little guy.  

Jerry, you're stuck with us now!  

Randomness

Since I haven't posted in a while, I am going to post some recent photos from my phone.  

Kevin and I took Daniel and Laura to visit The Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens: 

Sweet Laura

Kevin's family on Father's Day

My dear cousin, Annette

Aunt Zell and Buddy took me for a ride on their golf cart

Dad turned 87

Daniel turned 13

Laura completed another year with the Mitey Riders

Proud Dad 

Blossom was unable to move off of the couch by herself on her last days.  Scott bought an air mattress and slept beside her ever night.  

Our sweet baby Balto

Next post:  Whatever happened to Not Mom and Dad's Cat?  

Life

I have long come to the realization that life is short.  I mean, really short.  Yesterday, I felt like I had been gut-punched with grief for my momma.  I miss her so much.  I wish we could go back to a time where she was able to go and do all that she wanted to.  I'd love to travel with Mom.  We'd visit all of the places she said she wanted to see but never did.  I'd hug her as tight as I could and breathe her in.  Oh how I miss her so.  I still can't wrap my head around the fact that I'll never see her again this side of heaven.    

Three weeks ago, we said goodbye to our Blossom.  It was horrible but she was becoming miserable.  Upon her diagnosis three years ago, the neurologist said we'd have her for about one more year.  We had three.  I've never known a dog with such spirit and fight.  Blossom was such a blessing to our lives and she took a huge part of our hearts with her.  

The week after her death, we had a sweet visitor for several days.  Dori was just what Scott, Balto and I needed to lift our spirits and help our hearts.  Thank you to my friend Miranda for sharing her with us.  

I don't know about you but I am struggling with all of the change in the world.  Between all of the change that the pandemic brought, the wars, gun violence, people being able to "choose" their gender, so much meanness, the influx of people moving into my city and changing it, illness, death - I could go on - I am struggling to make sense of the world we live in.  Not all of the changes have been bad; I do enjoy working remotely at times but I no longer feel like I understand (or like) the world we live in.  Life is hard.  

I'm trying to save my sanity and am trying to cut back on all types of media.  I want to limit my time viewing social media, news media and television/movies; you know, a simpler life.  I am learning to play the drums and am taking private French lessons with an online tutor from France every week.  I need to engage my mind.  I don't believe that we were created to consume so much information all of the time.  I'd love to go back to simpler times.  You will see me around here more often as I am choosing to channel my time and energy into different areas.  

I Miss My Mom

Last night, I dreamed that I saw Mom.  I was shopping in a grocery store when I looked over and there she was.  She looked to be about 60-65 years old, dressed in very stylish clothes and wearing some super cute eyeglasses.  Mom was smiling so brightly at me.  I believe part of me knew that she had been dead but it didn't feel odd to see her there.  We were both so happy to see each other and while we were trying to make our way to each other, the picture started freezing and I woke up.  

I'll never stop missing her.  

March Madness

Howdy Stranger!  It's been a while since I last posted.  Let me do a quick recap.  

Rana's mom passed away in her arms.  After spending around 6 weeks in Syria taking care of her mom and then her mom's affairs, Rana is home.  

Dad came over to watch the Super Bowl.  This was HUGE!  Due to his health, he had not been to my house in many, many months.  Not only was he able to come over to watch the game, he walked up and down the stairs to our basement.  This is something he could not have done for well over a year.  

Did you notice that Balto is sitting in the chair beside Dad?  

Balto sees his groomer every 10 weeks.  She posted this photo on Facebook after his last visit.  

She made a whole 'nother dog out of his hair!  She also did this with a Golden Retriever that she groomed the day before with a post that it is now "shedding season".  

Mom's birthday (her first in Heaven) was on the 21st (February).  Dad and I ate lunch in Sun City with 2 of their very best friends, Joann and Jerry Stoker.  Later that day, I picked up some flowers that I had ordered for myself from a local florist.  

For supper, we ordered out Five Guys and had a special birthday cake for Nana.  She would have wanted her grandchildren to have cake!  Oh Mom, we miss you so much.  

Now that spring is here, we gave Blossom a much needed bath...

I had my first colonoscopy.  It's so true what everybody says about the prep being the worst part of it.  Thankfully, I don't have to do that again for another 10 years!

I love teaching Laura at church on Sundays.  

There you have it.  A very quick, yet boring, recap.  I promise to do much better next time!  

 

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

February is American Heart Month.  Seeing as how I'm an American, I should probably take the time to check in with my heart health.  Last year, after what I thought was a routine echocardiogram, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Diastolic Dysfunction.  This diagnosis was a complete surprise to me as I have no symptoms.  Two internal medicine doctors, one cardiologist and my Dad's doctor (a family friend), told me not to worry about it.  They said to eat a low sodium diet and try to get at least 30 minutes of cardio every day.  The cardiologist said he'd also like for me to begin a regular yoga practice.  

Clearly, the first thing I did was Google "Stage 2 Diastolic Dysfunction".  Immediately, I started to plan my funeral.  My doctors have told me that my 2DD is most likely from extreme stress and could possibly be reversible.  The internet tells me that I am in heart failure and things are going to get much worse.  I recently noted on my online health chart that my cardiologist listed "chronic diastolic heart failure" as one of my health issues.  I know that heart failure doesn't mean exactly what it sounds like; however, it isn't something I should take lightly.

My heart pledge as of February 9:

• TRY to get in 4 days of at least 30 minutes of cardio exercise.
• Make better choices when it comes to diet which includes eating daily fruits and vegetables
• Yoga and/or meditation most days of the week
• Be mindful and recognize stress
• Track my vitals regularly in a log 

Feel free to join me as I take better control of my health.  I plan to document my progress here on the blog. 

Random updates:

Rana is still in Syria taking care of her mom.  Shas made some major improvements; however, is still unable to speak and has a very long way to go.  

Dad is doing much better ever since his hospital release.

Blossom is still with us despite progression of her disease.  She is still as feisty and spunky as ever.  Also, this disease has not lowered her appetite one bit!