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.  

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!  

Merry Merry!

Only 6 more sleeps until Santa Claus comes!  I'm sure he is checking over his list at this very moment.  

So much has happened in the past month and yet, so little.  Deanna, Christy, Miranda and I met yesterday to plan the Parkwood High School class of '91 30th year reunion.  Technically, it is now 31 years but you know...Covid.  Afterwards, we ate at Emmet's Social Club which is in the historic old mill in Waxhaw.  It was a great day.  

Christy took this photo of me and when I see it, I see my Mom.  Is it just me? 

Yes, I'm wearing my "Go Jesus, It's your birthday" shirt.  I'm sure that is only funny to people over a certain age.  

I am loving wearing Mom's socks...

And...I even broke out one of her most favorite coats.  She wore this one all of the time the past few years. 

Scott received a 15 year service award from Charlotte Radiology.  They asked him to send in a photo of himself holding the award.  He wanted the dogs in the photo.  Blossom obliged.  Balto had places to be. 

Deanna, Christy and I went to Waxhaw for a fun afternoon of food and shopping.  Miranda was supposed to join us; however, she was under the weather. 

For your photo viewing pleasure, I recreated my infamous (only to me) crawl across the Waxhaw Bridge during a 1978/79 class field trip to the fire station.  I was the only one in Mrs. Crawford's kindergarten class who was too scared to walk across.  I stayed in the back and crawled the entire way across.  My teacher assistant, Mrs. Hemby, and another student (Reagan Blythe) stayed with me.  

Mom's grave marker is in.  It is close to what I wanted except that the dogwood is just too large.  I wish it were smaller to look more proporationate to the cross.  I hope Mom would approve.  

There were so many things I wanted to say on the marker.  This like how she was the best mom & grandmother ever, her favorite Bible verse, that she and Dad were married 62 years.... I didn't.  The marker wasn't big enough to do her justice.  

Some photos of Laura just because.....

Daniel is still spending a lot of time with Dad.  He likes to sleepover on the weekends and now that he is out for Christmas break, he will be staying over a lot, I'm sure.  One morning I went over to wake Dad up and and I found this in his room.  This is so my Dad...

I hope that everyone is having a happy holiday season.  Work has been busy and Dad has been, well, Dad.  We have had a trip to the ER, the doctor and even a sigmoidoscopy.  He is a full time job on top of my full time job but I wouldn't change a thing.  Well, I wouldn't hate it if he married a Nurse.  LOL.