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?  

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!  

 

A Mid-November Night's Dream

November.  Where the daylight hours are shorter and so is my hair.  

This is the shortest my hair has been since High School and I am loving it.  

Since I last posted, Kevin's entire family tested positive for Covid19.  Seeing as how I took these pictures only hours before the kids tested positive, Dad and I had to quarantine as well.  

Despite being fully vaccinated, Kevin and Rana had a few rough days.  Daniel and Laura's symptoms were a little easier. Rana was able to return to work on Friday despite a lingering cough.  Kevin and Daniel are allowed to return to work and school on Monday (tomorrow) while Laura returned on Wednesday.  Thankfully, Dad and I did not catch the virus.  Thanks be to God that our vaccines did their job! (Me: Pfizer; Dad: Moderna) I was surprised as I was very close to Laura for hours while she was coughing on the day before her test.  

Lately I feel stuck in rhythms and routines that just aren't working for me.  There are things that are non-negotiable like being my dad's caregiver and caring for a dog that is partially paralyzed.  I need to figure out new habits and routines where I can balance caregiving, my paying job and the things that I need/want to do for myself.  I find it overwhelming at times and I'm asking God for help.  

Coming soon:  Thanksgiving Day!  

October Sky

Happy mid-week to all!  

I should let everyone know that all went well with my diagnostic mammogram.  I was told that I had "tissue overlap" in my previous mammogram and they needed to stretch it out to see it better.  

Fall temperatures are finally here in the Carolinas.  Blossom and Balto aren't missing the 90 degree weather.  

Laura's class has been learning about Doctors and Nurses.  Here's Dr. Laura....

Daniel has been working on his go-cart. 

Halloween is around the corner and Daniel is ready.

I have mixed feelings about this time of year.  I LOVE the colorful leaves along with the crisp air and the clear blue skies; however,  I dread the disappearing hours of daylight.  My therapist suggested that I try using light therapy to keep my anxiety at bay.  I am supposed to use the light for around 20 minutes, 3 mornings per week.  It's hard to imagine that this is going to "do" anything but I will keep you posted.  

My Christmas gift list is very short and I am trying to complete it before Thanksgiving.  Concern for issues with delivery and the supply chain are fueling my urgency!  Have you started your list?

My hair looks like poop lately.  I can't believe I'm going to say this but I've decided to get it cut!  I'll be sure to post before and after pictures this weekend.  Here it is now....

Do you have any plans for Halloween?  I plan to dress up like a couch potato and sit on my couch with the remote control. 

Last but not least, go Braves!  I'm enjoying watching the World Series with Dad.  

Monday, Monday

Happy Monday to everyone!  Fall has finally arrived here in the Carolinas and so far, it hasn't disappointed.  Fall, I love.  Winter not so much.  

Scott planted a couple of Hydrangeas for me on Saturday.  He had the best kind of help.  

Balto made a break for it and ran to Nana's house.  He loves Nana so much and misses her.  Daniel was inside and showed him the miniature air conditioner that he made out of a cardboard box.  In the photo below, Daniel is showing him where the cold air comes out.  

Balto is wishing that he had made a food dispenser.  He's hoping that treats are going to fall out.  

Dad is doing well.  He is enjoying watching the Atlanta Braves play in the National League Championship.  He's still very optimistic that his doctor is going to let him drive again.  Thankfully, the doctor has put off that decision until at least January.  

GriefShare has bee going really well.  We have 4 more sessions left out of 13 sessions.  You can repeat the course as many times as you like.  I feel like I have learned a lot of useful information and grown closer to many people that I didn't know very well/or at all.  I would highly recommend GriefShare to even those who think they don't need it.  I have learned so many things that I can use to help others.  

I received a call back from my recent mammogram.  I have a diagnostic exam scheduled for Thursday of this week.   I almost made it a whole week without an appointment for Dad or myself.  Wishful thinking!  

 

And when you bend to pick it up, another one falls.