Christmas is almost here.  I hear so many saying that it "just doesn't feel like Christmas this year".  Maybe....but I think it feels more special.  Gone are the busy schedules and the "have to do" lists.  This year it feels like a true "Silent Night".  It's about Jesus.  God came to earth as a baby to rescue us from sin.  

Here's a throwback to 2 of my favorite Christmas pictures: 

1.  Sadie with Santa Claus

2.  Greta Claus.  Bless her; she hated that outfit. 

Oh how I miss Sadie and Greta.  I'm thankful for photos. 

Waxhaw had a "reverse Christmas parade" this year.  I don't really know what that means but here's a picture of Daniel in his outfit. 

All of a sudden, Dad has started making fried potatoes.  Surprisingly, they are really good!  They wouldn't win any healthy eating awards but they sure are tasty.  Maybe he has finally found a new hobby....cooking.  

Check out this picture I took of mom's walker.  As you can see, she is carrying around a bag of M&M's in her basket.  Mom has a real sweet tooth and it keeps getting sweeter by the day!

Not Mom's Cat is moving.  We don't know the day.  Dad went to the owner and asked him if they would consider leaving the cat with them (since it lives at their house).  The owner said, "No" and that they loved the cat because it "isn't any trouble".  Yes, hard to be trouble when you live at someone else's house.  There were many tears shed when Daniel found out.  Mom was very upset as well.  This cat has been a part of the family for over 3 years.  The neighbors have already moved but their horse barn is staying.  There is a rather popular riding school there and the new owners are planning to keep it going.  Every day I wonder if it is the last day I will see this cat.  My heart breaks for Mom as it has become a real friend to her.  Here's a picture of Mom and the cat watching Wheel of Fortune last week.  

Last week was my busiest work week of the year.  I had so much work to do for the end of the year.  I planned ahead and brought my neck massager with me.  

Last night I went to Mom and Dad's and found Dad in a lot of pain.  His leg bag was empty and had been for hours.  I told him that was a medical emergency and we had to go to the ER.  Unfortunately, due to Covid, I had to spend the first 3 hours in my car while Dad sat alone in the waiting room.  Someone was supposed to call me and let me know what was going on (Dad doesn't have a cell phone).  Thankfully, my Aunt Zell called and spoke to someone who told her that Dad was in a triage room and to go to the door and they would let me in.  I'm so thankful for Aunt Zell's help.  

I was let inside around 11:00 pm.  Thankfully, Dad's catheter was stopped up and was an easy fix.  Once they put a new catheter in he felt immediate relief and was asleep within 15 minutes.  

Thankful and tired, I was at home on my couch at 1:00 a.m.  6 hours later.  

Photo Challenge Day 9

As I was sitting here on my daybed wondering what on earth picture I would post today, I looked up and saw my sweet Greta looking at me.

Where's Balto?

Find Balto in this picture.

The dogs are loving the cooler weather.

It has been almost a year since our sweet, sweet Greta passed.  I was just looking on my phone and saw that exactly one year ago today, I took the following pictures.  It is so hard to believe she was 17 years old!  Since I wasn't posting back then, I'm going to post them now.  

This was her very favorite spot in the whole world.  

I remember that bathtub picture clearly.  She was running around the house like a kitten having a great time.  Luckily, I had my phone with me.  

I really miss having a cat!  I do look forward to adopting a kitten in the near future (hopefully).  Scott says no.  Stay tuned to see who wins.  

Last night was my last night of therapy.  I don't find it coincidental at all that I started therapy on the night before my dad had to be rushed to the hospital in July and that he was released by his home healthcare nurse on the same day I was released by my therapist.  God put my therapist in my life at the exact time he knew I would need her.  I really don't know how I would have navigated the past few months without her help.  I went to her with the thought that after many, many years of anxiety, I would finally get some help.  I just didn't realize that it would be help for very different anxiety than what I had first thought.  The timing is just too perfect not to be divinely designed.  

I still have a long way to go with my "homework" but, I now have the tools to help me reach my goals.  I also know that I am much stronger than I ever thought I was and I can handle things that I would have never thought I could.  

Speaking of cats...I took this picture of my new yoga teacher.  

(Not really.  Photo by Gemma Correll)

Days 2 & 3 - Classical Stretch Challenge

Day 2 - Full Body Strengthening: I feel like I am standing a little straighter already.  My favorite benefit to the workouts is that it really strengthens my arms.  Several years ago, Scott and I were selected by the National Health Institute to have a series of medical tests run on us for statistical research.  My tests showed that my muscle strength is WEAKER than the average female American my age.   Maybe it is time I work on that!

Day 3 - Stress Release:  This episode is very helpful for tight hamstrings, neck & shoulders.

In other news....my hipster friend, Linda, has taught me to Snapchat.  Now my snapchat friends get very necessary snaps throughout the day such as:

 Or....

 And, don't forget...

Isn't life great?  Before I go, I'd like to say..."Hi Lorraine!"

Blank

I'm sitting at my desk staring at the monitor wondering what on earth to write about.  Beside me are two sleeping, yet clean, dogs.  Blossom and Balto went to the groomer pet spa yesterday.  Here's Balto sporting the froggy bandana given to him by the groomer. 

Blossom kept scratching at her rose colored bandana so I took it off before I could take a picture.  I did take one of her with my dad last night.  

My 5K training is going but I have a lot of room for improvement!  I only worked out 3 days last week.  And....while my diet was better than December, I took the weekend off and ate greasy restaurant food on Saturday and Sunday.  Baby steps I guess.

My house is still a mess....I have made NO progress on that front.  Our new Sleep Number mattress arrives on Saturday so I will need to get ready.  We have to break apart the bed we have now and move it to another room.  

Greta is still hating her fluids every night but as soon as she gets them she runs around like a kitten.  Within 5 minutes she is purring on a warm lap, happy as can be.  Since this post would not be complete without a picture of Greta, I found her sleeping in a spare bedroom and snapped a pic.  You can tell by her face that I turned on the light and woke her up.  

Wednesday, I start a Marriage Enrichment class at my church.  The interesting thing about that is that Scott isn't taking it with me.  I keep teasing him that my side of the marriage will be richer than his.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Have a happy week!  My goal is to start posting 3 times a week....we'll see how that goes! 

 

So Long 2014

As with every year, 2014 had its share of "high" moments and some "not quite as high" moments. I lost quite a few loved ones this year, some expected and some very unexpected.  I will cherish every moment shared with them and will carry them with me forever.  

I have made a commitment to RUN my first 5K in 2015.  I have walked quite a few 5K's but I have never actually ran an entire 5K.  Yesterday, Scott & I went to Run For Your Life and had my feet/gait analyzed by an "expert" for a new pair of running shoes.  I'm so glad I did because I had no idea you are supposed to buy running shoes at least 1 to 1 1/2 sizes larger than your normal size.  I normally wear a 7 but my new shoes are an 8 1/2.  I'm on day 3 of the Couch to 5K app and am in the process of learning to run properly.  I'll keep you posted on my progress.  Not because anyone would particularly care but because I need to hold myself accountable somehow.  

The past few weeks have been a whirlwind of busyness, both at home and at work.  Scott & I have taken our turns with the winter cold that seems to be sparing no one around our area.  I'm actually looking forward to going back to work in the morning and getting back into the "normal" routine. 

A couple of months ago, Scott decided he wanted us to buy a king sized bed.  I'm one of those rare girls that really dislikes shopping.  When the time came to go shopping for a bed I said, "Why don't you build one?"  So, he did...

This is a picture of the bed before he disassembled it to paint.  It is now an "off-white" color.  Earlier today, we bought a Sleep Number mattress.  Wow, I had no idea that buying a mattress could be as difficult as buying a car (and frankly, as expensive as some too!)  I'm looking forward to our new mattress being delivered.  I will post pictures of the finished product once it arrives.  I guess I have to buy new sheets & a new comforter now.  

Blossom still has her 1 1/2 roll per week toilet paper habit. 

So for Christmas Santa brought Blossom her very own roll.

 Greta enjoyed the warm, sunny weather that we had earlier this weekend...

And, because I don't want to leave Huggybear out....here's a picture with Balto...

Well, Greta just threw up on the couch.  Time to to some more laundry....

Sunday

Hi.  It's been a whole week since I've posted anything.  This past week was rather mentally draining so I'm just sitting at my computer, drawing a blank on what to post.  Since I can't seem to come up with anything good, I decided to share a couple of pictures that I found on my camera.  

Here I am with my mom on her birthday last February...

Last month, my friend Megan and I went to Buzz Fest for the Charlotte Hornets.

My birthday in September (with my niece, nephew & the world's best cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes).

Greta decided to join me in Bible study

Daniel is playing "copy-cat" with Blossom.

Because Greta's veins are hard to locate, the vet techs wrap her like a burrito and hold her down.  Here she is shooting hate beams at me with her eyes.  Coincidentally, this is the same look she gives me every night when Scott and I give her fluids to her... 

Finally, I came across the following quote this week and it has really left an impact on me...

Happy Sunday!

3-2-1 Birthday

Yesterday I had the privilege of serving at 3-2-1 DASH with Elevation Outreach.  The 3-2-1 DASH is a 5K that helps to raise funds and awareness for the Down's Syndrome Society of Charlotte.  My friend, Cat, has 3 #21 chromosomes.  It is always a privilege to serve alongside of Cat.  The picture below is of her and her father, George.  George ran the 5K. 

After serving at the DASH all morning and coming home for a quick nap, I went to church with my good friends the Mackay family at Transformation Church.  It was awesome to worship with my friends.  

Today is Daniel's 5th birthday.  Not surprisingly, Daniel chose Red Robin for his birthday lunch.  He also chose "Cars" for his party theme.  Here's a picture of the birthday boy blowing his candles out. 

As always, Daniel asked for helicopters for his birthday.  To his relief, Nana and Papa gave him helicopters.  Uncle Scott & Aunt Julie (that's me) gave him a playmobil car and....a rocket launcher.  The rockets launch when you step on an air pillow (see top of picture for rocket).

A few more pictures from today:

 

Even Sophie came to the party.

One more picture before I go.  Here's a picture of what happens at my house almost every night....

Instagram Ketchup

For those of you who don't follow me on Instagram (Lorraine) here is my "Instagram Week In Review":

Greta was taking a cat nap when Balto decided he wanted the spot beside her.  She was not amused.  

Oops she did it again...

All of my animals like Scott the best...

 

Balto fell asleep on top of his toys. 

Last night, Christy and I went to the Checkers' game.  They're in the middle of a playoff push and won the game in a shootout hugely in part to this guy.

We had the pleasure of hearing the guy behind us give his date "play by play" of the entire game. Very loudly. Clearly he wanted her to think he knew what was going on.  Sometimes he did.  Sometimes he did not and it was all I could do to sit there quietly.  Our main problem with the guy was that his girlfriend was not blind and she didn't need him to tell her the obvious.  But, we had fun with it and decided to describe the game to each other as if we were that guy.  When the announcer said the game would be going into a shootout I informed Christy that the players would not be using actual guns....however, that might be the only thing that could make a shootout more exciting than it already is!  I have a love/hate relationship with shootouts. They make me nervous! 

I watched the kids this afternoon so that my brother could attend the funeral of a very dear friend of ours.  Here's Daniel kicked back watching some toons on NickJr.  

At age four, Daniel already has a wicked sense of humor.  I asked him what he learned about in church today and he gave me a knowing smile and said, "God".  So I asked him if he knew who God is.  He said "Jesus".  Then I asked him if Jesus loved me and he told me that Jesus loves everyone.  *Smiles*

Daniel is a very smart kid.  So smart that his PreK teachers say he is by far the smartest kid in the class.  In fact, my mom said that they mentioned he might be a genius if he could just focus.  For this reason, they want him tested for Asperger's Syndrome.  I had not even thought of this possibility although having a sibling on the autism spectrum does make him a much higher risk.  Even though I take Daniel to school every day, I've never actually seen him with his class so I'm not sure how he interacts with them in that setting. Either way, he's just a super fun kid to be around.  

(I tried to take a picture of Laura but she wouldn't look at the camera.)

I guess I should say that I might be starting to understand and actually kind of...maybe...sort of...like my job.  The next few weeks are going to be very hard for me; I have to do a lot of accounting BUT, if I can do it....I might just be ok. 

Tough work week but I'm headed to Raleigh next weekend to see the Hurricanes.  Woohoo!