Is it just me or are the years flying by?  It reminds me of when I'm driving down the road and I realize I have no recollection of my drive so far.  Distracted.  Some people feel the need to come up with  a word to define their years - maybe my word for 2019 would be Distracted.  

Blossom had an appointment with Dr. Hay on Saturday.  She's had a cycle of the top of her nose bleeding & scabbing for at least 4 months.  I drug my feet on taking her to the Vet.   #1:  I couldn't find time between all of my parents activities & #2: I just knew that Dr Hay was going to throw out the "C" word.  Turns out, he didn't think it was "C" at all.  He said it was probably "D"....Dermatitis.  She is on antibiotics to see if it helps.  

Dr. Hay was very encouraged by how well Blossom is doing this far in to a Degenerative Myelopathy diagnosis.  He even gave us some hope that maybe she has Polyneuropathy which could stabilize.  That being said, Scott and I have since noticed that her weakness has started to progress over the past few days.  We are thankful that, so far, it is still confined to her back left leg and she is able to get around very well.  

Saturday afternoon, I took Mom to CVS to buy a Birthday card for Scott and.....some reading glasses.    Ever since she had cataract surgery she no longer needs to wear glasses full time.

Inflatable Snoopy makes me happy.  Every night when I drive up the driveway and see Snoopy standing on the front porch, I smile.  

See ya next year.

I Blinked

Christmas is over.  I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.  Is is ok to admit that?  

We started off the week with Mom's cataract surgery.  I can't tell you how glad I am that day is over.  

Merry Christmas Eve Eve Eve

Can you believe Christmas is here?  If only "End of (work) Year" didn't fall at the same time. I've been spending most of my free time working this weekend.  On a positive note, I'm finally getting over my most recent cold.  

Amanda, my cousin, posted this on Facebook and it really spoke to me.  :-)  

It's Friday night and I'm on my couch watching Alice.  I'm on Day 11 of a super fun cold and I'm trying to type this post in between violent coughing fits.  I'm so tired of coughing and I just want it to go away.  I wake up every day thinking "Today's the day it goes away".  It hasn't.  

My Uncle Skee is in the hospital and he isn't doing very well.  It seems like so many people that I love are having a really tough time right now.  I hope that we all catch a break real soon!  

I've gotten so far behind with my blog.  Here's a quick recap:

Aunt Zell texted this photo of her dog, Toto.  I thought it was too cute not to share.  

November Wrap Up

Sorry for the long post.... I wanted to start my post where I left off.  On November 12th, my cousin, Brigadier General Jeff Jones, spoke at our Veteran's Day luncheon at church.  I took a couple of these photos from Facebook, hence the reason there are boxes around their faces.  I can't figure out how to turn that feature off!  

My pastor, Jim Davidson, is on the left; Jeff is on the right.  My pastor is an Army Chaplain in the National Guard.  

November Rain

The forecast said the weather would be beautiful this week but, so far, it has rained both days.  It has been a very hard week for my family and this weather is fitting to our mood.  Aunt Sara, my beautiful Aunt Sara, died unexpectedly over the weekend.  My initial post was going to include how her son, Jeff (Jeffrey as we call him), spoke at my church for a Veteran's Day service on Tuesday.  Jeff is a Brigadier General.  Aunt Sara and Uncle John were in attendance along with several other family members including my parents and Aunt Zell.  I will post pictures this weekend once we get through the initial shock and the funeral.  

Meanwhile, I just wanted to update everyone on where I've been.  Here is the picture and obituary of my beautiful Aunt Sara.  

November Is Here

The end of Daylight Savings Time really seems to have a negative effect on me.  I come home from work and struggle to get anything done around the house although, I do love waking up when it isn't "pitch black" outside.  The House passed a bill in North Carolina to get rid of DST.  As of this moment, it has stalled in the Senate.  Since I live on the State line and go to church in South Carolina....I'm not sure how I will maneuver being on 2 different clocks.  

Every night, I visit my parents and make sure they are eating and taking their pills.  Some nights I cook for them.  It is a lot of work but, I wouldn't do anything differently.  Many nights, this is the meal they choose to make for themselves.  

Fall-o-ween

Can you believe it is already Halloween?  Daniel told me that it seems like the year has gone by so fast.  He's right!  

This boy always makes me smile.  You can't help but smile when you look down at your lap and see a face like that.  

Finally Fall

Fall has finally arrived in the south!  Today, the high was 70 degrees and the sky was a perfect shade of Carolina blue.

Girls Trip - Part 3

Our final day arrived way too fast!  Mike Tomkowicz, one of my favorite Vermonters, didn't get to make it to our Friday lunch at The Shanty, due to work obligations.  He asked Liz if we could stop by the office on our way to the airport.  Not only did I get to see Mike, I got to see Bob Bouchard too.

Girls Trip Part 2 - Photo Heavy

Disclaimer:  My pictures are very dark.  It was NOT that dark.  

We started our day Sunday by visiting Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT.  According to their website, it is "a 1,400 acre working farm and National Historic Landmark on the shores of Lake Champlain". The estate was created in 1886 by Dr. William Seward Webb and Eliza Osgood Vanderbilt Webb.  Those of you who are familiar with the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina will recognize that Eliza was a member of the Vanderbilt family.

The home is actually an Inn that you can stay in. Here is a picture....TripAdvisor gets the credit for this photo.

Girls Trip Part 1

Last weekend, Christy and I traveled to Burlington, Vermont.  Almost 19 years ago, I started working for a company based in Burlington.  I've wanted to visit Vermont ever since however, my fear of having a panic attack on an airplane kept me locked inside my own invisible prison.  After watching my parents struggle to get around as easily as they used to, I have been acutely aware of how short life is and that you need to do things while you can.  I had finally grown so tired of living in fear that I just decided to face it head on.  I handed my fear over to God once and for all and took the leap.  

My dear friend Liz, invited us up to stay with her.  Liz was a very gracious hostess; she thought of everything!  Not only did Liz let us stay with her, she showed us a wonderful weekend.  

Christy took a picture of me taking the bus from our car to the airport.  

Ketchup

Wow.  I can't believe how long it has been since my last post.  Here's a quick "ketchup"....

Papaw helped Daniel with his bicycle problems. Daniel tried to inflate a tire with an air compressor.  Let's just say that the explosion sounded like an explosion.  

Run Blossom Run!

Blossom is on week 3 of hydro and laser therapies and is doing very well.  We were concerned that she would be afraid of the treadmill however, Scott said that she took to it rather quickly.  

Hilton Head Island Getaway

Last Thursday, Blossom had her first therapy session at Vet Rec.  She has another session today.  My next post will be pictures and a video from her hydro and laser therapies.

Scott and I took Mom and Dad for a quick getaway to Hilton Head Island, SC this week.  We try to visit HHI every few years but, it had been a long time since we had been with my parents.

Labor Day Weekend

I am so thankful for Labor Day.  I love a holiday where I don't have to buy or cook anything.  Labor Day came at the perfect time for me this year; I needed some time to catch my breath.

We left work early on Friday and I enjoyed coming home to spend some much needed time with my dogs.  Here, Balto is showing his "hamster teef".

Blossom Time

Wednesday, Blossom had her initial visit to Vet-REC: Veterinary Rehabilitation & Exercise Clinic of the Carolinas.  Dr. Rachel Cain gave her a thorough exam and came up with a plan to tackle Blossom's condition.  Dr. Cain is everything I had hoped she would be...compassionate, patient, kind, knowledgeable etc.  Tuesday night, I prayed that our visit would give me hope and that prayer was answered.  Next Thursday, September 5th, Blossom will begin hydrotherapy (underwater treadmill) and either laser therapy or electro-acupuncture. Scott hasn't decided which one of the latter 2 that he wants to start with.  In the meantime, we are spoiling our girl and enjoying every moment with her.  These therapies are not a cure but, they will help her quality of life.  

Gone to the Dogs

The Paw Patrol worked full time this week.

Happy Birthday Jim!

My boss celebrates his 60th birthday tomorrow.  Last night, Scott and I attended a birthday party at his house.  Here we are with Jim and Wendy.  Wendy works in the office next door and comes over every day at lunch to watch soap operas with us.

The Answer is Vermont!

It took me way too long to follow up my last post but, the answer is that I'm headed to Vermont in October!  For thirteen years, I worked for a wonderful company based  in South Burlington, Vermont.       During that time, I met some of my favorite people in the world.  Two of my former coworkers have even come to stay with me at my house.  Now, it is my turn to visit.  I can't wait!  Sidebar:  I still work at the same job; we were sold to a new company.  

Christy is going to be my traveling buddy.  We are staying with my sweet friend Liz, who will also be our tour guide. We are also planning to visit Montreal, Canada, as well, so I'm currently brushing up on my French! 

Kristi, Christina, Kim, Lorraine.....I'm heading your way!!!!  I hope to see all of you and maybe even Mike too.

My sweet Jill.  I didn't get there soon enough but, I know that wherever you are, you are proud of me for finally facing my fear of having a panic attack on a plane.  I can almost hear you saying, "IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!"  Liz asked me if there was anything I had to see on this trip and I told her the only thing I MUST do is eat at The Shanty.  You ate there every week with your Grandmother and had hoped I eat there one day too.  

My parents have been doing pretty well lately and I enjoy helping them out.  It has become a full time job on top of my full time job and I'm trying to keep my house from imploding.  I need a maid!!! 

Some photos from the past 2 weeks:  

Blossom has started dragging her back, left, foot.  Scott took her to the Vet who said it was arthritis.  We both have a feeling that is not arthritis and plan to get it x-rayed.  

Going For a Ride in a Big Jet Plane

Exactly 30 years to the month since my last flight, I'm going to get on an airplane and take a trip!  

Picture by Ebony Paws - Etsy

Can you guess where I am going?  

• My trip is in October and the leaves will be showing off their vivid fall colors.  

• It may or may not be snowing!  

• I have lots of friends where I'm going but I rarely get to see them.  

• I have never been to visit this state although it has been at the top of my list for almost 20 years.  

• I'm even going to take a day trip outside of the US to a city where I will be the one speaking a foreign language.  

Where am I going???  

Summer, Slow Down!

I can't believe that July is almost over already.  Where has the summer gone?  Lately, I've spent a lot of time in my car driving my mom to doctor appointments, hair appointments, and physical therapy.  Here are a few pictures from the past couple of weeks.  

You can usually find Daniel hanging around Papaw.

Calgon, Take Me Away...Again

Last Saturday (not yesterday), Dad and I were watching Alvin and the Chipmunks with Daniel.  Dad was really enjoying the movie and decided to get his Caddyshack Gopher.  He loves it.

Friday #2

Today is Friday, the 5th of July, and I had to go back to work.  Thankfully, our company let us off at 3:00 p.m. again today.  It's better than nothing.

I just helped 2 Cardinals chase a Hawk out of the yard.  The Hawk was beautiful; however, the Cardinals didn't seem to care.  

The Fourth of July is my least favorite holiday due to fireworks; I'm glad it is over.  

Dog-Gone Squirrels

Note:  I originally wrote this post on Sunday night but never posted it.

I just went to put some Nyjer seed in my Finch feeder and this is what I found....

Summer Sunday and Happy Father's Day

Another hot summer day calls for ice cream.  Daniel decided to bring a bottle of sprinkles from his house to Nana's house, to top off his cone.  Along the way, he dropped the bottle next to an ant hill and half of the sprinkles fell out.  I bet those ants are so sick today.  

He was a little concerned that the ants might get cavities but, I told him that I wasn't even sure that ants have teeth.  That seemed to make him feel better.  

Catch My Breath

It's Saturday night and I'm sitting on my porch listening to the fountain below and catching my breath.  

This week has been a wonderfully busy week.

On My Couch

It's Friday night and I'm in my happy place...On the couch in my pj's with Balto and my blanket.  I turned on Netflix and picked a documentary called "Born in Syria".  It is an award winning foreign film (yes, subtitles) from the perspective of Syrian refugee children.  The movie reminded me of how blessed we are in America and to be more compassionate of everyone.  

This has been quite a week.  Last night, I walked over to visit Mom and Dad.  Dad was making supper (Vienna sausages and biscuits w/ a baked potato - seriously) and Mom was setting the table.  She asked me if there was something slippery on the floor.  I couldn't find anything.  Curious, I asked her why she thought there was something slippery on the floor and she mentioned that she fell earlier.  She seemed perfectly normal and said she was fine.  After she ate, I asked her if anything hurt.  She told me that she hit her head and there was a big knot on the back of it.  I put my hand on the back of her head and felt a very large bump.  Long story short, I made her go to the ER.  Mom is on blood thinners for A-fib so there really wasn't any choice.  Thankfully, her CT scan was clear and the doctor said there was "no brain bleed".  We got home around 10:30 p.m. 

Doctor, Doctor

When we left Urgent Care on Friday, the P.A. stressed to us that if mom's hand started to swell or turn blue, we needed to go straight to an ER.  Sunday afternoon, her hand was very swollen and blue so....

Uncertainty Is Ok

For my entire life, I've believed that uncertainty is not only not OK, it is to be feared and worried about.  I wasn't taught this belief and I didn't actually realize I held it until recently.  This is what psychologists would call one of my "core beliefs".    I'm slowly learning that uncertainty is OK.  I don't need to try to figure out every possible scenario, before it happens, so that I can be prepared.  I am working on "going with the flow".  

Speaking of things you can't plan for.... While Rana is in Syria, Mom has been walking over to Kevin's house every morning to watch Laura while Kevin takes Daniel to school. On her way home Friday morning, Mom stepped in a hole in the yard and fell (around 7:15 a.m).  She didn't tell anyone (not even Dad) until she called me at work at 4:30 p.m. to see if I would come over and look at her arm when I got home.  Long story short....

Urgent Care Center at 6:00 p.m. 

Caturday

Scott woke up early today to paint the (garden) fence before the thermometer hit 90 degrees.  

The Spacebook

Monday, I walked next door to visit with Mom and Dad and found the cat on top of Mom's car.   It looks like it has two heads.  

Summer Is Early

It is 92 degrees as I sit on my porch typing this post.  These are the days I wish I had a pool.  

Sunday Soup

I don't even know where to begin so I'm going to start where I left off.

Monday:  A German Shepherd puppy visited my neighbor this week.  My dogs were fascinated and seem sad that it is gone.  

Lovely Linda

Thursday night, Linda and I had dinner at Viva Chicken.  Linda is one of my very favorite people in the world and I always enjoy catching up with her.  

Happy 84th Birthday, Dad!

Dad turned 84 on Tuesday.  He didn't feel like going out to a restaurant so I was asked to pick up Five Guys' Burgers and Fries (and peanuts!)   Mom said we will all go out to eat at a different time.  Unfortunately, Rana had to work so she missed out on this part of Dad's celebration.  She is heading back to Syria for 3 weeks on May 10th and is working as many hours as she can now.  

Double Digit Daniel

Daniel turned 10 years old on Saturday.  Lucky Daniel, he celebrated his birthday at the beach!  Kevin texted this picture to me from Joe's Crab Shack.  They gave him a sombrero to wear while he ate his birthday meal.   You know me, all I can think is "There ain't no way I'm putting that thing on my head."  I can almost feel the lice crawling in my hair!  

April Flowers

Happy Birthday to Dad's sisters.  These women that I love so much all have birthdays in the month of April.

Sunday Night Sadness

It's 10:00 pm on Sunday night and I'm not ready for the weekend to end.  Last week was a blur as we had several VIP's from our corporate office in town for most of the week and everything was out of our normal routine.  The men were all very nice and I like them very much but, my social anxiety won't let me relax when they are around.  

Here are a few highlights from my week:    

A typical Sunday afternoon last week:  Mom reading the paper while Daniel watches SpongeBob and plays games on his iPad. 

April Fun

Monday night, I took Balto to visit Mom and Dad.  It was a little tricky getting Balto past the (neighbor's) cat who was lying on the bed by the door.  They both seemed very surprised to see each other.  Once inside, Balto tip-toed to the door and watched the cat sleep.  

Sunday Summary

I can't believe Monday is almost here again.  This is a recap of my weekend... 

Check out this cute boy:  

So Much To Say...

...and yet, nothing much to say really.  I just got home from taking Balto to the Vet.  This is his third visit in less than a month.  Today, Dr. "B" gave him shots of cortisone in his anal glands.  Poor guy.

Spring Sprang Sprung!

Spring is here and all is right in Julie's world again.  The days are long, the weather is warm and everything is starting to bloom.  

This week, my hormones threw up on my face and I had a giant acne cyst all week.  I took this picture when the worst had passed and it was on the way out.  (Picture it much redder; my phone takes the red out of pictures.) 

Friday, I told my boss that I thought my cyst was starting to look better.  He said, "Yeah right.  It went from Mt. Everest to Mt. Saint Helens!" 

Farmer Julie

I've decided to plant a vegetable garden.  Having never grown my own food I have no idea if I will be successful.  My best case scenario would be to have enough vegetables to share.

Scott loves to build things so I asked him if he would build a couple of raised garden beds.  The lumber arrived on Monday and quickly passed through Blossom's inspection.  

Daniel Meets Aunt Ruby

From the incredibly vain file, I took this selfie on Friday because I thought I was having a really good hair day and I wanted to document it due to its rarity.   Do not adjust your screen; turns out it was just a regular hair day.

The Monday After

It's the Monday after Daylight Savings Time and I'm dragging.  Currently, I am sitting in the waiting room at the Sanger Heart and Vascular Clinic while my mom is having a stress test.  We were told to arrive at 7:30 a.m. which, today, feels like 6:30 a.m.  Wait....it really feels like 3:30 a.m.   I didn't get to sleep late on Sunday morning since I teach a class of 4 year olds at church.  (I would have played hooky if I could, just to get my hour back.)  To add to my sleepiness, Megan and I went to see John Crist at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center last night and I didn't get home until 11:00 pm. 

John was hilarious as always.  

Quiet Week

I'm currently enjoying a quiet week.  I just sat down from walking the dogs with Scott.  Before that, I spent part of my night playing Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune with Mom and Dad.  Clearly, no one would read a book or watch a reality show about my life!  

Here are a few photos from my week:  

BBQ at Jim N' Nick's on Saturday (technically that was last week but, I wanted to post these pictures for my memory.)

The Week In Review/Balto's Big Day

My week started off with an early Monday morning "Well Woman Visit" at the Gynecologist.  I'm so glad to have that over with for another year!  I love my Gynecologist; she is from Louisiana and the only person I've ever personally known with a genuine Cajun accent.  

I ordered Mom new shoes for her birthday.  After mulling over the two sizes for a very long time with no decision, I decided to order another size to throw in the mix which is now on the way.