I kind of liked that movie..."Pretty In Pink".  Anyway...

I braved the cold weather this morning (24 degrees) and made it to my diagnostic appointment early.  When I arrived, my sweet friend Sarah was sitting in the waiting room for me.  Oh how reassuring it was to look through the door and see her smiling face.  We spent 20 minutes laughing and catching up while I waited my turn.  

Monday Morning Call

Just this morning I looked at my calendar and thought, "Finally, a week without any doctor appointments".  Between taking my Dad and myself, I've had appointments every week for at least a month.  Spoiler alert: I was wrong.  

Weekend Wrap Up

In my mind, everyone (else) has very exciting weekends.  Scott and I did eat out Saturday night at Olive Garden for the first time in a few years.  (Eat your heart out Kim Kardashian.)  

Last summer, I bought a book for Daniel about Humphrey the hamster.  He used Humphrey for a school project.  

Imagine a World Without Can't

Those were the words on Daniel's t-shirt Monday.  I'm not sure if Daniel, with his nine years of life experience, can truly comprehend the meaning behind those words; I sure can.   

Friday night, I was doing laundry and anxiously thinking about all of the upcoming parental caretaking responsibilities on my calendar.  I felt overwhelmed and unqualified as I spoke out-loud the four powerful words I have repeated to myself since I was old enough to understand...."I can't do it".  Standing at my dryer, I heard a voice lovingly say, "You CAN and you will!"  In that very moment, God was speaking to me and I felt a clear infusion of His strength.  I know that I can't do this on my own but, 

I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength.  - Philippians 4:13 BSB

It was then that God open my eyes to see a very important truth that I have always been blind to.


Dad had a great follow up visit at the eye doctor yesterday.

Cadillac Surgery

I remember sitting by my Dad's hospital bed last year, wondering if he would ever go home again, when he told me that he needed Cataract surgery.  I smiled and agreed that he would need to get that done someday.  At that time, I didn't think we would ever see that day.  Today was that day.  

A Simple January Weekend

These two make me smile.

Pizza, Pizza

Laura had pizza at Mom and Dad's house Wednesday night.

Bad Boys, Bad Boys

As I was driving to work yesterday, I noticed a couple of Sheriff cars about a mile down the road from my house.  The cars were at different houses and the Deputies were speaking with some homeowners.  I assumed someone must have broken into their cars.  Fast forward a few hours and Mom called me at work to tell me that someone had been in her car, Kevin's car & Rana's car.  Dad's car was locked so it was left alone.  Unfortunately, they had broken into 2 locked storage rooms in my parents' garage.  

Lightbulbs and Other Randomness

I took this picture today (Sunday).  Daniel said, "I'm excited about my lightbulb".  Kids are weird.  Who am I kidding, everyone is weird.  

Christy's Big Night

My grandmother Helms was born in 1897 (some records say 1896 but, she said 1897).  I grew up next door to Grandma and spent many, many days at her house while my parents were at work.  Anyone who knew my grandmother knew not to bother her between the hours of 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm because she was in her chair watching CBS soap operas.  

We watched:

The Young and the Restless

Capitol (later switched to The Bold and the Beautiful)

As the World Turns

Guiding Light 

The Blessing of Ordinary Days

Nothing beats an ordinary day.

Tonight, I sat down beside Dad in his room and watched part of another Western with him.  I'm pretty sure Dad could watch Westerns 24/7.  He told me that he has seen them all before but, has forgotten most of the stories.  It's like he is watching brand new movies all over again.  

I stole a picture of Dad blessing the food as he and Mom sat down for a bowl of oyster stew and crackers.

Check out the original Corningware.  I bet you grew up with those bowls too.  

It's A Sunshine Day

Remember that Brady Bunch song?  Well, we finally saw the sun here in Carolina this weekend and it was glorious.  It was a beautiful weekend of sunshine and 68 degree temps.  We have also gained 17 minutes of sunshine at the end of the day.  The sun now sets at 5:27 p.m.  The earliest the sun set for us was 5:10 p.m. on December 6th.  

New Year

New Year's Day has come and gone and I'm back at work.  School is still out so I am enjoying having lighter traffic for my commute.  

Mom and I celebrated the first day of the year by going to Firebird's Wood Fired Grill for lunch.