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.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy day after Thanksgiving Day.  I hope everyone had a day of good food and lots of thankfulness.  The heart of my family is no longer with us physically but due to the way she raised us we were able to move forward and have a great day.  I thought I had forgotten my phone so I didn't get any pictures to show you.  

Last week, Deanna and I visited UNC Charlotte to do a little Christmas shopping for the kids.  

I was so surprised at how large the campus had grown!  We had a great time exploring the grounds and seeing how beautiful it had become.  Sometimes it seems like I might be the only one I know who didn't graduate from UNCC.  

While working with Laura, I found out she had a surprising new school I didn't know about.  

What a glorious surprise!  Rana met with Laura's teachers for her IEP meeting this week and she has met all of her goals this semester.  How exciting; we are so proud! 

Wednesday, I received an email from Gaulden Monuments that the cemetery marker for Mom (and Dad) is in and will be placed on Tuesday.  I feel excited and nervous.  I'm just not sure that the design is exactly what I wanted.  On the rendering, it wasn't how I had pictured it in my head.  I hope that I love it.  I hope that it looks ok.  There will be pictures next week.  

4 weeks until Christmas, here we go!  

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.  

Wish You Were Here

Today is my birthday.  I didn't know it would be so hard.  I expected it to be like every other day....it wasn't.  I woke up remembering how Mom always called me early on my birthday, eager to either sing or just cheer "Happy Birthday!"  I realized today that it was always a special day for her as well.  Mom loved birthdays and wanted to go out of her way to make us feel special.  Even though she grew up very poor, her family went out of their way to make birthdays an important time of celebration.  Cake and presents were required.  

I feel like part of me must have thought Mom would "show up" on my birthday somehow.  I know she would have moved heaven and earth to be with me today if she could have.  I guess she couldn't; she really is gone.    

On a much happier note, my Aunt Zell surprised me this week with a special birthday lunch.  I can't believe I didn't suspect a thing!  I thought we were just meeting for lunch but when we were seated at a table with a beautiful flower arrangement and card.  It meant the world to me.  She told me that my Uncle Coy was in on the plan as well.  I can't tell you how much I love my family.  

Life isn't easy but I sure am blessed.  

Truckin' Along

In the words of Dave Matthews..."So much to say, so much to say, so much to say, so much to say..."

I'm doing well.  I've had some health "stuff".  I will share more about that later; I'm fine, just going to do my best to reverse my diagnosis as best as I can (if possible).  Dad spent all of last weekend in the Waxhaw Emergency Department.  I'm on my 6th (out of 13) week of GriefShare.  I am on my 3rd week of working with a Dietitian.  Blossom is still hanging tough.   

Blessed.  Even with all of the uncertainty and the tough issues, I am blessed.  

Dad watching the Panthers' game last Sunday.  We have a doctor's appointment tomorrow.  

No matter what, Blossom has to be touching Scott.  

Thankfully I noticed a Black Widow Spider living under the lid to my garbage can before I opened it.

 

I now have a slight phobia of taking the trash outside.  I'm pretty sure it will stay with me from now on.  

Here's to a good week!  I plan to get back on track with my blogging very soon.  

Still Summer

Having just come home from watching baseball with Dad, I am now enjoying a summer afternoon sipping lemonade under the ceiling fan on the porch.  Life is good.  

Over the past 2 weeks I have received good reports from my retina doctor and my GP doctor.  I also began attending a Griefshare support group that I adore.  If that wasn't enough, Kevin and I finally ordered the gravestone for Mom (and Dad).  I am so thankful that my brother and I make a good team.  

Fun "About Me" Questions:  

1.  Are you a morning or night person?

Me:  Definitely Night.  

2.  Are you afraid of the dark?

Me:  Yes & No.  Depends on where I am.  I'm not afraid of the dark inside my home. 

3.  Extrovert or Introvert?

Me:  Definitely an Introvert!

4.  Did you ever participate in a talent show?  

Me:  Yes, having NO dance experience, I made up my own dances in the 3rd and 4th grades and danced in front of the entire school.  NO JOKE!  In the 3rd grade, I made up a dance to Freeze Frame by the J. Geils Band and in the 4th grade, it was Separate Ways by Journey.  I even had to audition before I could perform.  Oh how I'd love to see videos of those performances as I can't imagine what on earth they were like!  I'm sure no one would have ever guessed that I did that!!!

5.  What are your favorite movies? 

Me:  I no longer have one favorite movie.  I do love Leap Year, Catch and Release and Sweet Home Alabama is super cute.   I love Hope Floats and most any of the Jane Austen movies. Those are my go-to "comfort" movies.  

6.  Favorite TV shows? 

Me:  Right now it is Ted Lasso.  I love that show so much.  The language is so very rough compared to anything I ever watch but the series is so heartwarming and funny.  I will be so sad when the season is over.  I don't watch a lot of TV other than what you already know....Golden Girls, King of Queens, Reba.  I'll pick old reruns any day.  I did really get into Virgin River this summer.  Unfortunately, season 4 is a long way off.   Scott and I share a common taste of sitcoms and we have always loved to watch Keeping Up Appearances and Mr Bean too.  We do not share the same taste in movies....at all.  

Speaking of Scott, we celebrated 23 years married last Sunday.   He said something interesting the other day.  We were discussing how hard it is to take care of Blossom and how much time Scott spends working with her.  He told me that when he starts to become sad about it, he remembers that God put us in charge of taking care of all of his creation.  He said that when he looks at taking care of Blossom as something God wants him to do, it isn't so bad.  He feels that it is something he can do to glorify God.  

Have a great week! 

August Rush

None days ago, Laura and I were enjoying a leisurely Saturday afternoon outside when Daniel accidentally stirred up a yellow jacket nest while playing with the water hose.  Laura was stung at least 3 times.  Did I mention that one of those times was on the lip? 

After breaking out in hives, Kevin and I knew it was time to head to the ER.  Rana met them there and sent this picture.  Our sweet Laura never complained, instead she smiled and asked for "macaroni and cheese".  

Scott and I had some work done in our back yard on Monday.  The workers stirred up a yellow jacket nest and were stung as well.  While digging around a day later, Balto was attacked by the angry mob.  I looked up and he was running toward me wearing a "jacket" of about 15 yellow jackets on his back.  Long story short....we made a trip to the vet for a Benadryl shot.  

Scott decided that he wasn't taking any chances when it comes to his dogs.  He ordered a bee suit and went nest hunting today.  

Thankfully, Laura had something to celebrate soon after her visit to the ER.  Two years ago, Laura's seizure doctor nominated her to Make-A-Wish.  There is no place Laura loves more than the beach so she received a wish to go to Key Largo for the week.  Here are some photos that Rana sent to me from the trip.  

She was treated to a pedicure and manicure.  Judging by the photos she really enjoyed having her nails done.  What a happy surprise!  I would have never guessed that she would enjoy this but I will remember for the future...  

Both Kevin and Laura celebrated birthdays during this trip.  Laura is now 15 years old.  What a beautiful gift she is!  I look forward to hearing all about their trip when they return tonight.  

With Kevin's family out of town for 8 days, I had Dad to myself.  Here's a picture of him on the phone with his brother Skee (Henry).  Uncle Skee is 98 years old this month.  

I hope you have a wonderful week!