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!  

 

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.  

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! 

July

I can't believe that it has been over 4 weeks since I posted!  Here are a few highlights from the month.  

I made mom's "famous" crispy chocolate chip cookies.  I know she would be so proud of me.  They were yummy! 

Blossom and Scott continued their love story:

Balto had a successful visit to the vet:

Daniel had super fun sleepovers at Papaw's house:

And shot off fireworks on the 4th:

Dad had another tooth pulled: 

Laura enjoyed church with me:

Daniel helped Uncle Scott:

Summer is going pretty well.  I've have enjoyed spending time with many of my friends.  I should have taken photos but I feel weird asking for pictures when I know they probably don't want to show up on my blog.  

Dad has some pretty good days and some days where he barely gets out of bed.  He keeps telling me that he wants the both of us to go on a cruise together.  Last night, he asked me to call and make the plans.  I really don't have the words to say about that.  I told him that I would look into it.  I'm glad he thinks he could go on a cruise but that really isn't possible for him. I can't begin to imagine how hard it would be to travel like that with Dad!  He struggles to walk to the mailbox!  If he were in better health I would LOVE to go on a trip with him.  If I could go back in time I would go on a girls' trip with Mom.  Before Mom passed, she told me to be sure and "go" while I could.  She said not to wait until I was too old like she was.  Mom had several places on her bucket list...Niagara Falls, Canada, and Alaska.  I told her I would do my best to travel for her. 

I miss Mom however I feel such peace knowing that she is with Jesus.  I went to CVS to pick up some prescriptions for Dad this week and the pharmacy technician told me that she hadn't seen me since Mom died.  She told me that she read Mom's obituary and cried.  Then she told me that she thinks of us often and wanted to know how Dad was doing.  I was so surprised.  

It's FriYAY and I am ready for the weekend.  Oops!  I forgot to post this.  It's Saturday and I'm so happy for the weekend!!!

Love Hurts

Monday morning started off a little rough this week.  Balto was so happy to see me after a long night of sleep that he busted my lip with his nose.  

Things are going well.  Rana arrived home safely from Syria tonight after visiting her mom for a month.  We missed her dearly but we are so thankful she was able to spend time with her family.  Kevin has had his hands full taking care of Laura, Daniel and helping me with Dad all month.  I'm sure no one is more happy that she is home than he is!  Here are a few pictures Rana sent me from her trip.  

Since I am so behind, I missed posting on Father's Day.  It was a really great day.  

After Mom died, I went through her drawers looking to find things to just feel close to her.  I found that Mom had a lot of really fun socks.  I can't believe I never paid attention to this!  I'm finding that wearing her socks is a fun way to feel a part of her with me.  Here are 2 of my favorites so far....

Butterflies.   Whenever I see butterflies now, I think of Mom. 

Sheep.  I wore these socks when I went to the Gynecologist of all places.  My Dr and her assistant couldn't stop talking about how cute they were.  They loved the idea of wearing Mom's socks to feel her with me.  

I found so many cute socks in her drawer.  I also plan on buying fun socks from now on as a fun tribute to Mom.  

Mom's hydrangea has been blooming in all of the colors this year.  I can't remember what color it was when we planted it but it is really showing off.  

How cool is that?  

Walking home after visiting Dad one afternoon, I found this lone mushroom.  Is it just me or do you think a little gnome lives here?  

If you read my blog at all, you know I have struggled with anxiety for my entire life.  I have had my share of counselors and therapists both good and sort of good.  I LOVE my current psychologist and plan on seeing her monthly until the end of time.  Over the years I have developed a phobia of having my blood pressure taken.  Dr K and I have decided to focus on EXPOSURE THERAPY to help me remain calm while I'm faced with the cuff.  I know it sounds absolutely ridiculous but I'm nervous just typing this.  I want to throw that monitor out the window and close all of the blinds.   The readings I get at home are usually excellent; it's the ones at the doctor's office that raise eyebrows.  White coat syndrome is real.  I'll update you on my journey and we can see if exposure therapy will work for me.  I have my doubts.....