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.  

Time Flies

I can't believe how fast time seems to be passing.  Tomorrow, I begin my 8th week of working at home.  There are so many things that I love about working from home: sleeping late, not taking a bath, wearing pj's all day, not washing my hair, being with my dogs all day....  There are also things I can't wait to get away from.  Work.  I can't wait to get away from work.  Every time I pass my home office these days, I'm reminded of work that needs to be done.  Last week, I needed to use the high volume copier/scanner at the office so I went in for 3 days. It was glorious.  I so enjoyed leaving work behind and looking forward to getting back home.  It felt a little apocalyptic to be at the office after so many weeks.  All of my calendars were still set on March and full of appointments and events that never came to pass.  

Scott had to take 2 weeks of his vacation time and then was furloughed for 2 weeks from his job at Charlotte Radiology.  He starts work again tomorrow.  Contrary to the backups we've heard about on the news, Scott easily filed for unemployment online and received his first deposit in less than a week.   

Here's a quick recap of the past few weeks:  

I had a problem with squirrels jumping on my bird feeder.  Moving the feeder and waxing the baffle have taken care of that 100%.  

Daniel turned 11.  We celebrated with an outdoor pizza & cake party.

Next up... Dad.  Thursday, Dad turned 85.  We celebrated with Five Guys.

Dad checking his birthday wishes on Facebook. 

Dad sporting a button that says "My Daughter is #1".

Blossom has been struggling lately.  She clearly doesn't feel her back, left leg.  She walks like she is intoxicated and drags her foot.  It is hard for her to sit down and often, her legs get twisted up behind her. Thankfully, she is still able to walk, run & climb stairs.  Last night, when we got home from our walk and took her bootie off, her nail had rubbed raw and was bleeding inside of her bootie.   These are all symptoms that we knew in our heads were coming but we hoped in our heart wouldn't.  

She always has to be touching Scott.  :-)

Last Saturday, I was sitting on the front steps with Balto when he took off running after the neighbor's dog.  Their dog does not have a fence and I guess Balto heard her go outside.  I chased after him at full speed and landed on the concrete with my hands, knees and chin.  I thought I had broken my jaw as it was very painful and wouldn't close.  Due to Covid-19, I was too afraid to go to the ER.  Thankfully, it was much better the next day. Other than a few scrapes and bruises, I was feeling better after a few days.  

That brings me to today.  Today we had a wonderful treat.  My super amazing friend, Miranda, made a pound cake for my Dad.  She dropped by with her dog, Dori, and said hello.  Thank you so much Miranda! And Dori!  XOXO

Dad is wearing a new shirt that Kevin's family gave him for his birthday.

I washed and styled mom's hair today.  I did a better job than last time.  For the first time in her life, her white hair is growing out.  I covered it up with (a lot of) ColorWow powder and I think it looks pretty good!  

Here's mine:

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.  

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!  

Happy Birthday Rana!

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday.  Happy Birthday Rana!  She turned 25...(many years ago).  For Dad's birthday, Friday night, Rana fixed his favorite Syrian dinner.  I have no idea how to spell it.  We'll call it chicken, hamburger, rice, peas & carrots.  Next, Dad opened his presents..

It was easy for him because he had a couple of very good helpers:

Rana even made bought a cake for Dad

Daniel had a piece.  Can you tell?  He loved it. 

He's very happy that it is Papaw's birthday

I think Dad liked his cake 

Hey, where's mom?  She gets to be the center of attention next week - Mother's Day. 

Let me find a picture of Rana

And finally, Scott

Hey....there's no picture of Kevin.  Wait, here he is....

Last night, we all went to the Olive Garden for Rana's birthday.  We had a great time.  Before we went, we decided to set up the tripod and take some family photos.  We didn't have any photos of the entire family!  Well, I can say that some of the photos didn't turn out great because of operator error.  We didn't have the tripod all of the way up.  Here are just a few....

We actually took a lot of pictures but I think three is probably more than enough for one post!  Why we have never done this before, I don't know.

This afternoon we had some sort of strawberry cake for Rana and she opened her presents.  My apologies to Rana for not bringing my camera!!!  Rana is probably very glad as she isn't a fan of seeing herself in pictures.  :-)    Frankly, family birthweek has worn me out!

OK....next post I will tell you about the bird that put a nest in my flower pot.  Have a great day!

Happy Birthday Dad!

My Dad turns 75 today.   Happy Birthday Daddy!  

Isn't our little high school graduate just the cutest?  Here's one of my favorite pictures of the two of us: 

Fast forward a few years and here we are again...

Maybe I should add a picture of my brother. 

Look how sharply dressed they were.  Mom looks like Donna Reed.  BTW, there are many more baby pictures of my brother than me; I was a product of that second child syndrome.  Here's one more of Dad and Kevin:

Dad is rocking those socks isn't he?   

Today I took the day off from work and rode to Salisbury with Mom and Dad to visit my Aunt Jean and Uncle Dick.  Aunt Jean is one of Dad's sisters.  Here is a picture of Dad and Aunt Jean. 

Isn't she beautiful?

Here he is with Uncle Dick

Mom and Aunt Jean

Finally, here's a picture of Dad and all of his brothers and sisters.  This picture was taken in 1991.  

Oh and Grandma is in the middle. 

I'll post more about them and their wonderful spouses later.  I have the best Aunts and Uncles in the world!  Well, this is going to be a busy blogging weekend. Tonight we are going to Rana's to celebrate Dad's birthday. Then, tomorrow is Rana's birthday.
See you soon!