Since I haven't posted in a while, I am going to post some recent photos from my phone.  

Kevin and I took Daniel and Laura to visit The Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens: 

Sweet Laura

Kevin's family on Father's Day

My dear cousin, Annette

Aunt Zell and Buddy took me for a ride on their golf cart

Dad turned 87

Daniel turned 13

Laura completed another year with the Mitey Riders

Proud Dad 

Blossom was unable to move off of the couch by herself on her last days.  Scott bought an air mattress and slept beside her ever night.  

Our sweet baby Balto

Next post:  Whatever happened to Not Mom and Dad's Cat?  

March Madness

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!  

 

Bread and Milk

It is snowing here tonight and for the third weekend in a row, I broke out my "bread and milk" socks.  For those who don't know, we rarely ever see snow in Charlotte.  It is a well known phenomena that when winter weather is forecasted, southerners clear the grocery stores shelves of bread and milk.  I guess we think that if we get snowed in, we can have milk sandwiches.  I'm so over this cold weather and I'm ready for spring to arrive!  

It has been quite a January.  Dad spent 11 days in the hospital for a UTI and then a heart procedure.  He is doing MUCH better; however, he is still pretty weak.  Thankfully he was given a room in a brand new 7 story hospital tower.  It had been open for less than a month.  The room was huge and even had a pull out bed.  If you have to stay at the hospital, you might as well stay in comfort.  

After waiting for 7 weeks, (hospital visit and then his stylist had Covid) Dad was so excited to finally get a haircut.  

I bought some new flowers for Mom's grave.  These didn't look as good as the last ones but they are strong enough to get through this wintery weather.  I have ordered a custom bouquet for the spring and can't wait to see them.  Life comes at you fast.  I had no idea this time last year that I'd be so excited over buying flowers for my mom's grave.  

My sweet Aunt Bobbie passed away this month.  Aunt Bobbie was married to my Dad's brother, Coy, for 69 years.  I didn't get to see her very much but we spent a lot of time corresponding via email over the years. She was always so encouraging and also a wealth of knowledge too!  I will love and miss her always. 

Dad told me that when Uncle Coy first saw Aunt Bobbie, he took one look at her and said he was going to marry that girl before he had even met her.  The rest is history.....

Love always.  

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!  

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.  

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!