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.