Sunday Chat

 "Open your eyes to the beauty around you, open your mind to the wonders of life, open your heart to those who love you, and always be true to yourself." (Maya Angelou)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

 It's hard to believe we're already heading into the final stretch of August. It feels like 2025 just began, and now we're staring down the last few months of the year. The good news is the holiday season is just around the corner, and I'm really looking forward to it. There are a few surprises planned, which makes it even more exciting.

    It's been an emotional week. Wednesday, my mom had a biopsy on her back. While her main doctor was hoping to rule out TB, that test came back negative, so now we're waiting for the next round of results to come in. It's frustrating to be in a holding pattern, but it's a relief to know that the doctors are actively working on finding a solution. We're hoping for some answers soon. My mom is feeling better, but the pain is a persistent part of her journey. Still, she's focused on what's next and is ready to embrace a new, less painful chapter. She's a real trooper.

 

    Mike's still coming for Halloween, which is a relief. I was concerned he might have to cancel since his stepdad passed away peacefully last Saturday.

 

    His stepdad was so young, just 62, and had been struggling with his health all year. After a gallbladder removal, he developed a severe infection, and sadly, they discovered he had pancreatic cancer that was already spreading. The infection prevented him from receiving chemo, and he'd been in and out of the hospital since February. It's been an emotional and draining time for his mom and sisters, but they've all rallied together as a family to be by his side every day.

 

     Mike's been in a similar situation to mine, taking care of his mom who has a disability while also working. I told him we could wait until next year, but his family is pushing him to take a week off. After all his hard work, he deserves a break.

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

 

 

 

 

 

Back At It Again

 

"Challenges make you discover things about yourself that you never really knew. They're what make the instrument stretch -  what makes you go beyond the norm." (Cicely Tyson)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

  

    I know I promised a special something for the blog today, but I've got a little secret: it's continuing on Saturday. I'll have the full blog on Sunday for you all. 

 The refreshing break from the heat is over. After a glorious taste of cooler weather, summer is back with a vengeance. Yesterday, the temperature soared to 98 degrees, and it looks like it's here to stay.

 

    I'm ready to trade in my shorts for sweaters and my iced tea for a pumpkin spice latte. I can almost smell the crisp autumn air and hear the crunch of colorful leaves under my feet. And with the holidays just around the corner, that means I'll be back to writing full-time blogs soon!

 

   My mom's health journey continues with another chapter! Tomorrow, she's seeing her primary care doctor for a check-up. She's got a whole list of questions ready to go, trying to get to the bottom of all the new developments.

 

    It's been a bit of a rollercoaster lately with her MRIs. The first one suggested she had fractures in her spine, which meant she couldn't get the injections she needed. But then, after a specialist took a look and requested another MRI, the results came back with a twist: no fractures! Now it looks like the injections are back on the table.

 

     My mom is a trooper! She has a biopsy next month, and while it's all a bit much and the medical journey is getting long, she's taking it all in stride. She's completely focused on getting better and is ready to tackle whatever comes next.

 

 Before my mom's appointment on Friday, we're making another trip to the lab for more bloodwork. My mom loves to joke that with all the vials they've taken, she's surprised she hasn't run out of blood yet!

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

Time For A Change

 "Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained." (Marie Curie)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

 

    It has been a while since I’ve done this and I’m truly sorry to you all for that. There was a time the other week that I thought about stopping the blog after ten+ years of doing this. But then I thought about all the things you have been there with me for. My dad, grand parents, uncles, and Bella’s deaths. My health problems with the lumps I found. My mom’s issues, things with Scooter, and my sister. You all sharing things with all of us and us supporting each other as much as we can. How can I let that go? Simply, I can’t and I’m not going to. This little place we have together has been such a safe haven for me that I would miss you all too much. So, I’m not going anywhere. 

 

     It's been a really tough few months, and I feel completely overwhelmed. My mom's health struggles continue, and honestly, Kaiser hasn't been much help. It's incredibly frustrating and heartbreaking to see her in so much pain, a shadow of her former self. She has very limited mobility, and while I encourage her to try and do things for herself so she doesn't feel helpless, her efforts often create more work for me.

 

    Thankfully, she's finally scheduled to get some back injections at the end of this month. I'm really hoping there are no further postponements. On top of that, she's decided to look for new healthcare insurance, as Kaiser simply isn't meeting her needs.

 

     I trust everyone who celebrated the Fourth of July had a fantastic time. For us, the celebration was intense, lasting well into the next day. Our community is known for its widespread fireworks, and this year was no different—it felt like a thousand massive fireworks exploded within just three hours on the Fourth. My mom was particularly anxious, and with good reason. We've had close calls before, including a house in our community that burned down a few years ago. This year, a house in the neighboring community also went up in flames. We did everything we could to keep the little man safe and comfortable: sealing the windows, blasting the A/C, and turning up the TV volume.

 

 The morning after the Fourth of July, I woke up and went through my usual routine. I fed Scooter, but he just sniffed his food and walked away. Sometimes he does that, preferring to graze later, so I didn't think much of it. But then Saturday came and went with no interest in food or water. By Sunday, he still hadn't eaten or had a drink, and worse, he started having bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Despite this, the strange thing was he was still acting like his normal, energetic self — barking at squirrels and tearing around the yard.

 

    Sunday night was rough. Scooter's symptoms worsened, and I decided then and there that an emergency vet visit was necessary first thing Monday morning. A wave of dread washed over me as I remembered our last ER trip, waiting for hours for anal gland issues. This time, however, the waiting room was empty. They took Scooter in right away.

 

    The veterinary team ran a battery of tests: blood work, an ultrasound, and they even cleared his anal glands. We waited anxiously, but to our immense relief, all the results came back clear. A perfectly healthy dog, according to the tests. So, what was going on?

 

    The vet, after hearing our story, asked about the Fourth of July fireworks. I hadn't considered them a factor, but then it clicked: that was the last time Scooter had eaten or drunk anything. She theorized that the fireworks had completely freaked him out, causing him to shut down. They gave him some fluids and anti-nausea medication, and after a few hours, we took him home with prescriptions to stimulate his appetite and ease his stomach.

 

    Monday was much the same, with Scooter still not quite himself. But by Tuesday, there was a noticeable improvement. He was a bit weak from the lack of food and water, but he finally started eating and drinking again. Now, a week later, Scooter is back to his old self, full of energy and enjoying his meals. It was an expensive trip just to confirm he had a bad case of the jitters, but knowing he's otherwise healthy makes every penny worth it.

 

     That was everything in a nutshell. A crazy week with my mom and Scoots. I missed you all so much and will now be back into the swing of things here. Love you all! 

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

All Over the Place

"I need to live like that crooked tree --- that knelt down in the hardest winds but could not be blasted away." (Edward Hirsch)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

    Looks like our power decided to take a vacation! I'm currently rocking the lantern life because the entire neighborhood's been dark for a couple of hours now, and it seems like we've got a few more to go. No idea what happened, but it's a total blackout.

 

    The silver lining? The sun's finally down, and it's way cooler than the 92 degrees we had earlier. I've got the windows open, and there's a fantastic breeze blowing through. I even hopped in the shower to cool off!

 

    So, with a full laptop battery, what's the best thing to do? Chat with you ladies, of course!

 

     This week's been a real rollercoaster of emotions, and my mom is definitely feeling it. It's tough watching her try to adjust to her "new normal" – not being able to do all the things she used to. Can you imagine getting to a point in your life where your body just won't let you do what you want? It must be incredibly frustrating.    This week's been a real rollercoaster of emotions, and my mom is definitely feeling it. It's tough watching her try to adjust to her "new normal" – not being able to do all the things she used to. Can you imagine getting to a point in your life where your body just won't let you do what you want? It must be incredibly frustrating.

 

    Mom's always been fiercely independent, so asking for help doesn't come easy, but she's actually getting better at it! I've been trying to find little tasks for her that she can do while sitting, like folding laundry or packing up meat for the freezer. It helps her feel useful, and honestly, it helps me too.

 

     You know how it is with chronic pain – my mom was back at it on Monday, getting those knee treatments. I'm really hoping this helps ease some of her discomfort! She's got arthritis everywhere now, so she knows it's not going away completely, but even a little less pain would be amazing. Seriously, all I wish for is some peace for her. Then, tomorrow, she's headed back to Kaiser for more treatments, this time for her back. Let's send all the good vibes and hope it brings her some relief. 

 

     Wow, the heat is seriously cranking up here! We might even hit triple digits this weekend, which, ugh, you know how I feel about that.

 

My big project this year has definitely been the yard. I've been tackling it all by myself, but honestly, I think it's time to call in the cavalry (aka the lawn service!). I've done my part though: everything's cleaned up, the water's on, and now I'm just wrangling all the containers.

 

    Of course, I'm late to the party with my garden again this year, but I'm counting on those lettuces to pop up super fast. I might even have to grab a big tomato plant if I want any actual tomatoes this season! At least I know I'll have plenty of fresh lettuce and herbs, which is a win in my book.

 

    Anyone else out there getting their hands dirty with a garden this year?

 

 So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

So glad you stopped by! Wishing you the coziest morning/afternoon/evening ahead. Can't wait for our paths to cross again!

I Have Some Explaining To Do

 "Life is a road. You'll get over the potholes, even if you have to pull yourself out. Yes, those hills go up and down, but you'll always level out." (Author Unknown) 

 Hello, my lovely friends!

                                        
    It’s been quite a couple of weeks here. When I told you about how emotional things have been here oh it was going to get even more emotional.

    My mom’s pain has been hot and cold for her. She does what she can, but waiting for Kaiser to do anything is almost impossible. It upsets me that she just suffers now and they don’t want to do anything for her. It only happens when she emails them, but it should have to come to that.

    The two of us still butt heads, but I think we’ve come to an understanding because of the last disagreement we had. She was upset about my dad and we talked about it. Then out of the blue she just said he was having an affair with her sister when we were kids. WHAT?!?! She went into detail and then talked about another one at his job. She went into details about things she knew and just kept talking. The more she talked about it, the angrier she got and then upset.

    The two of us talked for hours and she told me a lot of things that I just couldn’t believe, but they made sense. You could see the pain in my mom’s face, but she also felt like huge weight was lifted from her/. We talked the whole day and she cried through most of it. That night I was in such shock with everything that I was upset, but never showed that in front of my mom. She has enough to go through. 

    That night in her bedroom she had me take down all his pictures and put them in a drawer in another room. She said she was done with the shrine to him. 

    The next morning she told me she doesn’t want to be buried with him. He couldn’t honor her so she doesn’t want an eternity with him. She want to go see him one more time and tell him how she feels and then no more. I guess I’ll go by myself when I want to see him. 

    The past week has been hard, she cries daily about it. She thinks she did something wrong and I told her it’s not about her, it was him. He did this. I’m not sure how I feel about everything. On one hand I’m so angry at him for doing this because what she’s going through. Her heart is so broken right now. Then it makes me so sad because its my dad and he was a great day, but a lousy husband. 

    My mom wants my sister to come out, but I have to tell her about it first. I’m not sure how she’ll take it, but I know it won’t be easy for her. We agreed that no one else in the family needs to know.

    The talk has now switch to she wants to move out of this house. She wants to be closer to my sister and has something that is hers without my dad attached to it. That makes me sad, but I get it. So while all that was happening my mom asked if I could tell Mike to postpone coming out in June until autumn. I told him and he was upset about it and then we got in a heated discussion about everything. That led to almost a week without talking. I just didn’t want to deal with it because I had so much going on with my mom. Finally we talked on Friday and now everything is good with us.

    So its been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks here. Some days I’ve been so exhausted from emotions that I can’t get anything done. So, again sorry for the lack of blogs this past week. I’ll be better. Thanks for letting me let that out.
                                            

A huge thank you for your lovely visit! Sending you all the cozy and delightful vibes for your morning/afternoon/evening. Until our stars align again!

A Little Chit Chat

 

 

"Rest but never quit. Even the sun has a sinking spell each evening. But it always rises the next morning. At sunrise, every soul is born again." (Anonymous)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

     I hope you all had a lovely Easter, however you chose to spend it. I was truly saddened to hear of the Pope's passing; I admired him greatly. We've been watching the special coverage about him and I plan to record the funeral service on Saturday to watch later.

 

     Our weekend was a real test of endurance and planning! Between two plays, Wrestlemania, and making time for Easter, our schedule was completely full. It's hard to believe we pulled it off, but despite the packed itinerary, we managed to have a lot of fun.

 

     We spent our Friday preparing a delicious Easter dinner, complete with homemade fried chicken, creamy mashed potatoes, and a delightful caramel apple no-bake cheesecake. This allowed us to enjoy a special meal without the rush and avoid having to buy dinner out both nights of the weekend.

 

     On Saturday, we attended a performance of "Gutenberg! The Musical!". It was a hilarious show with some delightfully cheeky moments. The intimate theater, which seats just 225, was a new experience for us. It felt much like a dinner playhouse, as drinks and snacks were served right to your seat throughout the performance. The entire cast consisted of just two talented men playing all the roles. I'm so glad we went; I found myself laughing out loud consistently throughout the play.

 

     Guess what I finally saw this Sunday? "The Wiz"! I've been counting down to this show since we got our season tickets. You guys know how much I adore anything connected to Oz – "The Wizard of Oz," "The Wiz," "Wicked," all of it! So, I had high hopes, and let me tell you, this production knocked it out of the park. It was just amazing! The whole cast was fantastic, but the Scarecrow totally stole my heart; his voice was out of this world good. Seriously, the acting, the dancing, the singing – everything was absolutely first-class. We went on the very last day, and my mom was bummed she couldn't see it again, which tells you how good it was! It was also really sweet seeing all the little ones dressed up in their Easter best. If "The Wiz" tours near you, promise me you'll go! You won't regret it – it's pure joy and you'll definitely leave with a huge smile.

 

    Looking forward to the beautiful weather this week! I'm planning to take advantage of it by getting out in the front yard – the grass needs a cut, and I need to get some weed and feed down to battle these persistent dandelions. We also finally received our new compost bin from the city, which is fantastic for handling all the yard clippings and such.

 

    Still working through spring cleaning, though I definitely feel like I'm the main one chipping away at it!

 

    Shifting topics a bit, Mom is exploring the possibility of getting her knee surgery done relatively soon. We're really hoping that helps alleviate some of her pain. She also has some health goals she's working towards – specifically getting her numbers lower and losing some weight – which is necessary before she can resume her back treatments.

 

    Keeping busy with everything happening! What's new with all of you?

 

 Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope your morning/afternoon/evening is extra cozy and delightful. Until our paths cross again!

Miss You Everyday Daddy

 

Well That Was Unexpected

 "There are things that we never want to let go of, people we never want to leave behind. But keep in mind that letting go isn’t the end of the world, it’s the beginning of a new life." (Anonymous)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

 

     I've been in a bit of a wrestling match with a cold for the past few days, but I think I'm finally pinning it down! Yesterday was a bit of a blur thanks to the cold medicine (you know how that goes for me!), so I spent a good chunk of the day in a cozy, sleepy haze. I was trying to play detective and figure out how this sneaky little cold snuck in, and then BAM! It hit me. The dentist trip we had on Monday. While Mom was getting her pearly whites taken care of, there was someone in the waiting room putting on a truly impressive (and slightly terrifying!) coughing concert. I bet that's where this unwelcome guest decided to set up shop!

 

     On Thursday I could feel something trying to creep in and decide to run to the store and get some things for a weekend of fighting a cold. I’m going to rest today as well, we’ve been watching all the Biblical movies this past week. Tonight we’re going to watch “Ben Hur”, my mom even has Mike watching it with us. 

    Oh my goodness, the weather here in Denver has been keeping us on our toes! It feels like Mother Nature can't quite decide what season it is. Just last weekend, we were bundled up with snow, and then BAM! Yesterday, we were basking in a record-breaking 86-degree heatwave! And guess what? There's a chance of snow again on Monday. Talk about a rollercoaster! That's just springtime in the Rockies for you – always full of surprises! We did manage to sneak in a few glorious days of open windows and fresh air though, which was absolutely wonderful.

 

    Tomorrow marks the eighth anniversary of losing my dad. It's hard to believe it's been that long – it honestly feels like just yesterday. You know how it is, you can't help but think about all the moments and milestones he's missed. My mom's been feeling it extra hard lately, and I'm sure the approaching date has a lot to do with that.

 

    I was talking to a friend recently who lost his mom back in October, and he asked that big question: does it ever get easier? It's such a tricky thing to answer, isn't it? I told him it's a yes and no kind of thing. Some days you're okay, and then out of nowhere, it can just hit you, and you're right back in that moment. Sending love to everyone who understands this feeling.

 

     Keeping my fingers crossed that I'll be feeling top-notch soon! We've got such an exciting week ahead with two plays and, get this, Wrestlemania! Hope your Sunday is a good one!

 

Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope your morning/afternoon/evening is extra cozy and delightful. Until our paths cross again!

Need To Figure It Out

"Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you; they're supposed to help you discover who you are." (Bernice Johnson Reagon)

 

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

     So, you might've noticed I've been a bit in and out lately, and I wanted to touch base about it. Huge apologies for the blog silence – things have been a little whirlwind-y on my end.

 

    On the home front, Mom's still dealing with pain, but thankfully, we're seeing more good days than before! It's been a journey. Honestly, the biggest headache has been navigating Kaiser; it feels like she's been getting bounced around a bit. The one bright spot has been her kidney doctor – even though he's out of network, he's been a real lifesaver.

 

    All this pain has really taken a toll on her overall health. Her blood sugar's been up and down, and her A1C is higher than we'd like. They've been adjusting her meds, trying to find the right balance. She's off Metformin now, and her insulin dose has been increased. Unfortunately, they can't move forward with her back treatment until her numbers come down.

 

     It's been rough seeing Mom go through this, and honestly, it's been dragging me down too. Her moods have been all over the place, and lately, it feels like anger is the default setting. We've been butting heads a lot, and it's just wearing me out. Nighttime has become my refuge, those moments catching a movie and just chilling with Mike after a chaotic day. Having him around this past week while he was on vacation was such a relief.

 

     And speaking of Mike, it's wild – we've had this connection for a year now. We're actually planning to meet up this summer and see what happens. It's the strangest, most wonderful thing to feel this kind of bond with someone.

  

    You know, by the time evening rolls around, all I crave is sinking into the couch with a movie and Mike's company. It's funny 'cause even though it's snowing right now, I can feel that warmer weather just around the corner, and with it, I know there'll be more ways for me to unwind. I'm really looking forward to getting my hands in the garden again and taking Scoots on some longer walks, just the two of us. I just need to get a better handle on my time and stress levels, you know? I also have this feeling that if I actually made time to blog, it would be a great outlet.

    So, yeah, I'm making a promise to myself to be more present here and get some better blog posts up. My sister's been on my case, telling me it's time I got a little "selfish" and actually focused on what I need for a change.

Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope your morning/afternoon/evening is extra cozy and delightful. Until our paths cross again!

 

Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope your morning/afternoon/evening is extra cozy and delightful. Until our paths cross again!

Honoring My Dad on His Birthday

 

 “In the grief of losing someone,
Why do I feel like the lost one?”
(Terri Guillemets)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

    Tomorrow would have been my dad’s 80th birthday. I thought I;d share some more crazy things about my dad.

 

1. When I was five I went Christmas shopping with my mom and I really wanted to get my dad a basketball, not because he played just because. All the way she kept telling me not to tell my dad and I said okay. Well, we got home and I told my dad we got him something but I can’t tell him what it is. I did tell him its round, orange and goes bouncy bouncy. 

2. Every time we would finish dinner my dad would say all that was missing was chocolate cake. He did this for years. One day while grocery shopping with my mom she bought a chocolate cake and hid it in the pantry. When dinner was finished that night he did his usually saying all that was missing was chocolate cake. I ran to the pantry and got the cake and we all had a big laugh about it. 

3. He had season tickets for the Denver Broncos and would always take a friend, my mom, his brothers or my sister to the games. When I was five I wanted to go so bad and he decided to take me. I’m not fan of football and still not. Through the whole game I was reading a book and then when the hot dog guy came I didn’t want one, but when he left I wanted one. I did the same thing with peanuts. Well, that was the first and last time I went to a game. 

4. As kids we collected pop cans and my dad would take us to recycle them twice a year, Christmas and 4th of July. We would split the amount and go buy fireworks. I would get the bag with mixed fireworks and there was always the ones you could put in cigarettes to make them explode. My dad smoked and I would always put them in. One time he was watching a horror movie and it went off and scared everyone.

5. When my oldest nephew was born my dad decided to stop smoking and did so quietly. A month passed and no one realized what he did. One day he asked all of us if we noticed anything different about him. We’re all looking at him and nothing clicked with us and when he told us we were shocked. He never smoked a cigarette again. 

6. When I was in second grade our school was going on a field trip to Casa Bonita on St. Patrick’s Day. I came home from school and asked my dad if he wanted to go to Casa Bonita for his birthday and he said yes and thought nothing more of it. Days before his birthday I let hi know what time to be at school and he was puzzled. Being in second grade I failed to tell him he volunteer to be a parent chaperone for our field trip. On the bus trip there I informed everyone it was his birthday and we sang to him. 

 

Thank you so much for stopping by! Hope your morning/afternoon/evening is extra cozy and delightful. Until our paths cross again!

   

Well That Was Something Else...

 "The inward journey is about finding your own fullness, something that no one else can take away." (Deepak Chopra)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

    I've been MIA for a few days, felled by a nasty cold. It definitely threw a wrench into things, especially caring for Mom, but we weathered the storm. It was a short but intense bout of crud, but I'm finally back on my feet.

 

     Remember those winters? The ones where snow piled high and the air bit with a delicious, frosty edge? For a few years, we'd almost forgotten what a real winter felt like, basking in unseasonably mild temperatures. But winter's back, baby! And honestly? I'm kind of thrilled. Especially from the cozy vantage point of my warm house. I know, I know, many of us are bundled up and braving the chill, but think of it this way: every snowflake that falls is one step closer to spring. We'll get through this, together, one chilly breath at a time. Sunshine and daffodils are just over the horizon.

 

    Valentine's Day was bittersweet this year. I wanted to make it special for my mom, who's been missing my dad terribly. I surprised her with flowers and chocolates, and we spent the day and evening cuddled up watching movies. It was a small gesture, but I hoped it brightened her day a little.

 

     The added stress of a jury summons hasn't helped. A few weeks ago, I received one and honestly panicked. With Mom struggling so much – she's barely even making it downstairs anymore – there's no way I can leave her. I've been bringing all her meals upstairs, and we've been having dinner together in her room. It's a lot of running up and down, but it's better than her trying to navigate the stairs in her condition.

 

     So, I filled out the caregiver exemption form and sent it to Kaiser last Monday. They said it would take a few days to process, which was cutting it close since my summons was for today. You only have a week to respond, and by Thursday, I was starting to get really anxious. Friday came and went, and still no word from Kaiser. I'm on pins and needles, hoping they come through.

 

     My quest for this elusive document began on Monday with a phone call, a week after my initial request. "Where is it?" I'd asked, only to discover it had been languishing at the front desk, unknown even to her doctor. Rage simmered. They promised a nurse's call that never came.

 

    Tuesday, I took matters into my own hands, emailing her doctor directly. Within minutes, a helpful voice was on the line, promising the paperwork within the hour. Hope flickered. Two hours later, I arrived, only to find…nothing. Not only that, but her doctor had left for the day, requiring a frantic call for approval and a stand-in signature. My courthouse deadline loomed, then vanished with the closing bell. Dejected, I plotted a Wednesday morning assault, the day before my reporting deadline. Dismissal seemed impossible.

 

    Wednesday dawned, and I marched into the deserted office, a ghost town. At the front desk, I recounted my week-long odyssey. The receptionist, bless her soul, efficiently processed the paperwork, confirmed my number, and uttered the magic words: "You're dismissed." Five minutes. Five minutes after a week of frustration. The irony stung, but the relief washed over me in a tidal wave. My bureaucratic Everest, conquered in a sprint.

 

     A wave of relief washed over me. I'd checked the draft call numbers, and mine was up. The thought of leaving Mom alone, though...it was impossible. Bringing her wasn't an option either; her pain made sitting through anything unbearable. I was stuck. Then, the best news: postponement until April! Even better, Mom suggested I get the paperwork signed declaring me her sole caregiver. That would mean a lifetime deferment. Perfect. It solved everything.

 

    Now, I can finally relax. And just in time, too—it's snowing again! I'm so grateful I don't have to venture out into that white flurry. Instead, I'll curl up inside and enjoy the winter wonderland from the warmth of my window.

 

 Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

It's Been One of Those Weeks

  "Over and over again, we lose sight of what is important and what isn't. We crave things over which we have no control, and not satisfied by the things within our control. We need to regularly stop and take stock; to sit down and determine within ourselves which things are worth valuing and which things are not." (Epictetus)

 

 Hello, my lovely friends!

    It's so late, the only other living things awake are me, the crickets, and the characters on this screen. We're having a party. A very quiet, mostly-me-eating-popcorn party. 

    So, the other day, a bunch of us online were reminiscing about "Selena," and it totally triggered this hilarious memory. My nephew Kyle was obsessed with that movie when he was little. I swear, it was the only thing that existed in his world. My dad, bless his heart, would try anything to steer him towards a different cinematic experience. "Kyle, how about we watch...I don't know... anything other than Selena?" he'd plead. But inevitably, we'd walk into the family room, and there it would be: Selena on repeat, either the movie itself or her concert footage. It didn't matter what my dad suggested, Selena always won. The image of his slightly exasperated face next to Kyle, eyes glued to the screen, still cracks me up. It was a daily battle, and Selena reigned supreme.

 

    Whew, the last couple of weeks have been a ride with my mom. Remember that time her leg pain flared up so bad we were doing a midnight dash to the ER? Yeah, well, that little beast decided to make a comeback, and this time it brought friends. Seriously, this has been the Mount Everest of leg pain. Things got so intense, she's now supplementing her pain meds with...marijuana gummies. Let's just say things got interesting. Thankfully, Thursday marked the turning of the tide. She's still got some ouch, but she's about 90% better than peak-pain, which, let me tell you, was a sight to behold (and not in a good way.

    My mom's body has apparently declared war on her. It's not pretty. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind of trying to manage her pain, keep the house from looking like a biohazard zone, and, you know, remember basic things like laundry. Which, clearly, I failed at. Hence, me at midnight, communing with the washing machine. At least I'm getting something done, right? Silver linings and all that.

 

     It's weird, seeing the tables turn. One minute she's nagging me about my questionable life choices, the next I'm the one making sure she's comfortable. It's frustrating sometimes, sure, but honestly? I wouldn't trade it. I can't imagine anyone else doing this right now. Who knows what the future holds, but for now, we're taking it one step at a time, and Mom's still calling the shots as much as she can. Which, let's be real, is probably for the best. She's still got opinions.

 

 Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!

It Was a Good Visit

 "Have a good time. Life is too short to get bogged down and be discouraged. You have to keep moving. You have to keep going. Put one foot in front of the other, smile and just keep on rolling." (Kobe Bryant)

 

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

 

    It’s been a busy week over here with company here, but it wasn’t all fun and games. This was a serious we need to do things visit with my sister and BIL. 

 

    There was some business with my mom’s will. She was changing it over to a trust for me and also a way to protect the house. So, my BIL was here to help her out with that. Then she had to start looking for a new car. The three of them went out even while it was snowing to look for one. She is barrowing it down to a couple now. I think my sister is coming out in a month to help out some more with everything. 

 

    It was a busy few days with them, but we got a lot done. Unfortunately, it took a lot out of my mom and now she’s paying for it. She has this pain going down the left side of her leg that is doubling her over. It’s been so hard on her and she can barely walk without it hitting her. She was apologizing the other day saying she didn’t think I’d have to turn into the full-time caregiver so soon.  

 

    It has been a busy and sometime upsetting couple of days. I know these are things that have to be done with my mom’s age and health not so good, but it just gets upsetting to have to hear about it.  

 

    It’s been a crazy emotional week, but now we can get back to normal this weekend. So, how’s everything going with you all? 

 

Thank you for stopping by! Wishing you a day/evening/morning filled with sunshine, laughter, and perhaps a little bit of magic. Until next time, ta-ta for now!