Cozy Crisp Days, Pumpkin Soups, and Little Wins

 "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." (Arthur Ashe)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!

    It never fails—the moment Fall officially arrives, our weather changes in a absolute snap. Just over a week ago I was complaining about ninety-degree days, and now we’re floating around in rainy sixties. I’m loving every single bit of it. We’re still in a serious drought around here, so this steady rain has been such a welcomed sight. I’m crossing my fingers that this means we’ll actually get a decent winter with some good snow this year to give the land a break.

We had such a fun week getting out of the house and doing a few Fall things. My mom isn’t really into going out much these days because of her pain—she loves to remind me she’s pushing eighty now and getting around is tough—but every so often she really enjoys it. Last week we managed to get her out for a couple of quick stops. She needed to swing by the bank, and then we hit up Hobby Lobby. She had way too much fun in there, picking out some cute things for Fall and Christmas that I’ll show you later this week. It felt so good to see her out and walking around a bit, using her wheeled walker so she could take a seat whenever she needed a rest.

We actually had plans to go to our garden center’s Fall Festival on Saturday, and I even rescheduled the Twilight Zone marathon I usually host on Twitter to Sunday just to make room for it. But then we realized we’re heading back there next Saturday anyway for their pumpkin weigh-in contest, so we decided to skip the festival and save our energy. Since my Saturday opened up, I still wanted to do something cozy. I remembered it was the very last weekend for our local Farmers Market, so Mike and I hopped in the car and went down. It was absolute perfection outside—not too hot, with just the right cool breeze. I managed to score two full bags of fresh veggies, though you could tell even our local farmers had a rough season with the drought. It breaks my heart seeing how hard it hit the state this year, so here's hoping a heavy winter snow helps us bounce back next spring.

After the market, we popped into World Market so I could hunt down that Pumpkin Ginger soup I fell in love with last year. Success! I also grabbed a few extra treats while we were there: a little coffee syrup sampler packed with autumn flavors, some fun pasta, and a couple of Asian snacks. It was such a good, quiet day out, and honestly, my mom was thrilled to just stay home and have  time with Scoots.

Now we're officially wrapping things up for the season. Our lawn guy did his final mow and is coming back tomorrow to blow out the sprinklers, right on time for three straight days of rain. My garden is still trying its best, though. I have one stubborn tomato plant loaded up with fruit that's finally turning red, and my bell pepper plant randomly woke up and started growing again, even though I know nothing will probably come of it. I definitely need a better game plan for next year so I can start earlier instead of scrambling at the last minute and coming up empty.

All in all, it feels so nice to finally slow down, lean into the chill in the air, and watch the season shift around us. How is the weather holding up where you are—are you already wrapped in sweaters, or are you still waiting on that Fall crispness to hit?

Thank you for sharing a moment of your day with me. I hope the hours ahead treat you kindly and bring you a sense of comfort. Warm wishes, and see you next time!

Can It Be Fall Now?

“By all these lovely tokens, September days are here, with summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer.” —(Helen Hunt Jackson)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    The calendar says September, and honest to goodness, my brain completely checked out of summer the second the page turned. Even though it is still pushing nineties outside and the pavement is hot enough to melt your shoes, my soul is fully wrapped up in a chunky sweater. You know that tiny shift in the air that happens right around now? It is hard to describe, but the light hits a little differently in the evening and the morning breeze has this crisp, sweet smell to it that whispers fall is on the way. I know I am jumping the gun, but I just cannot help myself this year. I am so ready for the cozy season, the pumpkin everything, and just a totally different energy around the house.

Speaking of fall energy, I have been turning over my holiday blog plans for weeks now, trying to figure out when to pull the trigger. I finally decided that the very first official day of autumn is going to be our kickoff. I am feeling this unexpected surge of motivation to really go all out for the holidays this time around, and a big part of that is having Mike here with us. He did not grow up with the kind of big, warm, cozy holiday traditions a lot of us take for granted. For him, Christmas was usually just a quick handoff of a gift card and a quiet afternoon, which breaks my heart a little bit. We want to completely turn that around and show him how fun and full of love this time of year can actually be. He is obsessed with all things spooky, horror, and Halloween, so the next two months are going to be a absolute blast in this house. Honestly, after feeling like we have been stuck in a weirdly heavy rut for the past couple of years, this feels like the exact spark we needed to pull us out of it and get us excited about life again.

On a heavier note, we finally drew a firm line in the sand with my mom and all the medical runaround she has been dealing with through Kaiser. Last week was just the final straw. She went in for that biopsy, but they ended up canceling the whole thing right then and there because she was fidgeting too much, even with the sedative they gave her. Their brilliant solution was to schedule her for actual hospital surgery just to put her completely under for a basic test, which sent her into an absolute tailspin of anxiety for an entire week. She was worrying herself so sick that her blood sugars kept crashing three nights in a row, which is so scary to watch. Then yesterday morning, the day of the procedure, her sugar plunged again in the middle of the night, her nerves were completely shot, and she was genuinely terrified she was having a heart attack.

That was the absolute moment I said enough is enough, and we canceled the whole thing. My sister and I are sitting down to draft a very direct letter to Kaiser to let them know that playing these endless games is over. Ever since March, all they have done is run test after test, dragging her back and forth, only to come up empty-handed every single time because there is literally nothing there to find. We are putting our foot down and giving them an ultimatum. Either they give her the routine injections she actually needs to feel better, or they approve her to go out of network to CU, where the doctors actually wanted to step up and treat her months ago. We are all completely exhausted from the runaround, and watching my mom sit there in constant pain and tears while they drag their feet has been utterly heart-wrenching. The second we officially canceled that appointment yesterday, you could just feel a massive weight lift off her shoulders. She was instantly brighter and seemed more like herself, which proved to me how much this constant medical stress has been tearing down her mental health. Some days she has been so overwhelmed she barely knows which way is up, and nobody deserves to live like that.

Today feels like a much-needed reset for all of us. She has a quick dentist visit this morning, and after that, we are taking a mental health day to go hunt for Halloween decorations. Our local Spirit Halloween just opened up its doors, and it happens to be right next to Barnes and Noble, which is basically my paradise. I have my heart set on picking up a copy of that Phantom of the Opera retelling called Our Last Duet, and I am definitely grabbing a stack of those glossy autumn lifestyle magazines to flip through with a hot drink later tonight.

We are also holding out a lot of hope for Mike on the job front right now. His savings have pretty much dwindled down to nothing, so he has been aggressively applying for anything local over the last couple of weeks. Luckily, we live in an area that is completely surrounded by distribution centers and warehouses, and he already scored an interview with Amazon for this Friday. The best part is that it is only about ten minutes from the house, which would be such an incredible setup for him. We are all keeping our fingers tightly crossed that it goes well and he can start getting a steady paycheck again soon.

I really hope you are all having a gentle, sweet week so far and taking some time to breathe. We are looking forward to the long holiday weekend ahead, cooking up some kind of delicious end-of-summer feast, even if we have not quite decided on the menu just yet. Tell me, are you team summer forever, or are you already pulling out the autumn candles like I am?

I appreciate you stopping by more than you know. Wishing you a truly lovely day, whatever you up to. Take good care of yourself until we meet here again!

3 AM Thoughts, Early Fall Dreams, and Finding My Rhythm Again

"Remember, there are no real failures in life, only results. There are no true tragedies, only lessons. And there really are no problems, only opportunities waiting to be recognized as solutions by the person of wisdom." (Robin Sharma)

Hello, my lovely friends! 

 

    It is officially three in the morning and I am fully committing to this all-nighter. Mom has to go in for more scans today, and since we need to leave the house by seven, I knew there was no way I was successfully waking up at five. So here I am in the quiet dark. Mike is completely passed out, and honestly, I am kind of loving this peaceful little pocket of time to myself. I’ve just been floating around YouTube, catching up on things, and chatting with you all while the rest of the world is asleep.

Mom has really been through the absolute wringer lately, but the last couple of weeks have actually been a bit better with her pain. She ended up having to cancel her trip out to my sister’s for the Bruno Mars concert, which was a bummer, but Cuinn is going in her place and Mom is feeling pretty decent now. Plus, my sister called yesterday to ask if Mom wants to come out for the holidays and stay for a whole month. You guys already know how much I would love that. Having some quiet time alone with Mike would be amazing, but more than anything, I think Mom just needs an escape. Her whole life here has felt like one endless doctor’s appointment, and a real break would do her so much good.

Speaking of the holidays, my brain has already fully skipped late summer and landed straight into autumn. We are starting to haul up the Halloween and fall bins this week because we want to go all out for Mike. His family was never big on holiday stuff—their version of Christmas was basically just swapping gift cards and moving on with their day, not even a tree in sight. We want to show him how fun it can actually be, and he has zero clue what he’s in for. I’m so excited that I’m probably going to start decorating in September just so we can sit back and enjoy it longer.

    Just when we thought our weather was cooling down, the 100s made an appearance over the weekend. We have been getting some afternoon and evening rain here, and we’re loving that so much. Finally the monsoon has hit us. The only thing growing in my containers are lettuce now. There’s a few tomatoes, but I don’t think they’re going to survive.

It feels like nature is playing a giant practical joke on all of us right now. One minute you’re pulling out a light sweater, dreaming about crisp air and everything autumn, and the next minute you step outside and remember what it feels like to melt on impact. I spent half the weekend just moving from one air-conditioned room to another, completely refusing to do anything useful. But honestly, watching the rain roll in during the late afternoon makes all that ridiculous heat almost worth it. There’s something so grounding about listening to the thunder rumble while sitting inside with a cold drink, watching the sky finally open up.

My little patio setup is definitely showing the stress of the season, though. Seeing a handful of lonely tomatoes hanging on for dear life is a little heartbreaking, but I’ve made my peace with the fact that lettuce is Apparently the true survivor of the bunch. At least something is happy to be alive out there, even if my dream of a massive tomato harvest is officially going down in flames.

    September 1st is right around the corner, and I’ve decided it’s officially time for a fresh start. With the holidays sneaking up on us faster than I’d like to admit, I really want to rededicate myself to writing and hanging out on the blog much more often. I’ve missed having this space as a regular part of my routine, and it feels like the perfect moment to jump back in with both feet.

Along with getting my writing mojo back, I’m also tackling my diet. I completely fell off the wagon after Mike moved in, which I guess was bound to happen. He’s used to living on fast food, and it turned out to be way too easy for me to fall right into that trap alongside him. Needless to say, the scale is reflecting it, and I’ve definitely gained some weight over the last few months.

So, I’m officially taking back control of the kitchen. Step one started yesterday when I chopped up a massive, full-on salad loaded with everything good. It feels great to finally put something green back on my plate, and honestly, just making the choice to start fresh feels like a huge relief. Here's to getting back on track.

 

I’m so grateful you dropped by! I hope the rest of your day brings you a little extra joy and a chance to unwind. Take a gentle breath, take care, and see you soon.

Full Circles & New Chapters: Catching Up After All This Time

 "Lean forward into your life... catch the best bits and the finest wind. Just tip your feathers in flight a wee bit and see how dramatically that small lean can change your life." (Mary Anne Radmacher)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    It seems like a million years since I’ve made a Spark blog, and honestly never thought this day would happen. But here we are, sitting down and actually typing out a post after all this time. Life has a funny way of pulling us in a thousand different directions, but no matter how much time passes, this little corner of the internet always feels like home. I’ve missed you guys so much, and I can't even tell you how good it feels to just sit back, breathe, and write to you all again.

I was thinking back on how long we’ve all been doing this together, through all the random life updates, the ups and downs, and everything in between. It’s pretty amazing that after years of posting, commenting, and keeping up with each other from afar, we're still here doing our thing.

    I was sitting here thinking about how wild it is that we’ve all managed to stick together after all this time. For years now, Facebook groups and blogs have been our main lifelines for staying connected. I’ve had one foot in both worlds, though I’ve spent most of my time over on Blogger. I’m definitely not giving that space up, but I’m going to start sharing those posts here too, just to make sure we do not miss each other.

    Looking back, it’s amazing to see how much our blogs have shifted over the years. We all started out so focused on weight loss and health goals, but eventually, real life just took over the screen. We’ve shared the big milestones, the tough heartbreaks, and all the totally mundane, everyday moments in between. Some years were great, some were brutal, and some were just plain weird, but the constant through it all was this group.

I’m just really grateful we’re still showing up for each other, no matter what platform we’re on or where life pulls us next. So here’s to another chapter of oversharing, checking in, and keeping this long-distance friendship alive. Grab a coffee and stay a while.

Non-Spark Stuff

    OMG, this heat is officially out of control. I know almost everyone is dealing with it right now, but we’re on our third straight week of triple digits over the weekend, and it’s getting ridiculous. The weirdest part is that the actual heat isn't even the worst bit anymore—I think we’re all somehow getting immune to feeling like we're walking inside an oven.

It’s really the smoke and haze from all the fires everywhere that's driving me nuts. The sky just looks so heavy, and it makes breathing outside horrible. We’ve basically been hiding indoors as much as humanly possible. On the rare days we actually brave the outdoors, we sprint around like crazy people trying to get every single errand done in one go so we can retreat back to the air conditioning.

I’m thinking about all of you and hoping you're staying cool, safe, and glued to your fans or AC units. Please tell me you’re staying inside as much as you can with this wild weather.

    Of course life has been crazy here. I’m trying to navigate living with someone again. The closet needs some work on it, but things are going well with Mike here. There’s been a few bumps in the road, but that’s just the two of us learning new things about each other. One of the things that I love is seeing my mom and him just sitting and talking to each other. He really cares for her and it shows in the way he treats and respects her.

Honestly, sharing my space after having it to myself for so long is a whole unique kind of adjustment. You do not realize how set in your ways you are until you suddenly have to share a closet or compromise on where things go, but we are figuring it out day by day. Every little disagreement or awkward moment just ends up turning into a chance to understand each other better. It is definitely a learning curve for both of us, but we are taking it in stride and finding our groove together.

Seeing him interact with my mom really makes all the little headaches worth it, though. They will just sit together and chat for hours, and it completely melts my heart to see how gentle and thoughtful he is with her. That kind of genuine kindness is not something you can fake, and knowing he cares for her like that makes this whole transition feel so right.

It was so lovely having you here today. Thank you for reading along! May the rest of your day be filled with warm smiles and quiet peace. Talk to you soon!

The Heat Is On

  "I was smiling yesterday, I am smiling today, and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything." (Santosh Kalwar)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

 

     What a week it’s been on this end. Honestly, it felt like a total whirlwind between spending a couple of days running around to doctor appointments with my mom and dealing with this absolute wall of heat. It got so incredibly hot here that just stepping outside felt like a chore, so I've mostly been hiding out indoors trying to keep cool and catch my breath.

    Let’s get the news about my mom and her MRI out of the way first. Monday was the day and she was really worried about it—so much that her doctor requested a sedative for her. Even though she’s had them before, facing two MRIs in a row meant being in that machine for a couple of hours, which completely set off her anxiety. Thankfully, she was done in under two hours and they said she did really well, though the pill definitely knocked her out and left her a little loopy for a few hours.

The next day, she saw a new doctor to talk about her pain. He doesn't think she has an infection and actually changed one of her medications, noting that she had the right meds but the wrong dose. She goes back in a month to see how that goes, and she also has a phone appointment on Thursday, which I’m assuming is to discuss the MRI results and next steps. For now, she’s still in limbo.

    It feels like the heat has been teasing us for a week, just begging to cross into the triple digits, and it looks like this coming week might finally do it. Between that and how dry our winter was, the mountains are really paying the price with these wildfires. There are about eight of them burning right now, and almost none of them are contained yet. The worst part of it all is that we lost three firefighters who were out there trying to protect everything.

The air quality down here has been so brutal because of it. At one point last week, the mountains completely disappeared behind a thick, heavy haze. We did get a really good rain in Denver that managed to clear things up a bit, but you can still smell the smoke sitting in the air. Just stay safe, stay inside where it's cool, and keep those crews in your thoughts.

    Mike and I dragged ourselves out of bed early yesterday to hit the farmer’s market before the heat got brutal, mostly because I wanted to be back in time for the World Cup. My mom always complains it's too far away, but it's literally a twenty-four-minute drive. I used to go years ago when the massive fill-a-bag deal was only ten bucks. It is up to seventeen dollars now, but it is still an incredible steal for what you can shove in there.

I went all out and managed to stuff three entire bags to the brim with potatoes, corn, cucumbers, broccoli, jalapeños, and bell peppers. Then I hit up another stand for a bag of fresh lettuce and herbs. We grabbed some lunch on the way back and made a whole day of it. It was honestly the perfect morning, and now my kitchen is overflowing with fresh produce.

I completely forgot to snap a picture of the veggie stash before I put it all away, but I'll definitely get a photo of the massive salad I'm throwing together for dinner tonight. I have an idea for a brand-new recipe with some fresh fruit mixed in, so I'll make sure to share how that turns out on Tuesday's blog post.

    Did anyone see the post on FB about a new Sparkpeople? I’m sure it won’t be like the one we all loved, but the idea of a new one sounds good. Wonder if it’s free or a paid one? Any of you know anything about it? 

 Thank you for being here. It’s always a treat to share this space with you. May your day be sweet, calm, and wrapped in comfort. See you in the next post!

A Little Bit Of This and That

 

 

"I was smiling yesterday, I am smiling today, and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything." (Santosh Kalwar)

Hello, my lovely friends! 

 

     Hope things have been going well. It seems like it’s been a while since we just had a chat about things. Things have been going good, but a little crazy. Life has a way of picking up speed when you least expect it, and before you know it, weeks have flown by without any real catching up. Between the daily chores, and just trying to keep your head above water, the days sort of blur together. But even when everything feels like a whirlwind, I constantly find myself thinking about everyone and missing our talks.

It is funny how we can go a stretch without talking every single day, yet the second we get back together, it feels like no time has passed at all. That is the best part about having history like ours. We have seen each other through so many different phases, and even when life gets loud and distracting, having you guys in my corner keeps me grounded.

    I think the last time we actually caught up was right before Mike officially moved in, or maybe during that crazy first week. He’s been here for a couple of weeks now, and honestly, we are still drowning in boxes, trying to figure out where all his stuff goes and how to make this space work for the both of us.

It hasn’t been totally seamless, we’ve definitely had some ups and downs already, but I completely expected that. I know we’re bound to drive each other absolutely crazy and step on each other's toes as we adjust to sharing a routine, but we’ll get through it and figure it out. Overall, things are really good, and we're just settling in.

    Dealing with Kaiser is such a massive headache, and honestly, it really does feel like they're just playing games with your mom at this point. It is so validating that even her doctors are on the same page about how ridiculous the system is. It completely makes sense why she freaked out and canceled those MRIs when she saw that $250 price tag per scan—that kind of unexpected expense is enough to make anyone panic and hit the brakes.

Thank goodness the doctor who does her shots actually noticed her cancellations and reached out to check on her. It's a relief he explained that his hands are totally tied until they get those images, because it gives her a real reason to push through and get them done this Monday. It's completely normal that she's anxious about being stuck in that chamber for so long, but having that strong sedative from her main doctor should help her just coast right through it. Even though everyone thinks it's likely going to come back clear, getting it over with is the only way she can finally get those pain shots and some actual relief.

    Happy almost 4th of July, everyone. I know some of you just celebrated Canada Day yesterday, so hopefully you're still in party mode, because we’ve got the holiday coming up on Saturday. We’re keeping things pretty low-key but classic this year. I actually managed to get Mike hooked on the old Twilight Zone marathon on the SyFy channel, so we’ll definitely be glued to the TV for a good chunk of the weekend.

Aside from the marathon, we’re doing the whole traditional spread. We're going to grill up some hamburgers and hot dogs, and I've got an apple pie ready to go, because honestly, you can't get much more American than that. Plus, if you didn't know, Colorado is celebrating its 150th birthday this year too, so it feels like there's extra reason to celebrate. I hope you all have the best weekend, whatever you end up doing.

It was so lovely having you here today. Thank you for reading along! May the rest of your day be filled with warm smiles and quiet peace. Talk to you soon!

Here's to New Beginnings

"I was smiling yesterday, I am smiling today, and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything." (Santosh Kalwar)

 

Hello, my lovely friends! 

 

     It’s been a busy week here and you all know why. Early evening on Thursday, Mike drove up after a two-day road trip. He ran into some serious rainstorms, but got through everything. He didn’t drive at night and stayed the night at a hotel in Des Moines, Iowa. We’re so happy that he got here safe and sound. I know his mom and family were happy about that too.

    Honestly, the relief when he finally pulled into the driveway was huge. You know how it is when someone you love is out on the highway in bad weather, you just hold your breath a little bit until you hear the car door slam. Once he was unpacked and we caught our breath, we basically collapsed onto the couch and haven't done much else since. We've just been taking it easy, catching up, and enjoying the quiet after all that driving.

    It feels so good to just relax and have him here after talking about this trip for so long. We've mostly just been cooking comfort food, watching a ton of movies, and letting him recover from being behind the wheel for days. It’s the absolute best kind of lazy weekend, and I’m just soaking up every minute of it

    It's been a couple of days adjusting with Mike here and then my nephew Kyle will be here on Friday for the weekend. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him. I’m looking forward to spending some time with him. We’re taking him to Casa Bonita.

It feels like we’re finally getting into a good groove over here. We’ve had about a few days now adjusting to having Mike around and getting used to the new routine, which has been really nice. Just as we’re settling into that rhythm, though, the house is about to get a little busier. My nephew Kyle is coming into town this Friday to stay with us for the weekend, and I honestly can’t even remember the last time I actually got to see him. It has been way too long, and I am so excited to just hang out and catch up properly.

    To celebrate him being here, we're planning a whole thing and taking him to Casa Bonita. You already know it's going to be a wild time. I’m just really looking forward to a solid weekend of good food, lots of laughs, and finally getting some quality time with him. I'll have to fill you all ophthalmic on how the cliff divers and the sopaipillas treat us once the weekend wraps up.

    It is going to be a wild week over here, and I am already bracing myself. We have a handful of appointments scattered through the next few days, but the real project is that Mike is finally moving in. He honestly doesn’t have a ton of stuff, which you’d think would make it easy, but of course that means the jigsaw puzzle of making room is entirely on me. I am currently staring at my space trying to figure out how to shuffle things around so he actually has a place to put his clothes and feel at home without us totally tripping over each other.

    It is definitely going to be a process of sorting, lifting, and probably finding dust bunnies I didn’t know existed, but I am excited to get everything organized and settled. Once the heavy lifting is done and the boxes are empty, I am so looking forward to just sitting back and enjoying the new setup. Wish me luck with the heavy lifting and the endless rearranging, and I will keep you all posted on how the new space turns out.

It was a treat having you stop by! Whatever the sun or moon is doing in your neck of the woods, I hope it’s treating you well. Until our next encounter... Ciao for now!

There's Some Big News

  "As I look back on my life, I realize that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being redirected to something better." (Steve Maraboli)

 

Hello, my lovely friends!  

    It seems like every week I have some crazy bad news for you all involving my mom, but not this week. She’s still dealing with the same pain, but we’re honestly just not going to talk about that today. We need a break from the heavy stuff, so let's focus on our weekend adventures instead.

 

First off, let’s talk about the play we saw, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”. I have some thoughts, and definitely a few issues with it. I went into it knowing absolutely nothing other than the fact that it was Harry Potter, so obviously I expected some magic. And I will say, the special effects and the magic in the show were completely amazing. There were things they did right in front of our eyes where I still have no earthly idea how they pulled it off. The dementors alone were incredible. Just for the visual effects, the show is worth seeing once. Notice I said only once.

 

The biggest issue was that the story just moved way too fast. If you blinked or missed a line, you were completely lost. My mom was totally lost. They shoved so much information into the first ten minutes that it was impossible to keep up with the pacing. I feel like it would be really tough for kids or older adults to follow along. The second half of the play was definitely better and the storyline started making a lot more sense, but it takes a while to get there. Just a heads up for anyone thinking about going, this is a full-on play with absolutely no singing or musical numbers. The magic was great, but the rest of it was just sort of meh for me. I’m glad I went, but I definitely won’t see it again if it comes back to town.

 

     Now onto the big news of the blog, which some of you might have already pieced together if you were paying close attention to Facebook the other day. Yes, he actually posted about it, so the secret is officially out. 

    Mike has been out here to visit twice now, we have been together for over two years, and he has fully secured the absolute highest stamp of approval from both my mom and my sister. Tomorrow morning, bright and early, he is officially loading up and starting the long road trip to move out here to live with us permanently. Looking a little further down the road, there are definite marriage plans for later on this year. We have been casually talking about it for the last year or so, but since October, we really sat down and got completely serious about making it happen.

The real turning point happened after he came out to stay with me while my mom was in the hospital. We had a really long, serious talk because he knew deep down that I was never going to leave her side, and leaving this area just wasn't an option for me. His mom is actually in a very similar situation right now, so we were able to talk through all of that together and really understand each other's perspectives. In all honesty, I have never felt a magnetic pull to another person the way I do with him. Even during the moments when we don't see eye to eye or disagree on things, at the end of the day, I still just can't imagine my life without him in it.

 

    It feels so incredibly surreal to type this out, but last night we finally watched our very last movie apart. We’ve been talking about this day for what feels like forever, and now we are literally twenty-four hours away from him packing up the car and starting his road trip here. He already has the whole route planned out and everything, which means if all goes well, he should be pulling into the driveway sometime late Friday afternoon.

 

So yeah, that is my massive, life-altering news for the week. It is a total mix of extreme excitement and complete terror all at the same time, but deep down I know it’s a really wonderful thing. I’m mostly just trying to process the fact that the long-distance countdown is officially over. Next time we have a movie night, we'll actually be sharing the same couch and the same bowl of popcorn, and I honestly can't wait.

 

 So glad you could make it. Whether you’re starting your day or winding it down, I hope it’s a great one. Until we cross paths again—take care!

 

 

 

That Was a Long Week

  "Instead of a sign that says: 'Do not disturb' I need one that says: 'Already disturbed, proceed with caution.'" (Author Unknown)

 

 Hello, my lovely friends!

    Oh my goodness, friends, last week was officially one of the longest, most exhausting weeks I have had in what feels like forever. It was just one of those times where our emotions were riding a total rollercoaster, bouncing all over the place with so many different things happening at once. On top of the emotional weight, our calendar was absolutely packed, and it felt like we were out and running around pretty much every single day.

By the time the chaos finally slowed down, we managed to carve out two whole days just to stay home—and let me tell you, we did absolutely nothing. We were both so incredibly drained and bone-tired from everything that our only mission was to rest and recharge. It is so important to listen to your body when it tells you to stop, so we happily embraced the cozy downtime to reset.

    We have some sad news in our family. My Uncle Fritz, who was married to my dad’s sister, Nancy, passed away last Sunday. While we knew this day was approaching after his years-long battle with cancer and his later struggle with dementia, it’s still never easy to say goodbye. By the end, the dementia had taken such a hold that he no longer recognized anyone, including my sweet aunt, but we take comfort in knowing he went peacefully, surrounded by the love of his kids and grandkids.

Right now, the family is waiting to finalize the details for his services. My sister and BIL are already planning to fly out to join us so we can all support Aunt Nancy and honor Uncle Fritz's memory together. On Monday we went over to my aunt’s house to spend some time with her.

    Then on Tuesday, my mom had an appointment with the infectious disease doctor, and wow,what an absolute world of difference! My sister was on the phone listening in, too. My mom explained everything she’s been going through and how they just keep making her do test after test. Honestly, this is probably the very first doctor who actually truly heard her. We all asked questions, and she took the time to answer every single one.

She suggested a new MRI since the last one is over two months old. My mom was a little hesitant at first, but she went ahead and made the appointment, and it is already scheduled for this Friday! That is easily the fastest appointment she’s gotten in a long time. The doctor even said she would contact my mom’s other doctor to coordinate getting her shots. My mom is feeling so much better about things now that she finally has a doctor who really has the ball rolling.    

    Wednesday finally gave us a much-needed break from the emotional roller-coaster we’ve been riding lately. We spent the day resting up and recharging, but we also had to get everything ready for Thursday because we were heading right back to the theater! This time, we went to see MJ The Musical again. You might remember that when we first saw it a couple of years ago, we loved it so much that we came right home and bought tickets to see it again the very next week.

This performance was extra special because we managed to snag front-row seats right in the dead center. It was an absolutely incredible show! There was this moments where it felt so surreal, if you closed your eyes, you would swear Michael Jackson himself was right there on stage singing. If you love his music even a little bit, this show is an absolute must-see.

    Oh my goodness, can we talk about how exhausting grocery shopping is? We had to venture out for some much-needed supplies on Friday, and honestly, it just takes absolutely everything out of me. Between navigating the aisles, bagging everything up, hauling it all inside, and finally putting it where it belongs, it's a whole workout. My sweet mom isn't really able to help much with the heavy lifting, so the bulk of the heavy lifting falls on my shoulders, leaving me completely wiped out.

Because the week was such a marathon, yesterday just had to be another much-needed rest day. I did manage to tackle a few little things around the house to keep life moving, but mostly, I just gave myself permission to slow down and recharge the batteries. Sometimes you just have to listen to your body, take a breather, and remind yourself that the chores can wait.

Whew! How’s was your week? 

So glad you could make it. Whether you’re starting your day or winding it down, I hope it’s a great one. Until we cross paths again—take care! 

Happy Mother's Day!!!

 

The Rain Came

  

"Lean forward into your life... catch the best bits and the finest wind. Just tip your feathers in flight a wee bit and see how dramatically that small lean can change your life." (Mary Anne Radmacher)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    Oh my goodness, Mother Nature has truly opened up the skies! It has been raining off and on for two days now, and honestly, it is such a beautiful sight to see. After the long, dry winter we’ve had, every single drop feels like a little gift for the earth. You can almost hear the ground sighing with relief as it finally gets a much-needed drink.

The best part—or maybe the part where we should start hunting for our umbrellas—is that it looks like we’re in for this pattern for a while. The forecast says we can expect rain pretty much every afternoon for the rest of the week. While it might put a little dampener on outdoor plans, there is something so cozy about watching the clouds roll in while the world gets a good scrubbing.

I’m choosing to look on the bright side of these gray skies. It is the perfect excuse to slow down, listen to the pitter-patter on the roof, and maybe enjoy an extra-large mug of something warm. Our gardens and the trees are going to be so happy and vibrant once the sun decides to peek back through. For now, let’s just enjoy the refresh and stay dry out there!

    A quick update on my mom. She had her biopsy very, very early this past Monday morning, so that part is officially behind us. It is such a relief to have that step checked off the list, and now we are just in that waiting period for the results to come back. We are keeping our fingers crossed that everything looks good so we can finally get her shots scheduled and get her back on track.

It has been a bit of a journey dealing with the logistics of it all lately. Even the doctor who administers her shots mentioned it feels like Kaiser is really dragging their feet with her at this point. He was so supportive, though, even going as far as to say that if she needed a hand navigating her way out of their system to get better care elsewhere, he would personally help her out. It’s honestly so heartening to know she has people like that in her corner.

For now, we are staying positive and focusing on the best-case scenario. We’re hoping for a clear report so she can move forward with her treatment without any more delays or hurdles.

    If the weather decides to behave itself, we are planning on heading out to Costco later today. You all know what that means—it is time to restock on those amazing salad bags! They are easily my favorite find lately, and I honestly can’t get enough of them.

I’m still kicking myself a little bit because I really should have taken a picture to show you, but I tried something new for dinner last night. I took that same salad I posted the other day and tucked it all into a wrap instead of eating it out of a bowl. Let me tell you, it was absolutely yummy! It’s such a simple switch, but it felt like a totally different meal. I forgot to post the picture of the salad the other night and put it up in the blog before this one. 

There is just something so satisfying about finding a healthy go-to that actually tastes great and makes life a little easier. Whether I’m crunching on it as a side or rolling it up for a quick dinner, those greens are definitely the highlight of my grocery list. If the rain holds off and I manage to snag a few more bags, I’ll be one very happy camper. Sending you all so much love and hoping your day is full of little wins and delicious treats!

Thanks for dropping in! I’d wish you a good morning, but since I don't know your time zone, let's just go with: Have a spectacular next 24 hours. See you at the next one!

Some Things About My Mom

 “What is a mom but the sunshine of our days and the north star of our nights.” (Robert Brault)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

    My mom celebrated her 79th birthday yesterday, and today wanted to put down some facts about her. It's been a rough month for her with everything, but she had a really good birthday. There were calls from family members, flowers from others, and her favorite coconut shrimp for dinner. Let's get into some facts...

 

 1. She save my life, literally. When I was about six or seven we went swimming at a neighbor’s cabin. There was a swimming pool nearby. I’ve been taking lessons at our local pool that started at 3 feet. What we didn’t realize was that the pool said 3 ½ feet. I walked right down the stairs and went under and began to panic. My mom clothes and all jumped and pulled me out. I was shaken, but okay. 

2. Before junior high, my mom was a stay-at-home mom. She would always make and decorate the cake for classroom parties. One year I was sick when the kids in the classroom were volunteering to bring things for the party. My mom gets a call in the afternoon from my teacher asking how I was doing, but was really calling her to say the kids voted for me to bring the cake for the party. My mom always made the most amazing cakes. 

3. When I was in 6th grade I had my first boyfriend that broke my heart. When he broke up with me I didn’t want to go to school. I broke down crying and telling her what happened and she let me stay home for the day. I spent the day making tortillas with her. I felt much better after that. 

4. For Halloween I was always a witch, my mom made my costume. Every year she would change things up for Halloween. One year she braided my hair and had it wild and frizzy, another year she put these longs black nails on me, and another time she put green makeup in cooked oatmeal and put it all over my face. Good times, fun times! 

5. My mom would shop for Christmas present all year long (still does) and she would wrap the gift and hide it somewhere in the house. The problem is my mom would forget come Christmas where she put presents. One year we finished unwrapping gifts, had dinner and I was washing the dishes. My mom was talking to me and then she ran off. She came back with a present for me that she forgot all about. 

6. My mom taught me how to cook. She made dinner every night when I was little and I would sit in there and ask a million questions. How do you do this? Why that? How long? She went to work as a cake decorator for a grocery store. I would be the first one home and would have to make dinner. I believe I was about twelve at the time. She would pull out everything that I would need and at the start would make everything in the microwave and within a year I was cooking in the oven. I would cal her at work once I got home and she would tell me how to cook whatever we were having. 

Thank you so much for stopping by.
I wish you a good morning, afternoon or evening wherever you are.
Until next time… Adios!

 

 

A Whirlwind of a Week

 "I think that when the dust settles, we will realize how little we need, how very much we actually have, and the true value of human connection." (Author Unknown)

Hello, my lovely friends!

    It has been an absolute whirlwind of a week over here! Between the high points, the low moments, and those "head-scratching" instances that leave me completely baffled, life has been anything but quiet. It feels like I’m constantly juggling a dozen things at once, trying to keep the momentum going while navigating the unexpected twists and turns.

I wanted to take a quick second to say a huge thank you for sticking by me through the chaos. Your patience means the world as I manage the beautiful craziness my life has become.

    Nine years without Dad, and I know so many of you truly understand that the ache never really goes away; it just shifts into something different. This anniversary felt particularly heavy, especially for Mom. There’s a certain weight in realizing just how much life she has navigated without him, especially while managing her own health challenges. It’s a bittersweet milestone that reminds us of both her strength and the space he left behind.

To honor him, we kept things quiet and close to home. We spent the evening over big bowls of spaghetti, laughing about how much he absolutely lived for a good pasta dinner. It was simple, comfort-filled, and exactly the kind of "together" he would have loved.

    It feels like things are finally shifting into high gear! After a bit of a struggle, Kaiser has really stepped up—they’ve moved those July appointments up to next month and are fast-tracking other dates too. While it’s such a relief to see progress, it’s honestly frustrating that it took a few stern emails to get the momentum going. Everyone deserves that level of commitment to their health from the very start without having to fight for it.

On a brighter note, we managed to power through several appointments for both of us last week. It feels great to have those checked off the list and behind us! Even with the recent hustle from our current provider, we are still planning on switching insurance at the end of the year. For now, we’re just focusing on the wins and staying positive as we move toward better care.

    Oh my goodness, what a roller coaster of a week! We were already riding a wave of big emotions when I woke up Friday morning to a total shock: snow. And I’m not talking about a few pretty flakes; we got hit with four inches of that heavy, wet slush that makes everything feel like a winter wonderland (or a giant mess, depending on your mood). It definitely felt like Mother Nature was playing a little prank on us.

Thankfully, the sun decided to make an appearance yesterday and chased all that white stuff away. While the snow is officially a memory, those freezing temperatures are definitely sticking around for a bit! It’s been the talk of the neighborhood, with everyone worried about their poor budding plants. It was a good reminder of that old local wisdom the news crews love to repeat. There’s a reason we’re told to hold off on planting until after Mother’s Day.

It was a treat having you stop by! Whatever the clock says where you are, I hope your morning, afternoon, or evening is a total win. Until our next digital rendezvous... stay wonderful!

Oh Boy! Here We Go Again

 "It often seems, looking back, that the unexpected comes to define us, the paths we didn't see coming and may have wandered down by mistake. The older we get the more willing we are to follow those, to surprise ourselves." (Anna Quindlen)

 
Hello, my lovely, friends!

    Well, here we are again with another wild update regarding my mom’s health journey and the ongoing saga with Kaiser. Dealing with the medical system can feel like a rollercoaster, but I’m staying hopeful and keeping things moving forward with a lot of heart and a little bit of patience.

I promise to end this on a high note with something truly special. If you were following along with what I was up to last Sunday, you might already have a hunch about the surprise I’m saving for the finale.

    Since Mom got home from the hospital, it’s been a total rollercoaster on the pain front. She’s been a rockstar with her meds and those pain pads, though we’re still working on getting her to do those laps around the house! Just as she was finding a rhythm, her doctor called and threw a few curveballs: they’re cutting her "gabby" pills down from three to two, and—get this—they want her to do another biopsy. Even though she just had one at the top hospital in the state, Kaiser wants their own team to do it all over again.

To make matters worse, there’s a huge debate over whether she has an infection. The hospital specialist said she’s in the clear, but Kaiser is spotting something in the reports that has them worried. Because of that, they’re threatening to cancel the pain shots she’s been waiting two months for. Mom is rightfully frustrated and definitely put up a fight over the phone! Those shots are her lifeline for relief, and having them yanked away over conflicting opinions is beyond stressful.

    Ugh, guys, my heart is just breaking for my mom right now. We were so ready for Tuesday; I’d even triple-checked her appointment online to make sure her shots were finally happening. We get there, all geared up for some much-needed relief, only for the doctor to pull us aside. He told us his hands were tied because her primary doctor thinks there’s an infection. The kicker? He doesn't even agree with her, but because she’s the lead, the whole thing was a no-go.

It was a total gut punch. My mom actually started crying, and then the anger set in—and honestly, I don't blame her. She feels like Kaiser is just running her in circles at this point. She’s been jumping through every single hoop they’ve set out for a year now, all while her pain keeps getting worse, and we're still stuck at square one.

The doctor did promise to advocate for her and get those shots scheduled the second he gets the "all clear," but going from the hope of feeling better to another "maybe later" was devastating. She really thought the finish line was in sight, only to have the rug pulled out from under her. We’re just crossing our fingers that this gets cleared up fast because she has waited more than long enough.

    The current situation with Kaiser is beyond frustrating—they want to wait until July for a spine specialist consultation. Yes, you read that right, July! My sister wasn't having it and sent a very direct message letting them know that waiting four months while she's in pain is completely unacceptable. It’s so confusing; if there is a genuine concern about an infection, why aren't they moving with more urgency?

Because of the delay, she is officially pushing for an out-of-network referral. There’s a hospital ready and willing to help her right now, and her stance is simple: if Kaiser won't approve the referral, then they need to step up and provide the care immediately. It feels good to finally stand our ground and advocate for what she needs.

There is a bit of a silver lining today, though. My mom has a phone appointment with her primary doctor, and my sister is planning to jump on the call to make sure all the right questions get asked. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and staying hopeful that this will finally get things moving in the right direction. We will definitely keep you posted on what happens next!

    Whew! That was a lot to digest! On to the fun thing that happened Sunday. So, with my mom’s pain for the past couple of weeks she wasn’t sure if she would make it. I was going with or with out her, but so glad she came. 


    We just caught the 40th-anniversary tour of The Phantom of the Opera, and let me tell you, it was pure magic! Since it was the second-to-the-last show, we pulled out all the stops to make sure my mom was comfortable, packing every pain pad, cream, and gummy in our arsenal. It was so worth the effort the moment we reached our seats. I’d actually forgotten which ones I booked, but I managed to snag front-row center! Seeing my mom’s face light up when she realized how close we were was the best feeling.

    Even on our ninth time seeing it, the show blew us away. This Phantom was incredible, and Christine had such a powerhouse voice. We noticed a few fresh creative tweaks this time around, which is always fun when you’ve seen so many different takes on the production. By the finale, I was a total puddle of tears—I just can’t help it, it’s that moving! If the tour rolls into your city, please do yourself a favor and grab tickets. You’ll never be disappointed by this masterpiece.

So glad you could make it. Whether you’re starting your day or winding it down, I hope it’s a great one. Until we cross paths again—take care!

 

 

Things Are Better

 “Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow.” (Mary Anne Em Radmacher)

Hello, my lovely friends!

 

     Whew, what a week! If life were a roller coaster, we definitely just finished the part with the triple loops and the vertical drops. The good news is that things are finally starting to slow down. My mom is officially back home, and seeing her in her own space is such a relief. While she’s still dealing with some pain, it is nothing compared to the nightmare she was going through before. She’s being a total champ, taking everything one day at a time and focusing on healing.

 

 

Of course, it wouldn't be a medical journey without a little drama, and once again, Kaiser is making things way more complicated than they need to be. They wanted her to come in for a follow-up, and we went in thinking they actually wanted to get to the bottom of why she ended up in the ER in the first place. Honestly? It turned out to be such a total waste of time. The doctor asked a couple of basic questions, checked her pulse, and that was pretty much the end of it. We drove all that way just for a "yep, you're still breathing" check-up.

 

 

The only tiny silver lining is that the doctor did reach out to her specialists, so she officially has appointments on the books. The catch? They aren't until July! I don’t know about you, but waiting four months when you’ve just been through a health crisis feels like a lifetime. We aren't just sitting back and waiting, though. We’re currently flooding their inboxes with emails, asking them to let the hospital team take over her treatment. The hospital doctors are ready and willing to help her now, and she deserves care today—not four months from now.

 

 

    Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs right when you think you’ve got the rhythm down, doesn’t it? Right now, we are officially in the "waiting game" phase, just watching to see what happens next. It’s that strange, quiet space between chapters where you just have to breathe and take things one day at a time. My sister headed back home this past Sunday, but she was an absolute rock before she left, making sure we had everything organized and ready to go. Having that kind of support makes all the difference when things feel a bit up in the air.

 

 

On a much brighter note, Mike is still here with me until Sunday, and honestly, having him around has been such a gift. He completely dove into the deep end the moment he arrived, jumping right in to help out with my mom without a second thought. I know this definitely wasn't the "relaxing" start to a vacation that he probably had in mind, but seeing how he handled everything really warmed my heart. He’s been a total champ through it all.

 

 

The best part is that now that the initial rush has settled, we are finally getting to enjoy some true quality time together. We’re officially making the most of every moment and having a wonderful time just being in each other's company. It’s a great reminder that even when plans go a little sideways, the people you’re with are what make the memories special. Here’s to enjoying the rest of the week and seeing what the next chapter brings!

 

 Thanks for dropping in! I’d wish you a good morning, but since I don't know your time zone, let's just go with: Have a spectacular next 24 hours. See you at the next one!