Sad Anniversary

4 years ago today, I lost my very best buddy.  My Daddy.  Yes, Jim is my husband/best friend, and love of my life, but it seems like there was more than a regular father/daughter bond between daddy and me.  Too hard to describe.  I still catch myself trying to call him and tell him the happenings in my life, ask his advice, or simply to have him make me laugh with a sense of humor no one else understood but us.  I miss you Daddy.

Anyway - seems like God knew I needed distractions today so I had two little grandsons asking for shirts for their Halloween costumes.  So I found the characters they were asking for, worked some magic and BOOM---Halloween T-shirts -   I just wish I knew what the characters were ....lol.   Then comes Jennifer with her Halloween costume for work that needed to be hemmed, so I did that too.  I told Jenny it's funny that I have grown children and I've spent my day making costumes. It's nice to be needed though. 

What a Birthday !!!!

Had surprise "visitors" Saturday !!!  Was sitting in den watching TV and I hear  - Hey Mama  - It's Zack and Emily !!!  He got home last week and they came down for a birthday surprise!!! 

My children "surprised" me with a birthday lunch Sunday.  And I say "surprised" in that they didn't think I knew, but none of them can keep and secret and Emily, Zack, Jake and I went shopping for it Sat night...lol.

Everything was wonderful.  Was missing my husband and 2 of my sons, but we had a great time.  Jim and I have plans to celebrate our birthdays together while I'm in NC with him the next 2 weeks.  It's a new tradition we started a couple of years ago.  It works well for us.

New wreath this time was claimed by Rachel...  Maybe I'll be able to keep one for myself soon  😉

another candy cane wreath

Got quite a bit done today.  Laundry, bills, a little cleaning and of course a little crafting.  Tried watching some television and I did finally finish the 4th season of "The Good Witch" which brings up a question.....when did I become the cat hoarding, Hallmark Channel watching, crafting and crocheting grandma????  Not that I mind doing any of these things and find nothing wrong with them, but where has the time gone and how did I get here???? 
All I did was turn around and my babies are grown, have babies of their own and my husband has a new job that keeps him out of town and now I find myself with a half packed house and waiting...and waiting...and waiting....and how did I get on this subject..🤪  Frustration can get the best of me sometimes, but it always comes back to  "God's timing and not our timing".  Besides, the holidays are coming and that is when I am the busiest and happiest.  Love having my family around and catering to them. 💖💖
Here is a pic of the new candy cane wreath I made today.  Jennifer has claimed this one so guess I'll just keep making them until I get to keep one for myself...lol

Another Birthday meal

Got a text from Jake today wanting to know if I had eaten...of course not...said he would be home in  a bit....He came in with 5 guys....Jr bacon burger and chocolate malt....OMG...went into food coma after lunch.😄

Sad day today....my Daddy's birthday.  I can't even begin to say how much I miss that man.  Another day to get thru next is the 29th....the day he left this world.  SOOOO   I kept busy crafting again.  Learning to make elaborate bows while adjusting to new bifocals....it's been interesting.  Tried a new wall hanger for the Christmas season.  Emily has already laid claim to this one...lol

Beautiful Day

Woke up this morning to 55 degree weather!!!  After checking the weather and realizing that this was the ONLY day we would have this weather for awhile, I spent several hours on the patio reading and enjoying the coolness. 

I also decided today to clean the cat litter (I have been forbidden to pick up anything or bend since my procedure) and proceeded to take it out to the garbage.  After I got back in the house, my phone rings and it's Jim telling me that I'm not supposed to be doing things like that.  It slipped my mind that he installed a video door bell and could see what I was doing outside.  I think the threat was made to remove it if he continued to monitor me  😏

Spent the evening with Rachel and Cory.  Went to pick up my new glasses, Hobby Lobby which was a hoot.  I think I found a new craft store buddy.  Cory was amazed and wanted to spend hours in there.  Then to P.F.Changs for an early birthday dinner for me.  While they were driving me back home, we turned on some music and all three of us were singing in the car. This is something that Rachel and I do every time we go somewhere together and Cory just jumped right in.  He fits in well.

Tabby is sitting at the bedroom door staring at me so I think that's my cue to sign off for the night.

Done

It's done.  The left leg was roto-rootered and I am the proud owner of 3 new stints bringing my grand total up to 6.  Who would have thought.  So glad Jim was able to come home and stay with me.  He left this morning to go back to Columbia/Charlotte and will be gone for 2 weeks this time.  He has a trip to Kansas City in this mix while he is gone. 

Still on restrictive activity until the end of the week but I'm making great use of my time.  Already have the Christmas ornaments finished for this year and going to start working on presents.  Although it seems I'm being ambitious, I know that on most things I will be panicking at the last minute.  It's getting harder and harder to find presents for this family.  Seems everyone has everything they need or want, which is a blessing, but it makes it hard to shop for holidays. 

Monday

It's Monday....enough said....Day started with getting dressed...yea!!!  My Bible study, then what seemed like hours on the phone.  I am scheduled to be at cath lab for my roto-rooter at 8am Thurs.  Jim and I discussed the mammogram that was scheduled for the next morning and we decided to move that appointment...lol  Jim terrified I would pass out again ( I'm a little nervous about that myself).  Then on phone with eye insurance carrier trying to find a place to get new glasses that accepts our insurance. 

Finally down to Pearl Vision to pick out new frames.  There is a big disconnect between people my age and the so called "young people".  I would say that 90% of the eyeglass frames now are "retro" and "mid century" - or for someone my age, they are the glasses that my parents and grandparents wore- not exactly what I want to see in the mirror every time I put them on. Finally found a pair I can live with.  When did they get so expensive??? 

Picked Logan up from daycare then to Walmart to pick up a few things...came home and Jake had dinner fixed 😀  which was surprising since he had his knee drained again today and Cortisone shot to help with inflammation.  He's out of work for the next few days so hopefully they will hurry and get his workman's comp going soon.  This is his second time out in as many weeks.  I pray this is not an ongoing thing for him and he heals soon.

Home

Came home Friday evening.  Saturday was spent watching football all day and watching Jim eat.  Had to call Jennifer later to bring home Alka Seltzer....he WAY over did it.  

Jim left this morning going back to Columbia to take care of that office for a few days.  I'm trying to get things done so I can relax after being roto-rootered Thursday.  Fun times.  Gathering up crafting supplies so I'll have something to do while sitting still 😈

In SC with Jim

Have been in Columbia, SC with Jim this week.  We made a trip to Charlotte to look at the building they are negotiating and drove around looking for housing.  It's not definite, but we are thinking we will be living in SC for several reasons...taxes, etc.  BUT...I'm not seriously looking for anything until all the t's are crossed and i's dotted this time.  The building is in a good location and we can live in either state with ease.  I kind of wish it was farther north (I was in love with that area) but I'm sure I can live most anywhere. 

We have been kind of quiet and still this trip.  Only going out to grab a meal and 1 Target run.  I brought enough projects with me to keep me busy while Jim is at work, and I have the Christmas ornaments for this year almost completed.  A few need the vinyl re-cut and since I didn't bring my machine, I'll have to wait until I get home to finish those few.

Got bored this afternoon and walked down to Cracker Barrel.  Not to eat, but to shop.  Big mistake...I picked up a few Christmas presents but found their Halloween table which was 40% off...Two of the boys in my house (Jake and Logan) will be very, very happy with my purchase...lol.  I was weak.😁

Change of plans

I seldom ever plan.  People usually do it for me.  Like Friday.  I was supposed to have my second leg procedure done.  Had psyched myself up for being “uncomfortable” during the procedure and dealing with the recovery.   I received a call this morning from the cardiologist office informing me that my Dr has postponed it.   Since he has to go through one of the stents he put in the last time to access the new area, he wants more healing time.  Of course I call Jim and he has already checked out of his room and packed his truck.   Luckily he was able to find another room and postponed coming home until Friday.  And...since I already had a clear week next week, I decided I would just go back with him Sunday😊.   Hope he doesn’t mind 🤪🤪🤪

life is moving on

let's go back to last Wednesday night.  It was the closing of the SAIA convention.  Cocktail party was great, dinner and awards ceremony was wonderful...my husband gives good speech but you can't convince him of that.  After party was a blast.  Band was great.  The best part was a "typewriter poet".  I sat down with him and he asked me what my passion was - of course I said family - he wanted to know how many children and if I had grandchildren - I gave him the answers and then he started typing away only pausing to think for a few seconds, the back to typing.....when he finished he read the poem to me and brought tears to my eyes.  He totally nailed it.  I'll try to get the picture of the poem in this entry.  Anyway party was good. 
Next day (Thursday) I actually got to spend some time with my husband.  We spent the majority of the day at the WWII museum.  It was awesome.  We stayed until closing which was amazing.  They play taps over the sound system everyday and it echoes thru the streets.  It will give you chills.  I highly recommend it to anyone going to the NOLA area. 
Friday we are packed and flying back home.  Weekend was quiet and Jim left on his way back to Columbia Monday morning. 

Monday was spent taking taking Jake to the Orthopedist in Ocala to have fluid drained off his knee.  He was a trooper.  He was told not to overuse the knee or go back to work for a week and use knee pads from now on and he should be fine. 

Tues was my turn to get results from heart monitor.  Everything came back normal ...yea!!!!  Now we get ready to unblock my left leg Friday.  Hopefully this will be with no complications this time (passing out).  Actually looking forward to be able to walk again without pain.