A Beautiful Thing ~ Life!

I was thinking about how very blessed I am in this world. I have wonderful people that I love, and who love me in return. I walk outside and I see the beauty of nature, even in February, in the frozen North. It makes me glad when Spring arrives and brings with it the beauty of Summer. Look around. What makes you smile? What brings joy into your life? What makes you laugh with glee?

I think so often we get caught up with all the crap in life, and forget the beauty. Look around! See all that you have in your life that makes it worthwhile! It’s there. One has only to look.

If you are having trouble finding a happy place, watch this video and it will remind you of all there is to be happy about. All the wonder in life!

Weekend Wrap

The weekend seemed to rush by us, and I’m happy to report than we are both very nearly over our colds. Both of us had projects to do, and we actually got them done.

Our weather was good, and our temperatures actually warm. I simply cannot complain about that!

I cooked and did laundry, and Jack worked cleaning the ice from our driveway, and then on Sunday afternoon, we both watched the Patriots football game, and quite happily, they won!

I think my biggest grievance was watching the Patriots game and watching a Jacksonville Jaguar player hit a New England Patriots Player, injuring him. After a helmet-to-helmet collision with Jaguars safety Barry Church, deliberately injuring tight end Rob Gronkowski, “Gronk” had to exit the game. I saw it happen, and I leapt out of my chair screaming. Especially as I watched a a concussed Gronkowski stagger to his feet. I knew immediately that “Gronk” was done for the game.

The Patriots were not playing particularly well up until then, but it seemed the injury of their teammate spurred them on, and they came back to win!

But here I sit, Sunday night, and the weekend is just about over. I am finding that 2018 is flying by.

Out & About!

Friday found Jack and I actually getting out and going shopping! He had a short doctor’s appointment for his feet (all is well!) and afterward we shopped for groceries, and then we did something we haven’t done in a few months…We went out to lunch!

It was somewhat cloudy during our drive, but still amazingly pretty. I thought this because I have been house bound since Christmas and today I finally felt like I could take a deep breath!

We found some great deals at the grocery store, and tomorrow I think I will cook a nice plump chicken for our dinner. At 99¢ a pound, what can I say, such a deal, and I love a good deal!

As we were putting things into the car, I looked at Jack and asked him if he felt like going to our favorite Chinese Buffet? He was game for it, and off we went. The owner was pleased to see us, as was our favorite waitress. Again, so nice to be out and about!

When we got home I raced up to put the dogs outside, and walked them around a bit, before coming back in. I’d just taken off my coat when I heard a crash and saw Jack starting to fall up the stairs. I raced to his side and grabbed him, saw that he had scraped the top of his head on the door frame, and once I got him to his feet, helped him to his recliner and got ice for his head.

I finished unloading the car, and made him rest. After about an hour he said he was feeling better. I was so glad. I thought I was the only person who can fall up the stairs like that. Apparently not.

Life is going on, and both Jack and I are feeling well.

That means…life is good.

Have a great weekend everyone!

What I’m Up To!

We had close to a foot of snow yesterday, when all was said and done. The wind, which has been close to hurricane force, took much of this snow and rearranged it in our yard. Some places are nearly bare and others have close to two feet. It simply amazes me how the wind can rearrange things.

The wind is still blowing up a storm, but at least, it’s not snowing any more. For that I am grateful!

I stayed in today. And I may stay in again tomorrow. I think I need to let the antibiotics work and I actually have several things I need to get done. I think that this will be de-Christmas day. The window candles will get put away, as will my little Christmas tree and shelf ornaments. All dearly loved, put away for another year.

I have a new crocheting project starting next week. My first project is to make an afghan for my daughter. The pattern is a good one and I think I will be able to move right along with it, because…my next project is an afghan for one of my oldest friends.

Gail and I turn sixty this year and I want to do something special. An afghan if perfect.

Now here is the best part. While I was making Savannah’s afghan, I noticed my hands began to feel better, more limber. I have a little arthritis in the fingers, but the crocheting action really helped.

Progress reports to come!

 

Life Right Now

I woke this morning to a dusting of snow. Very pretty, couldn’t get much better, until I glanced out my window and saw this:

2017-11-14_06-52-38

Quite an amazing morning sky. As I sipped my coffee, I felt that this was a great way to start my day despite the fact that it was 6:45 AM!

The hounds were restless this morning, so I thought it was best to get up and take them out.

After a month of plugged up ears, my Primary Care doctor has referred me to and Ear, Nose & Throat doctor. I wonder how long it will take to get an appointment with them.

This is a happily busy week ahead for us. We have appointments all over the place, my 59th birthday is Friday and we are celebrating on Saturday with Mandy, Matt and the kids.

You know, no one ever tells you how wonderful being a grandmother is. I couldn’t possibly imagine loving any children as much as I loved my own, but this whole grandmother thing, is…WOW! When I see those little faces, smiling up at me, when I feel their arms around me, with the best hugs a woman can ever get, I feel like I have one the best Lottery ever!

37541343504_a0473c4b00_b 37528838044_bf606e6fd2_b

I also know I would do anything, go anywhere, to help out my grandchildren anyway I can! They have me totally wrapped around their fingers! And in the very best of ways.

You see, I really like my grandchildren. They are sweet, nice, and kind little people and the way their parents are raising them, I just know they will become incredible human beings.

Okay, enough with the grandmother bragging!

As my friends on Facebook know, Greta is not doing so well. She has a urinary tract infection, as well as geriatric problems with her hind end. We’ve started her on antibiotics, continuing the Metacam (anti-inflammatory/pain reliever, and keeping her comfortable. But very soon, I am afraid, Greta will be going to Rainbow Bridge.

Well, time for me to do my wifely duties and make breakfast! Have a wonderful day!:

Being Alone

I was thinking today about life. How each and every one of us has a very individual life, despite what we may share with family and friends.

I’ve had some moments, some times in my life, that I went through alone, with no one beside me. Be it a shopping trip, or a plane ride to see someone, or even going off to grocery shop, and stopping for a meal alone. Or even more challenging times.

The experiences are singular and we alone have the memories.

Some people might not like that idea. They’re very group oriented. And yet, it is the sweetness of our individuality, that can actually enrich our relationships with other people.

I value my alone time. My quiet time. I like to read, or write, or maybe cook something wonderful. But it’s during this time that my soul’s internal batteries recharge.

I think I was 7 or 8 years old when I realized I really liked being off by myself. Back then it was perfectly fine for your kid to ride their bike all around town. And I did.

img081 (2)

I rode to the local convenience store. Often getting bread, milk and cigarettes for my mother. Then riding home. Sometimes I rode to the beach and sat on the jetties watching the ocean.

On some occasions I had company, but more often then not I was alone. And that was just fine.

Looking back I realize the importance of learning to be alone. I never realized it until I was well into my 50’s.

Love yourself. Be happy with yourself, and the world will be full of adventures. Alone or with those you love!

The Medical Report

The last few days have been kind of crazy. Last Thursday Anneliese needed surgery on her chest. Well her Lymph gland actually. She had a growth that was causing her to limp. It was also causing her some pain and she did not want to be held.

I chose surgery for her, to get it removed. So last Thursday I drove her out, first thing in the morning, and dropped her off at the Veterinarian’s Office. The Vet noted that her teeth needed some cleaning, so I also sprung for a dental and nail trimming.

After I left her I drove back home and when I got back, Hubby came out and asked me to “doctor” his toe. He took off his bloody sock, and there was the most awful looking, infected toe that I have ever seen.

Hubby is a diabetic. The diabetes is so bad that he no longer has feeling in his feet. To him, he could see an infection, but he did not think it was bad because it didn’t feel bad.

Okay, now we could go round and round about this. But in the end, his toe was badly infected, and I knew he had to see a doctor quickly.

So, he called the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, and they told him what I had. He must come into Urgent Care to be evaluated.

He went off in one direction while I waited to hear about Anneliese.

Well, we all know that the VA doesn’t move very fast. In fact Urgent Care is definitely a misnomer. Nothing moves quickly there. So, Hubby spent most of the day waiting for care that he never got!

I picked up poor little Anneliese with her 2 inch incision (and many stitches) and met Hubby at home well after 6:00 PM.

IMG_1074 (2)

The next day, on Friday, I went with Hubby, back to the VA to see Hubby’s Podiatrist. I like Hubby’s Podiatrist. He is very good and cares very much about his patients.

He looked at the toe and cleaned it and cleared off the dead skin. Then he pointed out the ulcer on Hubby’s toe and showed me how to clean it and dress it.

So between the big toe on Hubby, and Anneliese’s belly, I have been kept quite busy as both Human and Veterinary Nurse. Both of my patients are doing well, although, truth be told, Anneliese is doing better than Hubby.

Hubby goes back this Friday to see the doctor again, and Anneliese goes back on June 15th to get her stitches out.

One thing is for certain, life is never dull!

Quinn’s Birthday & Food

I haven’t been doing very much since I got home. It’s a frustration for me and for Hubby, as neither on of us is used to having me sleeping, resting and not doing much.

Don’t get me wrong, Hubby is doing well with the laundry, cooking, cleanup and doggy stuff. But I think even he is a little sick of doing it all.

I have also had no appetite. Now this is great for a diet, but Hubby is concerned as I need protein, Vitamins, and fruits. I just don’t feel like it.

Hubby made Salisbury Steaks last night with mashed potato and wax beans. Hubby did a great job. Tonight he is cooking steak, baked potatoes and asparagus. I will only be able to eat small servings, but I bet it will taste good.

Yesterday was Quinn’s first birthday! Mandy sent me this great picture of Quinn enjoying his cake!

Quinn birthday

Happy Birthday, Darling Quinn!

Life

I woke up at 2 AM with Lili. I went to the door and it was freezing cold and there was snow on our patio. Brrrr! At 6:30 AM, I got up with all the dogs and there was no snow and when I opened the door it felt almost warm at 42 degrees!

The dogs went running out and took their time, sniffing the ground and the air and enjoyed the warmer, drier, air!

Today I want to have Hubby help me to move furniture so I can vacuum and wash under them. I figure if he can help me move things, I can do the rest. I would like to get the heavy cleaning done in the next two weeks, so that the time after that, leading up to the surgery I can work on some, more ethereal things. Like meditation, and simple chair exercises.

Today is also meatloaf day. I plan to make a large batch of meatloaf and then put two in pans. One to enjoy now and the other to enjoy after my surgery. Comfort food for me is meatloaf and mashed potatoes! (hold the gravy) What is your comfort food?

Work, Work, Work!

The weekend was very busy for me. I’m still working at thinning my stuff. Clothes, odds and ends, and getting it ready for our charity shop. I have 5 large bags filled to the brim, and more to go.

I cooked three fabulous meals. Roast leg of lamb, sirloin steak and then lamb stew. All were good and filled us up on these bitterly cold days.

My darling Quinn is now 10 months old! Can you believe that? He is such a grown up, handsome guy and I am amazed by him. It seems like just yesterday that I held him for the first time and fell in love!

15966320_10211641012962566_5970732029592638412_n

Savannah had her first big girl hair cut. Nothing too dramatic, but enough so the snarl monster is leaving her alone. She looks just adorable!

15781618_10211554474199151_6427517131189785791_n  

Have a great Monday everyone!