Category: Holidays

When I think about Mother’s Day, I do think of my own Mom. Ours was a very complicated relationship, but in the end, there is love and for that, I am grateful.

But Mother’s Day also reminds me to thank God for the blessings in my life that made me a Mom and an Oma (grandmother).

I have been blessed, I tell you! I gave birth to two beautiful, intelligent, fun, and adventurous daughters. Amanda came first on December 20th, and the feeling of profound joy that I felt with her birth is something I can never fully explain. Looking into her tiny face, knowing that she was made from our love, was amazing!

Next came our Katie, on November 8th. What a surprise she was with her red hair and green eyes! She was a sweet, loving, child, and her loss is something we will never get over.

Time passed, Mandy grew up, and then on the 31st of May in 2012, my first granddaughter, Savannah Rose came into our world! A beautiful, loving, talented, imaginative, girlie girl! I look into her eyes and I see pure love and my heart swells with love. Every day, I thank God for this blessing.

And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, on the 7th of March, this year grandson, Quinn Wallace arrived! What a handsome little dude he is! Since I had never had a son, this whole boy thing is new to me, and I am just loving it.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings in this life. For my Children and for my Grandchildren. Life is, so very good!

I am sitting here, the last day of 2015 and I started to let my mind wander back over the last twelve months. Aside from a few little bumps in the road, it has truly been a marvelous year!

I’ve had lovely fun times, all year long with my family and friends, and most of all, I’ve watched Savannah grow and change, and that just fills me with happiness.

When my daughter first found out she was expecting her next baby, I was nearly bursting with excitement, but I promised to keep her secret until she was past her twelfth week.

Those first weeks were tough but wonderful because the secret was so amazingly special. (Note to self: Hubby says I use Amazing and Amazingly far too much! Must remember to limit that word in 2016) And then my cousin figured it all out and I was off the hook!   Savannah is such a gift to us all. I look at her beautiful, sweet, face and I just break out in smiles. Or when Savi sees me and come racing into my arms, I melt!  And, I love listening to her talk and tell me all her thoughts and stories.

 Christmas 

Now, we’ll be adding this sweet baby boy to our family, and knowing how totally splendid Savannah is, I imagine that her baby brother will be right up there with her. Mandy and Matt are simply wonderful parents!        

 

Lili seems to finally be settling down a bit and we discovered something truly weird about her. Most dogs can be bribed with food, cookies, carrots, etc.

Nope, not our Lili! What does our silly White German Shepherd like? Ice Cubes. Go figure! She is also delighted that the Lord above has sent her about 4 inches of snow! Lili loves snow!  

 

Hard to believe she is our old girl now! She still acts like a pup and keeps a firm paw on the other three dogs, so they all know who is boss! Her hair is getting a bit gray, but her spirit is strong.

Arnie, dear Arnie. He started out nine years ago, as the quiet, passive pup.

Easy to love, and to spend time with.  And he still is, to a degree. You see, he is now the man of the house (in the dog world) and so he had become a bit more of a show off. You definitely know he is all boy! Still my sweetheart!

And there is little Anneliese. Also nine years old, but gentle and sweet and loving. It’s quite funny, because many people do not always see this.

 

She is my bedtime cuddle-bunny. She is much smaller, than her Mother, Greta and brother Arnie. But when she walks outside with me, she has to bark in such a tough way, as if to announce that she is there, and not to be trifled with!

Hubby worked hard this year in the orchard, despite the difficult winter last year. We didn’t have too many peaches, but I did have enough to make my Heavenly Peach Jam.

Hubby has currently earned high marks in my book for bringing me McDonald’s Shakes. Especially the Eggnog ones! How wonderful the ice cold shakes feel in my throat.

Ah yes. I will mention my disc surgery, but I think I will surprise you. Most would say it was a downer to have that done, but quite honestly, it was a blessed relief! The pain before the surgery was really awful! Now, although I am recovering from the surgery, I am not in that horrid pain any longer! The timing could have been better, but through it all, I am doing really well.

So, as we bid ado to 2015, may we look forward to health and happiness for family and friends!

Happy 2016

I know it has taken me a while but finally tonight I am doing what they told me to do.  I am lying in bed with head and neck  elevated.

However,  I confess to being on my feet most of the day.

After spending all afternoon on my feet cooking, I suddenly had pain in my neck like I had before surgery.

I admit that sheer terror came to my mind! What if I blew another disc, or caused a failure elsewhere in the cervical spine!

I came into our  family room, sat on my love seat trying to figure out how to open the darn ice-bag, that might help.

Finally a friend came by, opened and filled the ice-bag. I tell you I feel totally challenged. Why couldn’t I figure this out?

And then, I did nothing. Hubby even made his own dinner. I wasn’t hungry, so I did not eat!

My turkeys were back. We are down to just six turkeys. Whether they wandered all over and a few were lost,  or they were taken by a hunter, or  few were males, searching for their own spot in the sun, and their own harem, I will never know,  but oh my, have I enjoyed having these wonderful turkeys more than I can imagine.

My Turkeys

Christmas Day was lovely.  My former husband prepared the ham & salmon, we all watched  Savannah open and play with her toys, and my  daughter finished up the rest of the dinner. It was wonderful.

  Oma and Savi. Smile!!!

  Reading a book called “Pretzel. The world’s longest dachshund!

We came home, arriving about 6:30. Tired and really sore. But full of Christmas joy!!!

This weeks Friday Five sort of centers around my neck. I hurt it a few weeks back and it became so painful Wednesday that I finally broke down and went to the doctor.

Picture courtesy of my cousin, Janet!

1. Not quite sure how I did this. With discs, as you get older, you can move the wrong way and blow one out!
2. Wednesday it was so bad, I broke down and finally admitted it was just getting worse.
3. Well, here we are during the holidays and I am waiting for an appointment for an MRI.
4. Meanwhile, I am living a quiet life. Thankfully my cousins, Janet & Dave came up and helped Hubby prepare Thanksgiving for the four of us.
5. I am so thankful for the love and support of my family, as well as the pain pills that are keeping me comfortable!

I went out to the store early and decided to splurge and get Lobster for Hubby and I for our celebration for the 4th of July.

I didn’t tell Hubby, and I waited until he went out to work on the fruit trees before getting it all ready.

Lobster, boiled Calfornia New Potatoes and Corn on the Cob! A perfect holiday meal. I even went one step further and bought champagne to toast to our country’s Independence!

Aside from all that, the day was quiet, and I worked on getting the eggs ready for tomorrow. Mandy is having a cookout, and I am bringing deviled eggs. Those and some fancy nuts, and my own bread and butter pickles!

I love it when holidays get stretched over a few days!