Two Things

Today has me rattled a bit.

I was first hit with the news that someone I met through my ex-husband unexpectedly passed away this morning.  He was my age.  Correction, We also shared a birthday He also shares a birthday with my son.  I am in disbelief as most people are when something like this happens.  I know I have said it here before but I feel I need to repeat it again.  Today is a gift.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed.  Live your life to the fullest every single day and make damn sure your people know what they mean to you.  Tell them every day.  You may never get a chance again.  And please, please...don't live your life angry and bitter.  It only hurts you and those you love in the end.  Its not worth it people.  This gentleman I knew was a character, always happy and always joking around.  He was always kind to me and always made me laugh.  He will be missed by many.

Second rattle....

I pulled into Bucees to get gas this morning.  Just as I stepped out of my car and was trying to pump gas, a man approached me to tell me how much he loved my car.  Asked about pricing, that is was his favorite car and was thinking of getting one himself.  He told me he could tell I was so happy driving this car because I looked so happy.  I was rattled so much that I entered my pin number incorrectly and had to go inside to see the attendant to continue.  I don't know if this man was talking to me very innocently or if he had other intentions.  All I know is it rattled me.  I always try to be aware of my surroundings no matter where I am but damn, this one bothered me.  So my second message to you today is to always be aware, no matter where you are.  Don't think for a minute because you are at a busy gas station nothing will happen because it will.  This is when bad people strike.  Folks these days have their heads down on their phones or in a zone and don't pay attention.  Nothing happened to me thank goodness but just be careful  If it was nothing more than an innocent comment to me by this man, then shame on him for doing it the way he did.  He should know better!

That is all I have today.

Be thankful, be blessed and have a great weekend.

Happy Birthday Daddy

Today is my daddy's 76th birthday!! 

The pictures below are pretty recent.  Doesn't he look great?!?  

This man has been such a rock in our lives, especially after mom passed away.  He has always been there for all of us kids.  There have been times I was scared to death to tell him something but even after I managed to push the hard topic out, his reaction was always a supportive, caring one.  As we have all gotten older, family has become that much more important to us. We have all always been a pretty tight knit family, but losses and hardships along the way have made us even tighter.  We are all there for each other through the good, the bad and the ugly, and daddy is the first one to say "tell me when and where and I'm there".   

We have so much fun together in everything we do, family dinner, card games, board games, football/baseball/softball/soccer games, beach house, family gatherings...you name it, we always have fun.  

We celebrate together....the big accomplishments and the little things.  

We are a tight family and I love that about us.  I know daddy (and momma) had a lot to do with that.  My children are close to me and I hope they always are.  

Happy 76th Daddy!!  Cheers to many more!

My Crew

I was a lousy picture taker this past weekend. No pictures of activities at all.  However, I am proud of that at the same time because it means I was enjoying the moments and I didn't have my phone on me.  Its a two-fer.

I did have daddy take some pictures of me and the kids at his house Sunday.  This was what I deemed the best and currently my favorite of us...

To me, you can really see how much Christopher looks like me in this picture. One of his HS friends met me several weeks back while we were out shopping.  She couldn't get over how much he favored me, from mannerisms to looks.  I loved it.  I'm just glad he didn't get my height! 

I hope you all had a very blessed Easter celebrating he day with the ones you love most.

Love & hugs to you all.

Fridaaaaay!

It has been a long week but an awesome week.

Tony got the official word from the doctors Wednesday that he is cancer free!  The pet scan revealed no hot spots, endoscopy only revealed scar tissue and biopsy came back clear.  He has elected to watch and observe, no surgery.  This will entailed a pet scan and endoscopy every 3-4 months. Life is good!

I also received good news yesterday.  I had my follow-up from my second endoscopy.  My ulcer has completely healed, but I did still have signs of gastritis so they did another biopsy and it came back clear.  For now I will continue medication, revisit in 3 months to see how I'm doing and try my best to avoid spicy, acidic, tomato based and citrus foods and juices, you know basically everything I love to eat.  Also limit my intake of coffee, teas, soda and alcohol. I can handle this.  I am also looking into taking a yoga class.  Everything I have read about it is positive and I think it would help reduce my stress and anxiety, or at least help me to deal with it better.  Anyway, I have contacted a place to see if they offer an evening class for beginners.  We shall see.

I am super glad its Friday because that means tomorrow I get to see some kinfolks, and I also get to see momma's sisters and y'all know that makes me very happy.  I still don't have my basket complete but I think I know what else I want to put in there so I will pick those things up on my way home today.  Tonight Miss Bella and I will be making Snickerdoodle Blondies and 7-Layer Dip which is really 5-Layer Dip because we leave two of the layers out.  The blondies is a Pinterest recipe.  Marilee made them for our Canton trip back in October.  I have made them once since and decided these would be a good easy dessert to take for Saturday.  I have everything to make them so that's a bonus and plus, they are sooooo good! I have eggs and candy for Easter egg hunt for the kids, godparent gifts and godson gift.  I think I am good to go. Bella has been counting down to this day all week, and so have I.

Hope y'all have a great weekend!

Weekend Happenings

We are now in April people!  Geez Louise...before we know it summer will be here and ending and I'll begin my Christmas shopping.   I'm totally not ready for that.

This weekend began with my children going to their dad's house however; Christopher decided he didn't want to go so he stayed home.  18 now and wanting to hang out with his friends.  No surprise there.  His father agreed so he stayed while Bella went.  The break was actually going to be good for me because I have been in a funk so a quiet house is what I needed.  No big plans although I thought long and hard about making a road trip to Round Top.  I decided against it because I really didn't want to go alone.  With encouragement from my girlfriend Jenn, I went shopping Saturday hoping to find some Spring dresses.  No luck there but I did treat myself to this cookbook I have been wanting for a while...

I began reading it yesterday and have only made it through the appetizers and breakfast, but oh my gosh, I LOVE it.  This is my new favorite.  Sorry Pioneer Woman.  Its pretty and full of yummy recipes.  Easy recipes.  Some fancy, some not.  Great stories and I love the way she has the recipes laid out in each section.  Plus, proceeds go to the American Cancer Society and Cystic Fibrosis. Annnnd, I discovered we have a couple things in common.  Not only has cancer affected her family but this cookbook of hers was 20 years in the making!  I've almost caught her with my family cookbook.  LOL!!  I know mine won't be on the best seller list but it will get done and printed one day.  

I also ventured into Hobby Lobby Saturday.  This weekend we will celebrate Easter with my mom's side of the family.  I'm sure I have mentioned before that we do these family baskets at our gatherings.  You put together a basket of goodies (of your choice), spending about $25-$30.  Everyone who brings a basket gets to draw a number for a basket.  Its really fun and I love a Spring basket. I'm pretty sure I was in Hobby Lobby for a good two hours or more looking at things, picking them, putting them back, etc.  Here are some contenders...

  

Ultimately went with the round staked birdhouse in the middle picture because it was different.  I really loved the birdhouse on the bottom, wanted it for myself but I put it back.  You should be proud of me for doing that. I haven't completed my basket but I have two pieces to start it.  

I also decided to add some Easter touches to my magnolias at the house so I picked up the eggs and carrots below.  The welcome stakes are Godparent gifts.

 And here are my magnolias dressed up for Easter...

Sunday, Bella came home early so we decided to make homemade chocolate chip cookies. 

this kid is a mess...

These were a nice treat and turned out really good.  Soft and chewy, just like my babies like them.  I do too.  After we finished that, I got supper ready and in the oven.  After it came out, Bella and I let it cool and went for our evening walk.  That girl encourages me to get out and walk every night, and there are nights I just don't feel like getting out but she wants to, so mommy goes.  I always feel better when I do.

Today, my brother is at MD Anderson having his follow-up testing to make sure his treatments did their job.  Praying for positive results.

Y'all have a great week!