Celebration of Life for Dad and a Regift

Good morning yall!  Last week was a tough week. I cried everyday and my eyes stayed swollen until this past Monday.  Last Thursday was the day my dad passed away a year ago.  I worked from home so that i didnt have to put on makeup and see anyone.  I cried pretty hard at moments.  I have to share something special with you though.
I sometimes hide precious things that mean a lot to me. My fear is if my house is ever robbed, i dont want them to find everything in my main jewelry box. Does anyone else have irrational thoughts and behaviors like that? ( I was robbed back in high school so there's a story behind my thoughts. I'll save that for another post).  I thought I had lost an amethyst pendant along with my senior class ring from high school. Its been at least 2 years since i had thought i lost them.   While working in my home office ( it's messy) on Thursday , I came across an old wooden jewelry box and of all things to found was that pendant ( along with class ring) Daddy had bought that necklace and matching earrings for me when I was in high school or early college. It was my very first set of "real grown up stones". It was funny because he got my birthstone mixed up with my grandmas. Mimi's birthday is February 17 and mine is May 17.  I can still remember the look on his face as i was opening my gift. He had his big goofy smile and his eyes were twinkling. He was as excited to give me the gift as i was receiving it. Daddy said to me " its your birthstone right? and i replied No Daddy, its even better, its Purple"!  My birthstone is emerald but i think all girls love pink and purple when they're young.   I still have the earrings and i had lost the pendant a few years ago or so i thought.  I can't help but think that was a sign from Daddy for me to find something so special that came from him on the very day i was grieving for him on his death anniversary.   I had shared this story on Facebook that day and one of my friends mentioned that he Regifted it to me. It made me smile and i needed that!  Oh and  I'm wearing my necklace right now with the pendant.

Saturday was the day of dad's party that i was not looking forward to. Quite honestly, i just wanted to put it behind me.  Funny thing is that so many of my family members and friends felt the same way. I ended up having a really nice day. It was emotional yes but it was shared with loved ones. We released 66 balloons ( Mimi had a special larger white one) and we  all read a prayer that Deb had printed out on little cards.  Then we just relaxed and shared stories about Daddy.  There are soooo many stories! Dad was one of a kind and so funny.  My stepbrother got a huge fire going outside in the fire pit and had tons of food and drink. Some of my closest friends came which meant so much to me.  My grandma Mimi was very emotional when she first arrived. She couldnt stop crying and even said she shouldnt have come.  I hugged her and told her that its good to cry on each other's shoulders. She also had a good time and was glad she came after all.   Mimi lost her only sister (aunt Edith) last month a few days after Christmas. In fact her funeral is this weekend.  I was not very close to my great aunt but i'm going for support to Mimi.

I think i've mentioned before how much i hate January right!!

A few celebrations

Good morning y'all!  How was everyone's weekend?  I had a very nice one and didn't want it to end. Saturday morning, Todd and I drove out to east Texas to spend the day with my grandma Nanny. Her birthday was yesterday and she turned 88 years old.  I bought her dozen roses that were gorgeous. One bouquet were these orange roses that were incredible. I didn't take any pictures.    

We had brunch at this little tea room that is so delicious. Home cooking and they are the sweetest ladies that work there. They brought out a piece of cake to go for Nanny and it made her day! She didn't even care about the cake but that they would do that for her.  

I asked Todd to take a picture of me and Nanny.  He's not the best picture taker because he won't tell you where to look or when , he just grabs my phone and takes it.  Oh well! 

After brunch we took her into one of her favorite boutiques to look around and then we walked across the street to go into an antique store. Nancy's leg sometimes will just give out and she also has trouble with one of her ankles. She doesn't lift her foot high enough and has fallen a few times. There were lots of uneven parts of the sidewalk and street so I grabbed her hand. We held hands across the street and what I didn't realize was that Todd was behind me taking pictures.  I am so grateful for them!! 

I love her so so much and she is so very precious to me.  

We also stopped at a few garage sales around and I bought a wooden quilt holder for 3$ y'all!!! I love junking in the country!  

Yesterday we celebrated my inlaws 50th wedding anniversary.  It was actually on Saturday but couldn't all get together until last night.  Todd's parents, Todd's brother Kevin and his girlfriend Paula and the two of us had dinner at a nice quaint Italian restaurant called Cafe Amore. It's so yummy and they have great cappuccino pie for dessert. It's heavenly!! It's frozen ice cream pie and it was 102 outside so it was perfect.  

Todd leaves in the morning to head for sturgis.  He is going to stay overnight in Nebraska and then come into sturgis on Wednesday afternoon. I fly in Wednesday evening. We packed last night because my stuff has to go with him. I will take my jacket and a helmet and walk off plane right on to the Harley.  Can't wait to have to need a jacket!! 

Hope you have a great day my blogger friends! 

Letter X- is 10 in Roman numerals

 It is really hard to think of a post on the letter X.   The symbol “X” means 10 in Roman numerology. So I am going to write about 10 things I am really happy about.

  I went to an estate sale this past weekend and really scored some fun stuff at great prices.  I stopped by on Friday on my lunch hour and only spent a few minutes there. On Saturday , they lowered the prices to 50% off everything.  Woohoo!

1. I got this bag of vintage clothes pins for only 1.00$.  I bought a small bag that had 3 in them from an antique store around Christmas and paid close to 5$.   So this purchase made me really happy!

2. I bought this beautiful ( to me) handmade full size quilt that I’m in love with.  I love the bright colors and it has orange in it. For those who don’t know, Orange is my all time favorite color!  I have an old wood ladder in my hallway that has quilts draped over the rungs.  I like being able to grab one and curl up on the couch with.

 3. I bought a wooden wine box that had pretty spools of various lace all for 5$.

 

I bought a lovely vintage lamp for only 10$.  I have seen these same lamps go for close to 50$.  And the sockets all work

1.  

   

   I bought a box of fun vintage buttons , and some spools of thread and some bias tape ribbon all for 2$.  You pay a dollar now just for one or 2 of the button sets at junk shows and antique stores. 
2. 
   

   
3. I got to celebrate my 2^nd cousin’s 40^th wedding anniversary. Dad and Deb were there and we had a fun evening.
   
   

   
4. I got a 30% off coupon at Kohl’s which really makes me happy. I rarely get those. They had a sale on house slippers where you buy one pair – get the 2^nd pair for one penny.  My dogs ate my new pair I got for Christmas so I grabbed some for me and mom.  I bought Mom a few other fun things and wrapped her package last night. I just need to go to post office and mail it to arrive by Mother’s Day. 
    
5. I started my rule again where if I buy a new shirt- I donate a shirt out of my closet.  I have a coworker that has 2 boys and her husband cant work. She is on very tight budget and never buys for herself. She loves getting my shirts and I picked out 3 for her that I think she will like.   One of them is a new one but I took the tags off and she doesn’t know.   She would get mad if she knew I bought it FOR HER so its what I do.  I love it!!
    
6. While going through some clothes last night, I also have 2 bags of clothes to donate to a charity I support: Genesis Womens Shelter .  It supports abused women who flee from their homes with nothing, and they also help provide resources for employment, and other support to them.
    
7. This Friday will be May 1.  My birthday is in May and several other friends and family celebrate in May.  I am getting older and that is a blessing! Every day to wake up and be alive is a true gift.  I celebrate my birthday all month. 
   
    

So my numbers got totally messed up. haha!!  I cant seem to fix it either.  Don't try this at home kids. 

We need to make a point to think of at least one thing a day that makes us happy. It's very easy to list the irritations.  

Happy Tuesday yall!! 

We Remember- We will NEVER Forget!

Good morning y'all! I seriously have had every intention to blog sooner this week but I have been crazy busy at work and at home.  I have missed my blog and I've missed all of you who read it!
Today's not any different on being busy so this wont be a long post. I just wanted to stop in and say hi and say that i'm OK and I will be back tomorrow.

Today of course is a monumental day in US history and one that brought much pain and fear.  Our country has never been the same since but we also saw strength in everyone banding together.
I think I post this same video every year but it NEVER gets old.  I tear up every.single. time I watch it.  Budweiser only aired it just a few times as a show of respect and not to commercialize it too much.

Today also happens to be my 19th work anniversary. Hoping that I can celebrate my 20th year with the same company next year.
Have a Blessed day y'all! Hug your friends and family- never take a single minute, day or loved one for granted. 

Labor Day weekend - Wedding Anniversary - i'm so tired

Hey y'all! Let's all do a cheer for a short work week. Woohoo!  So how was everyone's weekend? Mine was crazy busy and hectic and did I say crazy busy? Last Friday , Todd had to have some procedures that requires a driver there and back.  Oh man , was he ever funny drugged up on anesthesia! I truly wish I would have recorded him talking on our way home. Where he had to be was on other side of town and not too far  from the bakery who made our wedding cake.  So right when they took him back, I went to buy a small Italian cream cake that is the best ever.  We did not bother on keeping the first layer of cake from our  wedding cake as is tradition. We were living in apartment with very little freezer space and we also knew we were moving and didn't want the hassle. I prefer a freshly made cake and wanted it for our anniversary.
Here's our cake from the wedding:

Meanwhile later Friday evening, my stepson was playing high school football in a few towns over but we didn't make it. Todd was in bed by 8 pm.  Saturday morning, Todd listened to his voicemail and had message that Collin was in hospital with broken arm. We rushed over and was able to see him just minutes before they took him into surgery. He has broke his arm in 2 places and they had to put several pins and plates in his arm. This was very first week of school and very first game of the season. My heart just breaks for him. He's going to have a rough couple of months ahead. 

Later that afternoon, I left hospital because I had a baptism to go to. It was across town again. I put lots of miles on my truck this weekend.  Todd got home from hospital and I was done with the baptism around the same time and we met at a resturant for dinner. We had a party of 28 family members to celebrate my step- grandmothers 80th birthday . We had tons of fun and the food was awesome. It was at one of our favorite Mexican restaurants Esparzas.  When we finished dinner, Todd and I still weren't done with the evening. 

I can't remember if I had mentioned that we were setting up a good friend of mine with a friend of Todd's. It took a while for them to finally nail down a date and they wanted us to join them. We told them to get seated and order without us because we already ate but we would be there. Unfortunately , it was not a love connection. It was even kinda awkward to watch in action.  Todd's friend must have been very nervous because he drank too much and conversation was all over the place.  No sparks at all but at least we tried. My friend got out of the house and got to see us. Not a total bust. Haha! 

Sunday came around which was our actual anniversary date.  We went to church and I left after the first service. Todd plays in the band now so he has to stay for both services. Afterwards, he went to hospital to visit Collin who was being released later in the day and I went to my parents house to visit Rachelle before she flew back to Cali.   Todd and I both got home around 3 and we had dinner reservations at 5:30pm.   Dinner was outstanding!! I had ya 3oz filet and small lobstae tail and it was incredible. The resturant was so nice and brought out a huge piece of German chocolate cake for us because we mentioned it was our anniversary .  It was so delish and we were too full to have a piece of our wedding cake I bought.  

Yesterday , I made early appointment at our closest NTB and had my oil changed, and tires rotated and an alignment.  We were lazy most of the day and them went to our friends Debbie and Marks for a cookout. They're the ones who kept Jax for us during Sturgis so he got to come and have play date with his buddies.  He played so hard and slept all night through last night. He was tired! 

So now it's Tuesday and I'm so tired and didn't feel at all like we had a 3 day weekend.  I'm just thrilled that it's already September and I am going to Montana in 3 weeks to see mom. The countdown begins..... 

Have a great day! 

Wedding anniversary is almost here

Hey y'all, sorry I wasn't able to post yesterday.  I have a lot going on so its quite likely this will be the last post this week . Maybe. We'll see.  I cant believe its almost September in just a few days.  Something else is in just a few days and that's my one year wedding anniversary! Whoop Whoop!
Sunday is the actual day and we plan on celebrating it by eating dinner at the same nice restaurant he proposed to me at.  Have you ever been to a Three Forks?  Todd proposed first to me and then we ordered food.  I got so emotional that I had huge lump in my throat and then I had hot flash and was soooo crazy hot and sweaty (in December).  I totally lost my appetite and took  it home for leftovers.  My loving awesome fiancé at the time actually ate my leftover dinner for his lunch the next day and I was furious!!  I can honestly say that I have never eaten there - just had a glass of wine and got very emotional. haha!  I'm excited to have a "Do Over"  and enjoy it this time even more.  I had the scallops and they were ginormous.  I love good scallops!
This Saturday we have a baptism and a birthday party on same day for 2 different people. We will be really busy but i'm looking forward to seeing everyone. My stepsister Rachelle and my niece Paloma are flying in from California for the weekend and I love visiting with them every chance I get.
While thinking of our wedding anniversary, I have looked back at all the wedding pictures, engagement pictures and the day I picked out my wedding dress. So many wonderful memories while at the same time going through my Dad's transplant and his healing. 
I thought I would post a few pictures of some of the dresses that I tried on and were in the top running .

 

I think I tried on over 25 dresses total between the 3 places we had appointments at . What's funny is the one I chose was from the very first place we started.

 

Photos taken by the most awesome photographer ever: my cousin Lauren .

If I don't talk to yall sooner, have a wonderful and safe Labor Day weekend!!

 

3yr Blog anniversary

Hey y'all- Happy Tuesday! I'm back to work after my long weekend vacation. I took last Friday to go to Sturgis for the weekend and yesterday to recoup from the weekend.  I'm glad I did take Monday off because my flight from Denver was hours delayed and I didn't get home until after 1am closer to 2.  My friends Debbie and Mark kept Jax for us while we were gone and Debbie dropped him off on her way to work yesterday. When he got there, we played outside for about 10 minutes and then laid down for a few hours nap. I somehow broke my toenail way down on my toe and so I had to get a pedicure and they put that acrylic powder over it to help it stay put as it grows out.  After that, I pretty much stayed at home and did laundry and vegged out rest of the day.
Today is my 3yr blogging anniversary.  Honestly the time has flown by! Its funny to think how much I've learned since day one on the blog.  If you've seen the list of what NOT to do, you can bet I did all of them starting out.  I originally started the blog as an avenue to document my Dad's road with his lung disease. This time 3 years ago, Dad and Deb were heading out to the Dominican Republic to look into stem-cell treatments.  How awesome is it that 3 years later, he is doing great with a new life from his double-lung transplant?!   It was a crazy emotional roller coaster with more lows than highs and i'm glad I have them documented. It really does help to read how far we've come.
Heck, three years ago I was ending an 8 year long relationship that was very painful and now I am happily married to a whole other man that is my best friend and about to celebrate our one year anniversary at the end of this month. Changes are good.
I'm not doing any kind of special give-away or celebration for this anniversary.  I do just want to say THANK YOU for all those who have encouraged me, supported me and commented on this blog. I have some loyal readers who have been with me for a long time. I cant even tell you how much I truly appreciate you.  I love it that I actually have true friends now outside of blog world that I've met thru blogging.  To have a "Blogger family" is too awesome for words and I don't take any of it for granted.

I cant wait to tell you about my trip to Sturgis but that will have to wait until tomorrow. I'm still drowning in a sea of emails at work I have to get through.
 I'll leave you with some cute pictures that Debbie sent me while I was gone of Jax.

He's hiding under the table so the big dogs won't take his treat. 

Three black dogs eating 

Three black dogs napping

In my truck on our way to Debbie's house. 

Action shots of him running and jumping with his friends.  

Have a great day and thanks again! 

In a fog

Its Thursday and I'm so glad the weekend is close by.  Saturday is going to be a wonderful day of celebration and I'll be at Dads one year anniversary ( new birthday) of his double lung transplant.

It's hard to think that this time last year, dads health was declining rapidly and was at our desperation stage of anything and a miracle. 

This is Dad , a week after his surgery and eating a burger.  The guy next to him was the hospital priest and he's still in touch with us.  Having a burger was HUGE, the last few months leading to the surgery, dad couldn't eat because it literally wore him out.  He lost too much weight. It was awful to see him struggle. 

And here is dad last week riding one of his horses. I tear up thinking how awesome this is. 

I am currently on a medication that helps with the dizziness but I feel like a zombie. It makes me very tired and Todd said I look "checked out".  All I want to do is lay down.  Kinda hard to do when you're at the office.



Good news is that we're getting rain right now in Dallas and we so need it! Its bringing the temps down which I am happy about  it and our yard is getting watered.   Perfect napping weather.....

 

Have a great day y'all!