I can not believe it’s been so long since I had an opportunity to update.  I’m sure I’ll leave something out.  

Stephen and I still go each weekend to help my Daddy.  Mama still spend most of her time at my sister’s.  I grow less patient each week. My sister has my mama so rattled she’s always pushing buttons, accusing us of junk, and causing so much stress.  It’s crazy. 

Tbear is reading on at least a 2nd grade level and doing well in Math too, He is enjoying school as much as a 5 year old can. Cutie is in 7th grade and doing well.  She’s having to work on her own on Mondays since we are coming back from the farm then. She’s handling it well though. 

Stephen got to go to a friend’s Bachelor Party and had a blast.  I had to work so I couldn’t go to the Bachelet’s Party. I did have one tooth cut out the 21st.  Another is being cut out this Thursday.  Antibiotics when I was younger was havoc on my teeth so praying for a miracle that more teeth don’t have to be pulled. 

Our youngest son had a birthday the first of October and we took him to eat and gave him his presents.  We had a good time. 

Daddy was in the hospital about three weeks ago.  He slipped getting back into bed and couldn’t get up.  He was in acute hyperthermia by the time he was able to get to a phone and call 911.  He also had a slow heart rate so they kept him for that reason.  

Hair appointments got us all looking decent.  I’ll get “Christmas hair” right before my birthday in November.  

Oh and my BIG news.  I’m testing for my 5th Dan Black Belt the 14th.  I was supposed to test this Friday but knew I wouldn’t feel up to it having my tooth pulled the day before so I asked to put it off a week. Arthritis in my jaw makes the process more difficult and a heart murmur means antibiotics (yeah) afterwards  for a week. 

No pics b/c I just didn’t have the time to get them together. Hope all is well with y’all.

 

We managed to go on vacation.  It took all I’d saved this summer but it was worth it.  We’re stressed from all that’s going on with my parents and this is the last time Cutie will be on her own with us on vacation as next year, Tbear should be old enough to join us. We’ve had a blast. We’ve played on the beach and in the water ,found lots of shells, ate ice cream, Cutie and Stephen swam in the pool while I read, we went through the 4H Center where we got to pet an albino rat snake and allow him to smell us. We also petted a gopher tortoise.We watched a movie while eating supper (usually a sandwich) in the room each evening and Sunday just chilled at the hotel.  We visited the Ga. Turtle Center where we watched the vet doctor a baby crocodile that had been hit by a car. We visited Amelia Island, FL. because Cutie had never been to FL. It was beautiful, but Jekyll is still my favorite beach.  We saw the lighthouse, the house where Pippi Longstocking movie was filmed, got free advice from George, and found a shark’s tooth. I’m sure I left something out, but that’s okay.  Today was our last day as we leave in the a.m. (coming in the middle of the week saved me $200). We hadn’t seen any dolphins this trip so Cutie and I prayed.  Father answerd beyond as today we sat on the pier for the longest watching dolphins. We focused on one but there were at least three.  We visited shops and then Cutie and Stephen were patient while I dolphin watched again.

 I will have a tooth (well roots as the tooth broke to the gum) surgically removed on Thursday so prayers for that appreciated. 

Here’s a few pictures:

I have been meaning for a while to update but..life. Let’s see.  Our 42nd Anniversary trip was a close to perfect as could be.  We left later on Tuesday (check in was late). Stephen dropped me off at a used bookstore while he shopped for groceries.  I found two books I didn’t have. We then headed to the cabin.  It wasn’t at the top of the mountain but close.  Lovely view.  We unpacked, ate supper and I read, then watched a movie with Stephen. Later, we put the air mattress in the back of the truck and watched for meteorites.  We saw a few but it was too cloudy to see the ‘shower’. Still, something we haven’t done in a while and we loved it. 

My whole desire was to rest and read.  Wednesday (our Anniversary) and Thursday, basically I sat/laid in the swing on the porch and read until evening.  We ate out there, Stephen brought me snacks out there, and I rested. Stephen actually had a snack bowl ready for me, plus fruit and other snacks.  We made cookies one day.  Thursday, it rained so hard I had to come in early, but I read inside.  We lost electricity for a bit, but it was all good. In the evenings on those two days, we ate supper inside and watched a movie.  Friday, we had to leave right after breakfast.  We went to a nearby town to shop.  Stephen bought me a necklace and we got cupcakes from a favorite bakery of mine. We then headed to Longhorn for lunch (my contribution to the trip), stopped at a thrift store and headed home.  Once home, we still did nothing much and ate leftovers for supper.  Lovely, lovely, lovely. 

We’ve taken the kids (individually) a couple of times to the farm.  We always get them ice cream and/or let the eat somewhere special.  Tbear chooses Chick FIl A because of the playground.  Cutie varies but she chose the Varsity this past weekend. It’s a favorite of mine. 

I’ve been reading as much as possible because it’s my ‘resting’ time.  Usually this means at midnight and later.  Tbear sleeps in our room on a toddler mattress most nights we’re at home.  He’s determined to be with us. LOL.  He starts K and Cutie starts 7th grade (Home School) the middle of Sept.  

Because of Father, I’ve been able to get much done for Daddy.  He wanted a final wished letter written and funeral plans written out/people contacted.  I did that for him.  We pay the bills together as he can ‘t see but tells me which to pay when.  We got all the planning board for the rezoning/selling of part of his land done as much as we can.  Waiting on meetings he has to attend.  His and mama’s 66th annniversary is this weekend.  She’ll be there Thursday thru Monday.  I love her, but I’m not liking her (or my sister much).  Some of it, I know she can’t help, but much of it she can.  She’s gotten really self centered.  I told her, I’d no longer take her to my sister’s on Saturdays so…she’s had to find alternate ways back.  My sister had to come get her last weekend. Life. We’ve seen rainbows though.

Daddy fell a couple weeks ago as he’s getting weaker so we’ve stayed later on Mondays. Assuming he’s doing okay, we’ll leave with Cutie for a vacation the first Wed. in Sept.  We’ll be gone a week and asked my younger brother to come up (from FL) to help my parents over the weekend.  He asked off from work on Friday so he can spend a bit more time there as he has to leave early on Sunday.  

Lastly, Cutie tested for and earned her 2nd gup red belt.  She has first gup, then black belt.  I’ll be pushing her harder now. I’m super proud of her and since I’m at master level, I could ‘rank’ her.  That was cool!. 

 My Sensei told me I’d be testing for 5th soon so I assume that means in the next month or month in a half.  Woohoo.  I’m getting a bit old for this. LOL.  

Guess that’s about all.  I’ll try to get caught up with y’all. 

I’m still looking for a geriatric specialist for my mama or a good neurologist.  I believe Father will lead me to the right one.  Right now, I’m just trying to honor them both and stay fairly calm.  I’m exhausted in so many ways but this is the season I’m in and I am still grateful that both my parents are on this earth for now. My daddy seems to be handling things better as he realizes my mama’s not the same and has the beginning of some type dementia. My sister?  She’ll have a not to answer to.  Tbear goes with us this tonight for the weekend.

On the way there last weekend, we saw an evening rainbow.  It was almost 9 p.m.  I couldn’t get a good picture because of so little light.  I think it’s the first evening rainbow, I’ve ever seen.  You can’t really see the ghe green and yellows but they were there. 

We got our hair ‘done’ last week.  Tbear got a good cut, Cutie got an undercut (makes her cooler, but really can’t be seen even when her hair is in a poytail because of the length of her hair.  I got a few strips (for lack of a better word) of purple and red.  I like it.

Also I won a book from an author I read (no picture) and a giveaway from a new author.  The book is my favorite because it’s not due out until the fall.  I get a sneak preview of it.  So, after I finish reading the three books (launch team) I’ve currently got on my tbr pile, I’ll get to this one.  The tote is perfect for taking things to the farm, the towl and mug are adorable and the hat..is fun.  I’ll wear it when out and about and don’t feel like worrying about my hair (usually, I don’t do much to my hair anyway. LOL).  

Lastly, next week, is mine and Stephen’s 42nd anniversary.  Stephen scrimped and saved and got us a nearby cabin for a couple of days.  The ‘kids’ moved their work schedules around to accomondate us.  Son #3 gave us some spending money (how sweet is that? ) and we plan to go eat steak on our anniversary (Wed) and mostly just rest and ‘chill’ the next day.  That’s the prayer and the hope. 😉  

My mama is still at my sister’s but she came home overnight this weekend.  I had a firm, interesting, talk with her about not listening to others and making changes herself.  We’ll see if any of it sticks.  She is having a very difficult time remembering/understanding what is said and not being heavily influenced by my sister and her sister.  I’ll be looking for a reputable nuerologist. I won’t tell her or my siblings about an appt. until it’s time to get her. I’ll probably wait til August since she has several other appts.  My daddy is lonely, but my mama…y’all she’s just been mean and angry to the point I’ve had to ‘fuss’ at her.  I was ready to take her back to my sister’s house. Just saying.  It’s not like her to be like this..hence the nurologist. 

Since I’ve had less students, I’ve taken the kids outside more. They’ve enjoyed. it. 

Other than that..same ole busy/stress.  I have had a bit more time to read while the kids have been outside.  I sit and read and watch and then engage with them. Stephen and I have been on one motorcycle ride.  It was a really good one so that was nice. 

We were here at the farm the fourth of July.  We’d planned on going nearby to see fireworks, but they weren’t doing them until Sat. night and we took mama back b/4 they were to be set off.  We did all get a Sonic Blast and ride around though and that was nice.  They neighbors put on a pretty good show too.  There were several neighbors who set off fireworks. 

A friend of mine was coming back from her Dad’s and since the freeway was bumper to bumper, she decided to take the ‘scenic route’ which brought her close to the farm.  She came with us a couple months back, so she was semi familar with the area.  We had a great, several hours visit.  It was nice and helped me refocus on other things. 

I’ll check on y’all’s blogs and then finish packing and head to bed.  Hope to find each of you well.