Having a Little Moment

Several people have done the whole "every day of November I am thankful for something" posts on FB.  Lately, I'm lucky to tell people Happy Birthday, much less what I'm thankful for! Ha!  I was under the misconception that when my kids moved away, I would have so much free time.  That was the case for a while, but then, LIFE happens, and it brings you back to reality.

My parents are 86, and up until recently were in pretty good health.  Daddy was quite spunky, still bowling, doing the grocery shopping, taking care of Mom (a full time job - LOL!), etc.  Then LIFE happened.  His kidneys got so bad, he had to go on dialysis.  His dr was so adamant that he would "feel better"  and that it would only take a few times for him to get back to doing his normal.  We have been at this for 6 months, and lives have been drastically changed, relationships have suffered with little dings, and NO, daddy doesn't feel normal!

A couple of people have told my sisters and I that we are selfish for wanting to prolong his life by "making" him do dialysis.  People, this was HIS choice, and trust me, the man is NOT doing this for us girls, but for Momma.  The love I see between these two is amazing, and one people don't see often enough any more.  

Dialysis and Old Age do not mix well.  It is very hard on Daddy, and he goes 3 days a week for 3 1/2 hours each time.  I would personally like to punch his dr, but that would get me thrown in jail, and as one of the major caregivers, that would be bad!  

We are at the point where we, the girls, do not feel comfortable leaving Momma and Daddy for any length of time by themselves.  With 3 of us out of state,  and 2 in state; 1 with children still at home, 1 with grandchildren to take care of, 1 with health issues that keep her from being able to help, and 2  with full time jobs, it is hard.  I know, most of you are saying Nursing Home, and for me that isn't an option.  That's all I have to say on that.

I'm not complaining, but I do want people to understand that a person may have an Empty Nest, but at some point, you may have to fly back home to your very first nest and help there. 

So, when you call and ask me to do something, and I tell you I can't, please understand that "me" is not really a priority right now - the creators of "me" are.

Love to all, and Happy Thanksgiving!

Sharon

What's Up Wednesday?!

A FUN new link to enjoy!!!  I'm sure if you have searched fashion, you have run on to Pinterest Told Me To pins.  Mix & Match Family is also a really neat blog to visit. Due to this new link, I have found a new blog to follow!  The Larson Lingo seems like another down to Earth blog.  This is the first time for this link, and I'm so excited to be a part of it.  The last Wednesday of the month, we will answer the same questions.

What We're Eating This Week:

This is too funny!  Gary was supposed to be out of town this week, so I hadn't really planned on a lot of meals (like I ever do)!  Anyhow, I can tell you that he unexpectedly came home today, so I made Taco Soup in the crock pot!  With just the two of us, we usually don't plan ahead.

What I'm Reminiscing About:

I've really been thinking about when things were a little less stressful (even though, at the time, I thought I was WAY stressed - little did I know)

What I'm Loving:

The fact that even though I'm always tired, I can at least fall asleep pretty quickly!  I may wake up a lot, but I still go to sleep quick!

What We've Been Up To:

Work!  Ha!  Gary has been doing that, but I have just gone back.  I've really been working on de-stressing my life, my sock drawer, and my closets!

What I'm Dreading:

All the end of the year stuff I have to do at school!  PD Logs, Inventory, Re-stocking, Straightening, etc, etc, so on......

What I'm Working On:

De-stressing and de-cluttering my life/house!

What I'm Excited About:

Summer!  This will be the first summer in a WHILE that I am NOT teaching ANY SUMMER SCHOOL AT ALL!!  I am going to offer my sub skills, but not for very many days. 

What I'm Watching/Reading:

Well, I was very upset about Grey's last week!  I cried sobbed for 15 minutes!  I'm currently reading the Daily Devotional, "Jesus Calling".  LOVE IT!!  I just finished "Still Alice".  VERY touching/emotional/heartwrenching/tooclosetohome!

What I'm Listening To:

"Let It Go"  (I really think with earlier answers, this is self explanatory)

What I'm Wearing:

For my first day back, I wanted to look/feel cute and confident.  How else do you do that but wearing RED pants?  Got these babies at Loft.  Wearing a black Polo v-neck with my jean jacket and my leopard ballet flats.

What I'm Doing This Weekend:

Really, I couldn't tell you! Ha!  Anymore, I try not to plan too far in advance.

What I'm Looking Forward to Next Month:

THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

What Else is New:

Aimie is graduating from JeffCo!!!

Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  This is such an awesome way for me to relax!  Hopefully, you will see more and more!

Sharon

Back in the Saddle

Yes, this is somewhat how I felt today!  First day back to school after the medical leave, and I didn't feel straight until about 2:30! Ha!  

This is how I felt after Gary called and said he wouldn't be gone all week, and would even be home early tomorrow evening!  WooHoo!!

Seriously, though, it felt really good to be back in my classroom again!

I think, for the most part, the kids were all very excited to see me! 

I know I couldn't have done it without the support of my admin, my co-workers, and my awesome sub, Tina - Erika's mom!  She couldn't do all the days, but she was there the majority of the time, and dealt with some of the issues that tend to come up with any typical 6th grade class!

Tina, if you happen to read this, Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!  I appreciate everything you have done for me!!!!

Because I know there were some days you felt like you had a couple of these!!! Ha!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy Monday, ya'll!  Enjoy your day!!!

Love,

Sharon

Show and Tell Tuesday: Favorite Vacations

Today, I decided to link up with Erika's friend and my blogfriend, Andrea for Show and Tell Tuesday!  I've missed some awesome Show and Tell Topics, so I may have to do a couple of those as posts! LOL!  Today's topic is Favorite Vacations.

I would have to say any vacation we take is a favorite!  We don't take them often, so when we do, it's a treat! So, you just get a recap of some (not all, because well, that would take forever!) of our vacay pics!!!

This would be Panama City in 2011.  Lord have mercy, I was a little bigger then!  This was the year Aimie turned 16 and we took her to get her belly button pierced!

This was her on her birthday!  We went to PCB the same time as our friends the Kennisons, so we all went to Margaritaville for birthday celebration!!!

This would be last year, when I took my Jr. Beta State Qualifier to Nationals at DC.  We did some sightseeing between sessions!  That was a fun time with Angie, Cade, and Baylor Long!

This isn't a vacation picture; however it is my world!  This is all the vacation I ever need!!!  I love these people unconditionally, and am truly thankful God gave them to me!

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fantastic day!!!

Sharon

Not so Normal Life Lately

So, all who know me, or have even read my blog (and didn't know me personally), know I am a teacher.  I have been a teacher for 18 years, and have taken the day off here and there for sickness, parental dr trips, even just one of those "I need a break" days.  Lately, however, my health has been causing me to take more and more, until a mutual decision between my admin and I (well, they had to convince me), has resulted in a short medical leave.

 

I have had two angiograms in the past two months, one of which showed that I did, indeed have a heart attack, and the other which showed no additional attack, same amount of blockage, and that I'm having this chest pain because, we don't know.

I go Wednesday for a procedure that doesn't even sound remotely nice; however it should at least eliminate one more possibility.  This is the part that makes me absolutely crazy!  I am not a wimp, I am not a whiner, but this is sure kicking my tail!!!

This time has given me the opportunity to reflect on A LOT of different things.  One of those things happens to be my spiritual life, or lack thereof.  I've shared before about the lack of church in our lives, but what I haven't shared is how I don't really miss it.  That's the scary part!  I have been in church my whole life!!!  Now, before you judge me, just because I'm not in church doesn't mean I don't say my prayers for whatever  or whomever I feel the need to pray, I also have a little more quiet time with God than I did before.  

After numerous conversations with God, I think I'm good with where I am right now.  Will I go back to church?  Yes, I know I will, but do I feel the need to be there right now?  No, I really don't.  Don't be sad for me, and don't condemn me, just do me the favor of putting my name in your prayers to God, that He just watch over and protect me. 

Who knows, I may just do a whole month of Church hopping starting with Easter Sunday at my Momma and Daddy's church!

Happy Thursday, thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Friday's Favorite(s)

It's Friday!!!  I'm linking up with Erika, and her gal pals, Narci and Andrea to let you in on my favorite for this Friday.

I discovered a new snack!  It is so yummy, and takes me back to California (where I tried my very first frozen banana)!  I actually walked to Baja (almost 2 miles from where our hotel was) just so I could get a frozen banana on our final day there! Ha!  When I found these, I was meandering through the frozen fruit section, because fresh fruit is sometimes kinda gross at this time of year.  

Holy moly!  These are soooooo YUMMY!!!  Being that Dark Chocolate is good for the heart, and bananas have potassium in them, how can a girl go wrong with this as a snack!  Only trouble is, I have to make myself stop at ONE PACKAGE - or I'll eat THE WHOLE BOX! Hahaha! 

Go ahead, you know you want to try them!  I can promise you won't be disappointed!!!

Happy Friday!  Thanks for stopping by!  Sorry for the late post, but it's been A DAY!  See you Monday!  Have a great weekend!

Sharon

What I Wore Wednesday?!

It's Wednesday.  The first Wednesday I'm back after I came back to the blogging world!  It's also a SNOW day, which means this chick is still in her jammies!  Will I take a picture of that to post?  Nope.  Just because that would take too much effort! Ha!

So, don't look too closely (yes, I have a line on my nose where my reading glasses sit.  no, I don't have any make up on, and yes, this is one of those "I got my crabs at Dirty Dick's tshirts"!)

Today, I think I will just relax and enjoy another day off!  This one, however, is one of those "I have nowhere to go, because I'm not driving in this stuff" days off.  I'm not sick, in the hospital, taking the parents to the dr., or even going grocery shopping (although I really should have gone to Aldi's last night....grrrr).

Today is a, Thank you Lord, for yet another day on this Earth!

 

I do have a crockpot full of chili.  The hubs is going to stop and get me a Strawberry Lemonade and a bag of Doritos (to eat with the chili). I've talked to my momma and daddy, my mother in law, and I've been texting my baby girl back and forth, I have been texting my baby boy and his beautiful wife about Shania, and I have texted/talked to all of my sisters.  I think, all in all, my day has been pretty amazing!

Thanks for stopping by!  Happy Snow Day, and Enjoy yourself!!! 

Sharon

Monday's Musings

So, the whole idea of getting back into the blogging world kind of hit a wall. 

 

On Wednesday, I took my sister, momma, and daddy to Dad's dr appt in St. Louis.  We had a lot of fun!  It wasn't what I would call a STRESSFUL day, but there were some decisions Daddy had to make about his health - dialysis or not.  Didn't get back until later in the evening, and had a lot on my mind - still not stressing, but didn't get around to blogging.  Thankfully, we weren't in school on Wednesday, so I didn't have to have a sub! Yay!!  We did get the info that school would be back in session on Thursday, so my snowcation came to an end. Boo!

Little did I know, that I wouldn't go to school on Thursday, or Friday for that matter.  I woke up Thursday at 4:30 am, and ended up going to the ER with, what felt like a heart attack, but couldn't possibly be one, BECAUSE I'M TOO YOUNG!!!!

Well, folks, I'm here to say, I'm not too young!  I had a heart attack!  At age 47!  I am not a smoker, I just lost several lbs (50), I don't exercise too much (but I do some), and I'm pretty healthy!  So, why in the world did this happen?  Who knows, but much to my dismay, I am now in the category of Heart Patient.  The good thing is, I don't have to make too much of a lifestyle change!  Mainly just watching that sodium, and getting a little more exercise than I normally do!  The biggest change that this girl is going to make?  Appreciate everything, and don't sweat the small stuff!  

Am I scared it will happen again?  Yep.  Every twinge, every odd pain, every minute, every day.  However, I do know that as I was preparing to have the angiogram, and being wheeled into the procedure room, I said, "Lord, this is all in your hands, I'm giving it all to You!"  I felt such a peace when I scooted over onto that table, and I already knew I had complete faith in Dr. Beck, so what more could I ask for? 

And Another I couldn't resist!

Here's to more blogging, less stressing, and a whole lot more Peace in my Heart!  Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

Favorite Things at Target!

Today, I am linking up with Erika and her friend Andrea and their Favorite Things at Target post.  I love both of these ladies - never met Andrea, but feel like I have because of her blog! 

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Be on the lookout, in the future, for these Favorite Things topics:

I love, love, love doing link up blogs.  They make it easier for me to come up with a topic, and I get to read others' blogs that I wouldn't normally search for! 

Today, however, I am going to tell you about some of my favorite things at Target.

Every time I go to town, if I don't stop at Target, I want to kick myself.  There is always something good at Target! LOL!  My favorite items happen to be anything on Clearance!  Don't get me wrong, I don't buy everything that is on clearance, but I do look at ALL the Clearance sections!

Last time I was in there, I found a long sleeved, white thermal shirt (to wear under several of my fun staff shirts)!  This baby was on clearance for under $5!! 

Couldn't find the exact one, but here is a similar one.

I love, love, love the Pharmacy!  Even though there is no drive thru (who needs one? I like to go in the store anyway!)  I have never had more than a 10-15 minute wait.  That makes it A #1 in my book!  As well as the fact that they have the Pharmacy Rewards program!  Every 5 scripts and you get a 5% off coupon!  When medicine is something we always get, why not get rewarded?

My all time favorite Target item would be their Red Card!  When you sign up for the Red Card, you can choose a school to receive rewards money from your purchases, the Red Card is tied to your checking account, so it's NOT a credit card!!!  The best part?  Every time you use the Red Card, you get 5% off your total purchase price!  Winner, winner, chicken dinner!!! 

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I appreciate you!  Have a blessed day, and keep your head up!

Sharon

Catching Up!

Wow!  The last time I posted was October 2014?  We are now in February 2015?  Only 4 months?  I feel as if I haven't done this in 4 ever!!! (Yeah, that was a little corny!)  I have decided, that I am coming back to this.  It makes me feel good, and it gives me a positive release.  If you were following me at all (a girl can only hope someone missed her) I'm sorry for my absence!

 

Now, to Catch Up! 

When I left you in October, I had been on yet another weight loss journey.  This time, however, it wasn't just because I wanted to feel better, look better, or even wear my clothes better.  I was perfectly fine being overweight fat! Sorry if I offend anyone, I just know I looked that way, and I ate that way.  Again, I was perfectly fine with it.  My doctor, on the other hand, was not.  He decided that I needed to lose weight because if I didn't I was going to continue to have stupid health issues.  BLAH!  He wasn't mean (like another Dr. I went to), but he was very stern and very blunt.  He put me on a weight loss drug, even though I was already yet again, a member of Weight Watchers.  Don't get me wrong, I don't mind being on WW, in fact I had lost around 70 lbs a year or so ago.  I looked and felt really good, until my gallbladder started acting up, which led to my liver forming cysts, and three surgeries, and frankly, I decided that I liked to eat again (I am a BIG stress eater).  Anyhow, here I go again - losing weight.  


                                                   

November 2014

Nothing spectacular happened.  The usual Thanksgiving celebrations, and of course, MY BIRTHDAY!!  I turned 47 in this month, and I have felt every bit of it.  Still losing weight, even though this is the biggest stress time of the year with family coming in (or not) and just a variety of factors.

December 2014

Christmas.  More stress.  More family (I love my family! We are just so LOUD! Hahaha!).  FOOD!  Oh my, the amount of temptation goodies that were in abundance.  But I still LOST WEIGHT!  I was a very good girl, counting every point, resisting the temptations, and beating this whole stress eater thing.  Then the bladder/UTI thing hits (never had any issues before).  Holy Moly, Batman!  What else??

 

January 2015

Happy New Year! My what else turned into a prolonged bladder issue (who knows, but I was once told that the body falls apart after 40.  I laughed, but now, it's not funny), as well as my Daddy ending up in the hospital and getting him all straightened out.  Can we say, lots of stress? LOL!  Yet, I still lost weight!  I've been very good about watching what I eat, simply because I want to feel good.  My liver hasn't given me as many problems, and I have been feeling good!

 

February 2015

Happy Valentine's Day!  My husband is pretty much the bomb!  He is there for me, he's there for the kids, he's there for his family, he's there for my family, he's there for his employees.  He isn't perfect,(unless you ask him! Haha!), but he's mine, and he loves me!  This little paragraph will catch you up to where I am today.  Daddy is feeling better.  We go see his kidney dr (yes, I know the technical name) on Wednesday, and I really look forward to that visit.  I have been spending a lot more time with Momma and Daddy, some of it stressful, and a lot of it not.  We went to see a couple of drs last Wednesday at PB VA and made a wheel chair train!  Laughed all the way down one of the hallways.  That is going to be a special memory I will hold on to.  

So, on that note, as February is ending and March is beginning, there are so many things I cannot wait to share!  Please enjoy this blogging journey with me, as I continue with my Empty Nest.  (Still empty, but my heart is full!)  Yes, I am STILL LOSING WEIGHT! It does get easier, who am I kidding?? I still LOVE TO EAT! Hahaha!!!

Prayers are still needed and much appreciated! 

 

See you on Monday!! Thanks for stopping by!   I promise not all entries will be this long!!!  I had 4 months to catch you up!!!

Sharon