Ooops!

I accidentally skipped blogging last week! And maybe the week before that too...

Well, it was *sort of* an accident.

Actually, i was so busy (and away half the time) that i didn't have time to blog. I TRIED to keep up with reading all the blogs i follow... I commented as i was able...

So if *anybody* out there missed me,



i apologize!



Okay, here's the story:
Boyfriend's birthday was March 31st. I posted about it earlier. We went to a Brazilian steakhouse. Daddy went with us. He had a slight limp. Hed wouldn't talk about his limp...

Guess why.

Daddy had a small wreck on his motorcycle on March 28th, but he didn't tell anybody except Z (my 20-yr old sister who lives with him). (He thought his four older children wouldn't want him to ride anymore, so he wasn't talking.)

He also wasn't telling anyone about the bad headaches he was having every day.
They finally got so bad on Sunday, April ELEVENTH(!) that he had Z take him to the emergency room. They did a CT scan and said he'd had bleeding on his brain, "but it had stopped" so they sent him home. Well...

Tuesday, April 13th his head was hurting so bad he started throwing up! So back to the ER Z took him.

Fresh bleeding on his brain, so they admitted him.

I stayed that first night with him (Tuesday the 13th).
Later, he fussed at me for "baby-ing him"!
Whatever.

They kept him 'til Thursday (the 15th).

Before all that excitement, Boyfriend & i went to Gatlinburg - April 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th. It was such a lovely trip. I blogged about it here.

Then on Apr 6th, Boyfriend had to go to Murphy, NC for his job (as far west as you can go in NC before you actually go into Tennessee), so i went with him. It was beautiful.
Late that afternoon, we got the call about Daddy being admitted to the hospital.

Then on Apr 18th, Boyfriend & i went up to Danville, Va to get some paperwork and visit his Mom & Dad.

Then on Apr 20th, Boyfriend & i had to go to Roanoke, Va to meet his oldest sister to consult with a lawyer about Medicaid stuff for his Dad.

And now (Apr 23rd, 24th, 25th) Boyfriend and i are in Beaufort, SC visiting my Mother.

Her Alzheimer's is getting worse.

And to top EVERYTHING off, she has been feeling bad today. She threw up shortly after waking up, and had a bad headache, and threw up again this afternoon.
Her husband convinced her (right before supper time!) to let us take her to the ER.
Three and a half hours later, we finally left.
They gave her an IV and some meds and she feels better.
She's had some chicken broth and crackers, and about an hour later, she's feeling better. I think her head still hurts a little, but
She's Feeling Better.


Now can i go on a little vacation?!

Or at least have a glass of wine?

Maybe a nice hot bath?

I'm not even going to mention the terrible incident that happened tonight while Boyfriend and i were trying to sit down at a restaurant to have a bite of supper!
Just suffice to say there were tears at the table next to us, and fussing and threats and drama.
It was simply one MORE thing that drained me.

My sister said i just can't seem to catch a break lately.


I'm thinking she may be a little bit right.



I know!
A professional full-body massage!
=-)

A Day Late... Make That TWO!

(Sorry! It's a long and wordy post, but there are PICTURES!!! Just scroll down to them if you're in a hurry. I'll understand...) =-)

So this past Wednesday was Boyfriend's birthday. I already told you that we went out that night to a very nice Brazilian steakhouse (Chima, in Charlotte) with family and friends.



Well, Boyfriend took off from work on Wed, Thursday AND Friday! That's B-I-G people! He doesn't take off from work very often, even though he gets FIVE weeks of vacation every year. He is way too bogged down with e-mail and voice-mail when he returns, so he dreads taking off from work because of how behind he is before he even gets BACK...



Anyway, he took off those three days, so we decided to take a spur-of-the-moment trip! That's something else Boyfriend doesn't like to do; he likes to make a plan, have a plan, and execute the plan. He likes to have reservations at hotels, and everything mapped out. He likes to know where he's going, what he's going to do while he's there, when he's coming back, and every little thing in-between! However, we took off with only a tiny, sort-of, half-baked plan...


Seriously? He made reservations at a very nice cabin in the mountains in Pigeon Forge for Friday & Saturday nights, and we left town Thursday WITHOUT reservations nor a firm idea of where we'd stay... We knew we'd stay *somewhere* in Asheville, but that was all.



The trip was very nice. As soon as we started getting near Asheville, i could only think about Mary. (She's a VERY nice lady i met at a Guild meeting. She's a quilter, quilt & beading teacher, and quiltshow judge! I fell in love with her the moment i met her! We've been e-mailing a little...) I kept wishing i had enough nerve to call her. Boyfriend & i would have at least met her (& her husband, if he was so inclined) somewhere for a glass of wine...



Alas, i couldn't find my confidence anywhere. Plus, it was starting to get dark, and Boyfriend was getting antsy about where we'd spend the night, 'cause we had NO RESERVATIONS! (Yet, still, the world did not end. =-] )

We found a hotel with NO PROBLEM (despite the fact that it was almost Easter weekend), found a nice wine bar downtown (Sante', very nice. We sat outside, and it was a *delightful* time/place!), and we left Asheville the next morning.

We drove into Pigeon Forge, found our luxurious cabin, and proceeded to drive to Gatlinburg. We walked around downtown Gatlinburg only to find out it is Myrtle Beach in the mountains (i.e. no beach!)

That's okay. We spent the day there, perusing the souvenir shops, and even found that there was a craft show happening at the convention center. Better, it was Free! =-)

We got a pizza for supper and took it to our cabin. Here's a view from the 1st floor balcony:

I doubt you can tell, but that's Dollywood just below us. We could hear the train whistle and see the smoke from it as it wended its way around. We could also see the south end of the roller coaster, and hear the people scream as it dipped, looped and whirled. And if the wind was blowing in our direction, we could even hear some of the banjo music from one of the shows. The weather was gorgeous!!! The view was fantastic! And after the sun went down, we went up on the second-story balcony and skinny-dipped in the Hot tub! =-)

(Don't worry! Nobody saw us.)

(...I don't think...)

Here's our neighbor to the left:

Yep, the cabins were built on the side of a mountain!



And *this* is how close they were to each other...









But they were situated such that you didn't really notice you had neighbors.

The next night, we got steak dinners to go and ate in our cabin as we watched the sun set:




What a view, huh? =-)



On Saturday evening, there was more color in the sky:









The lights in a line in the distance are from the main drag in Pigeon Forge:


Here's Boyfriend in the KING SIZE BED the next morning: (i'm sure he'll *love* this picture being in here! =-) )

I-40 was "out" due to a bad rock-slide, so we drove north of it on the way there, and south of it through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the way back. It was absolutely stunning, as only Mother Nature can be. =-) This was a water fall that is deceptively small-looking in this picture:

So here's a picture of the same waterfall with Boyfriend in it for scale:

I thought i found the perfect waterfall, so here's one more picture for you:

And here's a picture of a river (sorry, i don't know which one)

(Can you see the fisherman? I think he was a "professional". He had lots of stickers that looked like they were from sponsors on his SUV. He had such patience!)

We got home Sunday evening. I had laundry and chores and all that fun stuff to do, PLUS i had to catch up on my blog reading, so i'm using all that as my excuse for not getting this post out on Monday...

Or Tuesday...

Hope your weekend was great too!

=-)

Wait! What Happened to Monday?!

That's me when i was little, and hard at work...

Well, okay. So i exaggerate a bit.

But i was so busy yesterday that i didn't even think about blogging until it was time for bed, so...

No post yesterday!

I apologize sincerely!

What? You didn't even miss me?

Oh the shame!

Okay. So i'm in a kidding mood i guess.

But i have to be fast.

The HVAC guys are coming in a minute to put in our new unit.

And i'm leaving shortly after that for my Yoga class. But i just wanted to give you a quick update...

Boyfriend, Kitty & i went to my in-laws this past weekend. They're doing about the same.

And TOMORROW is Boyfriend's birthday! He'll be fifty-two. Where does the time go?!?! (He was twenty-five when we got married!) We'll be going out to a nice Brazilian steakhouse that he went to a couple of months ago and hasn't stopped talking about since. A vendor (or somebody @ work) took him and some of his co-workers, and he LOVED the place. A bunch of our friends are going with us, and my Dad, and Z hopefully. (I haven't reminded the two of them about it lately...) I'll let you know how it goes...

Have you ever been to a Brazilian steakhouse?

Apparently, they serve, like, FIFTEEN different meats!

It's male heaven, i guess! =-) (Well, if they had topless/naked women serving, then it really would be heaven to Boyfriend!)

Like i said, i'll let you know how it is.

I'd better run! They just rang the doorbell!

=-)

According to the calendar, Spring is officially here! (I should have posted this on Saturday so i'd be a little more "current"... Hmm. Oh Well!)

This past weekend we had beautiful weather on Saturday, and Boyfriend & i got out in the yard and got some stuff accomplished! Plus, he cut the grass for the first time this year. That's always a landmark time. Now it just reminds me of one more weekly chore that i'll start soon.

That's okay, though! At least i have a yard to mow. =-)

Sunday was dreary-looking, and it rained off and on. I'm not complainin' though! We had such a HORRIBLE drought in '08 that NOBODY'S complaining yet.

I hope you have a WONDERFUL week!

Next week is Boyfriend's birthday, so i'm tryin' to think real hard about what i can do for him...

I'm sure Otin has a suggestion or two! ;-)

I'm thinking about making reservations for this Brazilian Steakhouse Boyfriend keeps raving about...

Or perhaps that nice restaurant down the street that he really likes...

Or maybe i'll cook something Fancy...

Hmmm...

I'd better figure it out soon! His b'day is the 31st!

Wish me luck!

(And send suggestions if you feel so inclined.)

Have a Great Week!!!

=-)

Here's a picture Bunny took a few Summers ago. Lilies have just broken ground here, but this is what we have to look forward to:

The sun is beaming outside today, and i just couldn't leave my last post as my final post for such a beautiful and happy-looking Friday.

Tuesday was my lowest day this week. I dunno. It all just sort of stewed in me from my visit with my Mom last weekend, and Tuesday was an on-and-off crying day.

But i'm feeling better today!

The sun is out!

I did Yoga this morning (typical every morning) even though i didn't feel like going. But my favorite Yoga teacher says that

"Eighty percent of success is Showing Up!"

so i can count myself successful if i simply show up! How hard can that be, right?!

My shoulders ache from pulling weeds yesterday.
The daffodils have just started blooming, and i already have to pull weeds?! What kind of crap is THAT?!?
But i want a couple of pix of my new daffodils, so i pulled the damn weeds.
I still need to get out there with a camera...

Well, i'm off to run errands! (License plate office, pick up a dress that's been at the alterations place, drop some stuff off at the Goodwill, etc)

Wish me luck!

And enjoy your day! I hope the sun is shining for you today (at least figuratively, if not literally!)!

=-)

...

(I've prolly posted it before, but this cute pic of my Sweet dog always makes me smile...)




Wow, it's Monday again.


Boyfriend and i went to my Mom's this past weekend. She lives in Beaufort, SC with her husband of 13 years. She has Alzheimer's, and i'm beginning to think he does too.


I noticed Mom's "brain cramps" (as Mary's mom called them) are getting worse since i last saw her in January. She's always been "ditzy", but now she's forgetting what we just talked about 20 minutes ago!


I woke up at 2:20 last night in a cold sweat about her, and i couldn't get back to sleep!


I was tossing and turning, worrying about what in the world will i do if he passes before she does! I can't imagine she'll be happy anywhere other than in her own house with all her own things.


I don't know what to do!


Boyfriend says "One day at a time", but that doesn't help me at 2:30 in the morning!


I think i'm going to write a letter to Mom's husband, asking him what their plan is so far...


It's REALLY bothering me!!!





I'm going to the gym. Weights and walking should help me a bit. If only my Tuesday Yoga teacher would teach EVERY day...!

Smile! Things are bound to get better!


If they don't, at least i have Yoga!


=-)

Happy Monday!

Tonight is my Guild meeting! I'll see if i can remember to take somebody's camera, and perhaps i'll have pix tomorrow to share... No promises!

I am currently working on/pondering over the Blue WaveRunner, another baby quilt made of a "Fresh by Deb Strain" Moda jellyroll, BOM A Tisket A Tasket, and some small embroidery things. Pictures one of these days...

Have a GREAT Monday everyone!!!
=-)

Just Like You...?

I've been thinking lately...

I'm just like you.

And totally different than you.

I need shelter, food and love.

Just like you.

I think this Winter has been long enough and cold enough and had *morethanenough* snow!

Like you?

I am ready for Spring to creep in. Not too slowly, though! But not too quickly, either. =-)

I think most of us are tired of Winter this Winter...

I just wanted to share this picture with you. My oldest, Bunny, took it a couple of Summers ago when i had Sunflowers growing in my back yard. (I think i'll do that again this year!) She took the pic outside with the sky in the background. I have no idea how the background ended up white 'cause the sky was Blue... It's not Photoshopped or *anything*! I swear! =-)

How about a photo of my Clematis from a few summers ago?!

Sigh...

I miss Spring and Fall...

Just like... you?

And Now It's Monday Again...

One more pic of the "Windy" wall hanging:

Well, Boyfriend & i went to Va. Saturday to help out my in-laws, intending to come back that evening, but, of course, it didn't work out that way...
Mom-in-law was sick. We *knew* she was sick, but we didn't really know just how sick. We took her to the doctor, and she has *Pneumonia*!
CRAP!

As i sit here in my kitchen, i wonder if i'll *ever* go to see *my* Mother again...

And then i wonder if all this one-thing-after-another will simply resolve itself in Va. only to be replaced with a *new* one-thing-after-another with *my* Mother in SC!?
The craziness in Va. is REALLY bothering Boyfriend 'cause he's the kind of person who likes to have a schedule. To know what's happening next and then next after that, and what the date will be for when something will end and the date for when the next thing will begin.
He's a PLANNER!
And this thing about stuff having NO PLAN is driving him CRAZY!

Me? I'm a day-to-day, moment-by-moment kind of person, so that part is alright with me.
It's the sitting-in-the-nursing-home-all-day, doing-NOTHING that makes me want to VOMIT! That, and the way the nursing home is
SO DEPRESSING.

When's the last time you were in a nursing home?
Have you EVER been in one?
Even if it was 20 years ago, trust me, nothing much has changed in the majority of nursing homes.
They are DEPRESSING.
DEPRESSINGLY depressing.

I don't EVER want to be shushed-off to one.


OKAY!
Can i find some sunshine today?! (Metaphorically speaking, or IRL. Either one would be nice!) =-)

I'm leaving shortly to go to the YMCA for either Yoga or Zumba.
I know, i know. Those are two very different things!
But that's okay!
I'm looking for Sunshine, and i can find it at *either* place!
=-)
And then i think i'll work on a new project at my sewing table!

You go find some Sunshine of your own! Your day can only improve!

=-)

Oh Well...

I'm off once again. Boyfriend & i are headed to Virginia this morning. My Pop-in-law is in a nursing home, and my Mom-in-law is sick so she's not going to see him. That presents a problem for her 'cause she goes there EVERY day, for MOST of the day, but she doesn't want to get him sick 'cause he has enough crap to deal with now.
My PIL has Parkinsonism (some docs say Parkinsons & some say Parkinsonism. I don't know what the difference is...), and he also has brain atrophy. It means his brain is shrinking. With the Parkinsons, his limbs are getting shaky and stiff, and with the atrophy, he's losing the ability to swallow, getting demensia, etc. He doesn't remember his son & daughters anymore. It's really sad...

Every time i go to that nursing home, though, i just wanna cry. And sometimes when i'm sitting there all day, i just wanna vomit.
I'm sorry to be dumping this on you, but i feel like i have to be "the strong one" for my husband, so i try not to tell him about it. I'm sure that if i'm feeling like this, HE'S feeling it WAAAAY more.

...and then i think how, since my Mom has Alzheimer's... one day she not remember who I am.
And now i may start crying.
It's just terrible that the people you hold so close and dear all your life may have to one day face all this horrible shit! I look at my daughters and tell them that if i ever forget them, i want them to know that IS NOT MY INTENTION!!!

Okay! Now that i've cheered everyone up!
I'm sorry.
I started this simply to let you know that i'll be out of town today, and possibly tomorrow.
Plus, i worked a WEE bit on the Blue WaveRunner yesterday.
AND i worked on the label for the 60s Song wall hanging, and i'm really *thrilled* with it. I'll have to "borrow" a camera to let you see it.
I also got a jelly roll to start on a new baby quilt.
No. Nobody i know is having a baby, but it's for the future. =-)

So that's what's up in my little world.
I hope everything is going Great for YOU! =-)