Mommy plus Five

My 365...

So sick, that is this family today.  If Casey is not better tomorrow, I am definitely taking him to the doctor. I am worried he may have pneumonia, poor guy.  We had all been battling cold-like symptoms for about a week now, by yesterday, it felt more like the full-blown flu.  It hit me about 4:00pm.  Suddenly everything hurt.  My eyes, every joint in my body, every inch of me was in pain.  Even Garrett was feeling it last night, and Garrett never gets sick.  Blake came home from school today looking and sounding a lot worse too.  Just when I thought he was better...  :(

Sadly, I had to ask Amber not to bring the children by today.  That is my least favorite thing to do, but if I don't listen to my body when I am sick, it can be a disaster.  After having rested all day, I am feeling a little better this evening.  I was able to get up and fix dinner for the boys.  My joints still ache, which is kind of a bummer.  I hope this flu/cold did not awaken the mean ugly monster that is my RA.  It is important to keep that beast sleeping and quiet where he belongs.  Remission is a good thing.

It is almost impossible for me to stay well when the boys get sick.  They hover over me constantly.  Am I complaining?  Of course not, I love being around my boys.  However, today I told Casey to keep his germs to himself!

"Mom, you have got to hear this cool song/watch this amazing video!" then he hovers over me, typing on my computer.  "Dude, Facebook me the URL, I can pull it up myself."  I think I may need to invest in some surgical masks and hand sanitizer.  :P

The weather took a turn for the "blech" today too.  It has been raining, dreary and cold all day.

Until next time...

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,






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My 365...

Happy New Year's Eve!

We are enjoying a nice evening tonight, my Blake and I.  Garrett and Casey are out for the evening of course.  I made our favorite New Year's Eve snack, spinach/artichoke dip, and we will be toasting in the New Year with grape Kool-Aid. Yep, no alcohol in this here home.  We could have done Coke, Pepsi or Dr. Pepper, but that is not nearly as hilarious as grape Kool-Aid.  :)

Tomorrow I will see Brandon, Amber and the babies, and our New Year will start off on the right foot!

Have a safe and Happy New Year's Eve everyone.  See you next year.  :)

 Casey, I caught him before he went out for the evening.
 Enjoying some delicious spinach/artichoke dip on Ritz crackers.
 Yummmy!

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,






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My 365...

Since Blake is on a break from school, our sleep schedules are all backwards once again.  There is no need to be up at the crack of dawn, so why must we be in bed at a decent hour?

Take crazy, backwards sleep schedule, coupled with a growing pre-teen boy...and the kid would sleep ALL day if I let him!  He had the brilliant idea to simply not go to bed at all last night, stay awake through the morning and afternoon, and just like magic...he would be back on schedule.  Right?  Wrong!

After trying for two hours to wake him up this evening, I finally decided that the best way to get a growing boy's attention is with food.  I called our local Pizza Hut, and ordered some pizza.  I personally am NOT a fan of pizza, but the boys love it.

The door bell ringing did not wake him up.  The dogs barking like crazy...that is doorbell part two...did not wake him up.  However, me standing at the foot of the stairs and calling up....

"Blake, Pizza is here!"

Worked like a charm.  The boy went from snoring to 100 miles per hour in about three seconds flat.  I swear he leaped from the top stair to the bottom one in a single bound. ":I am awake!"  LOL, I love my boys. :)

Hope you had a great Monday planet!

Until next time...


Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,






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My 365...

Hello Sunday.  Nothing extraordinary to report today.  It has been a nice, easy, peaceful and quiet day.  I like it that way!

Until next time...

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,






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My 365...

Happy Saturday planet!  Hope you enjoyed a nice peaceful day.

Today was a beautiful, cold, clear Idaho winter day.  Our temperature just barely crawled above the freezing mark.  I feel like it has been so long since I have been out to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine, as the weather has been so cold for the past two months.  I really miss my bike rides.  Hopefully come Spring, I will not have forgotten how to ride.  I am really looking forward to my trip to McCall for the Winter Carnival in January that my son Brandon and daughter-in-law Amber are treating me to.  It is going to be an amazing adventure!

Usually about this time, I am feeling the "post-Christmas" blues.  But I don't feel that way at all this year.  Our focus this Christmas was not gifts.  Rather than concentrating on all the "wants", we celebrated all that we already "have."  No spending money we really could not afford to spend, just to give a carload full of gifts that would soon be forgotten...then stressing about finances after the season.  This year our focus was family. Being together, enjoying each other's company, being thankful for the roof over our head, and the food on our table. Glorious simplicity.  Come to think of it, I feel that way every single day of the year.  It should not take a special holiday to appreciate our blessings.  The holiday spirit should carry us through the entire year.  This year I know it will, which is why there are no blues.   :)

This evening I am making some delicious potato/lentil/carrot soup.  I had the last of the ham, and the ham bone left, so making a hearty winter soup sounded like a great idea.  It smells amazing!

Until next time...
Idaho blue skies.

  Beautiful sunset.


Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,






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Ever have one of those days?  Yep, either have I.  :)

Today I was up to my elbows in paperwork.  End of year stuff, medical pre-authorizations, taxes, retirement, (Yes, as of January 1st, this mama is officially retired...YAY!), insurance, and all that, "OMG, I HATE red tape" sort of stuff.  On top of the paper work, I was lost in a sea of...

"Press 1 for English."
"Press 2 for Spanish."
"Press 297 for Pirate Speak."
"Press 935 if you would like to jump off a bridge."

I would get to the right department, get to the right representative, go through all the information and.....*click*...dial tone.......

But you know what planet?  All is well in my world.  Just as I was ready to take option 935, "Jump off the Bridge", Garrett reminded me that life is good.  He does that my son Garrett.  I have never met a more positive, happy spirit in all my life.  He always has a smile on his face, and he keeps us all grounded.  "Thank you son."

Add Casey's never ending, ridiculously crazy, sense of humor, a giant, strong Brandon bear hug, and Blake's awesomeness, and this mama never has a reason to feel blue or upset in any way, shape or form.   Life is good.

I was just about finished with everything, as 5:00PM was quickly approaching, and my sweet hubby Jack placed a box of delicious Cordial Cherries on my desk.  Yes!  Chocolate makes everything better.  :)

Amber and the babies might be coming over later this evening.  They always make me happy.

Have an amazing weekend planet!

Until next time...



Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,






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Happy "Day after Christmas!"

Another Christmas has come and gone, and I am so thankful for the wonderful family Christmas we enjoyed yesterday.  There was one thing missing though.  I had been unable to reach my aunt Maggie in Texas for two days.  I was not worried, because I knew if something was wrong, my aunt Rita in Dallas would have let me know.  Between she and I, we make sure all is well with aunt Maggie.  Finally this evening I was able to reach her, and we enjoyed a nice long phone conversation.  We laughed together, and she sounded like she was in good spirits, so I can now say Christmas is complete.

There was another person missing from our celebrations, but not because she is not loved or welcomed...she simply chooses not to be a part of the "awesome" that is this family.  This family, who is all about love, fun, freedom from judgement and angst...and just a whole freaking lot of fun!  After several years of being sad and hurt about it, we have simply chosen to accept that it is what it is...and have moved on.  It is a situation that is completely beyond our comprehension and control, so no more worry is placed.  Perhaps some day that will be different, but again...not up to us.  :)

Today we chill!  A full day of rest and relaxation with my boys and the dogs.  Casey was off from work today, so I was able to spend some time with him which always makes me happy.  He has challenged me to a game of Starbound this evening, and all I have to say is..."It is SO on dude!"  Casey purchased himself a new speaker system, and is in charge of the music.  The music he is playing as I type this is some Ray Charles blues...followed by A Flock of Seagulls...lol.  I love it!  I am making some Queso dip, and we are going to partake in a Starbound party.  Woot!  Hey, I may be a grandma, but I am a "gaming" grandma, and I can out "video-game" just about anyone!

Until next time...

 My Casey.  :)
Casey Instagrammed this photo, and was so excited because LRG liked it!  Dude!

Peace.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Love,






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