Safe space, bingo & I need fresh air! {Weekly Check In}

 Little snippets of the week: 

HIDING PLACE
Harvey Dent used to love his kennel. It was his safe space. So when he passed away, I had thoughts of taking it down - but Ernie was grieving so much & laying next to it - something he never did when Harvey was around (my heart hurts) .... so we left it up longer.  

I'm so glad its up still because it has a new resident. Ozzie has taken to it since Rusty has come along. I think he has found it a safe space for him too. He sleeps in it at night - I'll catch him in it during the day for a break of playing - I love seeing it get use again..... & it makes me do a double take every now & then to see a black & white dog laying in the same spot our Harvey Boy used to be in.... but glad it still offers the same calm space for any of our boys.

PREORDER
I have to really love an author - or be excited about a book to do a preorder.... but when my bloggy friend Dara posted this as a book she was excited for this summer, I nearly jumped out of my chair. I have no idea about this author - but the concept of this book.... Its about Auntie Em & her story. Yes - THAT Auntie Em! Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz's Auntie Em! .... I just think this is a cool concept. And as someone who was force fed Wizard of Oz my whole life from my mom, I'm going to have to get her a copy too.

Comes out June 17th - click HERE for book info

BINGO
Mom wasn't aware of the events going on in her Rehab center & they had Bingo one night when I was there. I said, lets go. I wanted to get her moving & get her familiar with the facility and meeting & talking with people. We got in & I pulled a chair up to a table that had 5 women & sat mom down & chatting they started.  The women ended up talking to me & having me come over & told me to stay for Bingo & I'm not one to miss playing a game. .... I had such a sweet time with these ladies.

I ended up passing out bingo cards & chips to people - just a regular ole worker there. At the end, some of the ladies had me take them back to their rooms. Happy to help. They were so grateful that they got a free ride.  I used to take my youth girls to volunteer at this facility - makes me want to go back to volunteering. Some of these people dont have visitors & they so appreciate just talking to someone.

There was one little lady that was all dressed up - had on a beautiful necklace & a big butterfly broach. I told her how beautiful her jewelry was & she just grabbed my hand & was so thankful for the compliment. Made me teary eyed. I just wanted to hug her so hard.  

PLAYING
Tell me how fast I FINALLY knew one on Connections last week! .... made me happy to see this one.  I didnt get the last two though - got the guitar one but blank after that  - I suck at this game. My brain really struggles on it for some reason.  Granted, some of the categories are just so DUMB. Like, who thinks of some of these?  

SWEET SERENADE
In the rehab center where my mom is - they have some "apartments" for assisted living.  There is one that when I walked through to visit mom, she has visitors.  (I actually met the woman who stays in this room at the Bingo)  You can see one wheelchair in the room of a lady who was visiting - but this sweet man, in the hallway - was singing - SINGING his heart out.  American Idol style.  In this area, it is like a domed round area- so his voice just echoed off the ceiling.  It was just so sweet.  I actually video taped it so I could let mom listen.... Look at this little stud charming the ladies

1000 HOURS

Still trucking along for 2025 - all the fresh air I can get! 

51 & a half hours this month & for 2025, 160 hours.  

Man... I thought I would be further along.  840 more to go... that means I need to average 140 hours a MONTH to reach 1000 hours. HOLY COW - this aint looking good.

Who knew how little time I actually get to be outside.  That depresses me so much. ....I think when you actually TRACK your outdoor time, you'd be surprised how little of it you actually get. 

I use the app called 1000 hours - made specifically for this.  It has a free feature - you can buy premium but I've never needed it. You can hit a timer when you go out & turn it off when you come in - if you forget, you can type in your time (estimate it) - you can change your time. You can go back on days & enter. Its really a nice app if you want to track it.

BOOK OF WEEK
I did this book on Audio - its on Hoopla if you're interested.  I think McFadden books are so .... dumb? LOL - they used to be really good to me - but I think she pumps them out so fast, they just are predictable & you can really sort of figure out the twists coming. & now, some of the things that happen - big, scary, gross things that happen in the book - I just laugh anymore because they're so expected & just ... dumb? That word again. So why do I always go back to her books? Because they're fast - they're easy reads - I do want a good twist & I will say - a few, she HAS gotten me on - mostly in the epilogues.  But these are like "mindless" reading - the sort of books that clear the brain for a GOOD book - OMG - that sounds so mean. But it really is a palate cleanser for me if you will. & with them being free to check out most of the times on Kindle Unlimited or Hoopla - why not?

BEREAL OF THE WEEK

Me waiting on an elevator to jet out of work at the end of the day - BYEEEEEEEE!!!

Does your dog use a kennel?

How are you doing on your outdoor time?

Have you ever played BINGO with a group?

Do you like McFadden books?

What a Cheesy Hodgepodge

 

1. What do birthdays look like in your house? How are they celebrated? Any special traditions? What about birthdays growing up? 

Birthdays really arent a big deal in our home. Both Ricky & I are in December - He is a Christmas Eve baby & I'm 5 days after Christmas.  For Ricky, its a busy day of finishing shopping & doing family Christmas. His birthday seems to always get sidelined.  I try to do something special for his day - a lunch or dinner - but its just never like everyone else's birthday.

Mine? You shouldn't work in Accounting with a birthday at year end. I'm usually working late on my birthday - or exhausted from working year end stuff & just want to relax.

Growing up - I can just remember getting to pick out dinner & the local bakery birthday cake. OH MY GOODNESS - they dont make cakes like that anymore.  Ours came from Buddy's Bakery.  Probably 8 inches tall of nothing but pure fat icing.  They were always decorated so beautiful too.

I will say - my dad was always the best - as an adult - he would always make me one of his famous sweet treats. Hershey pie always my favorite. But he'd always do something cute & fun - always special. .... Man, I miss him

2. Someone is sending you a dozen roses...what color are you hoping for? Are you someone who gets accused of seeing the world through rose colored glasses? Is your accuser correct? Elaborate. 

Ever since my wedding, Ricky always has gotten me white roses... so I would expect white roses .... over 30 years later - always white. I love it too.   They're not easy to find too - he does a good job.

I think I USED to be someone who saw the world through rose colored glasses.... um. Not so much anymore. This world has taken a crazy shift ... add in menopause - & yeah.... I miss those rose colored glasses days!

3. June 4th is National Cheese Day...will you celebrate? What's something (besides a burger) you make in the summer months that calls for cheese? 

EVERY DAY IS NATIONAL CHEESE DAY TO ME!!!!!  & to the dogs as well! They love them some cheese sticks.

We have grilled cheese a lot during the summer - & winter honestly - but its a fast snack/meal without heating up the house.  

& I love me some cheese & crackers for snacks, lunches - any sort of reason really.

Me & cheese - we're best friends.

4. 'tis the season...any weddings on your June calendar? What's the first word that comes to mind when I say marriage? 

No weddings ahead. & I'll never not hear THIS in my head when I hear the word "marriage"

Tell me you're a child of the 80's without saying you're a child of the 80's

5. What are you most looking forward to this June? 

Nothing really exciting coming up.... but there will be 2 days off work so I'll happily take that!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Did you see Sunny left the Eagle nest? ... My coworker saw it happen live & she gasped & told me it happened so she did a rewind of a few seconds so I could see it.... just been so amazing to check in on these girls. Yep - I just discovered they are both girls.  

One down- one to go. Love that Sunny came for a visit to encourage Gizmo to take the leap too.  I saw some wide shots that show mom, dad, & Sunny all in the same tree that Gizmo is still in.  This has just been the coolest experience to watch.

Soar on Sunny Girl!

Right before TAKE OFF

Weekend Highlights

 I honestly cant believe we're in the 6th months.

I saw a post that said - only 14 more weekends till Fall & I was mind blown.  That means it'll be like 10 weeks till Pumpkin flavored things explode everywhere.  Isnt that wild to think about....

Anyhoo... here's some highlights over the weekend

FRIDAY
* Ricky was on his way home while I worked from home & he asked if I wanted anything. Tell me how great apps are when I can order what I want at Starbucks & he can just zip right by & pick it up.  The future is good.  & the burst of green tea caffeine pushed me through the rest of the day.

Even got a little smiley face - I think?

* It had rained most of the day - gloomy, chilly rain - so when it finally broke & the sun came out, it was such a beautiful evening.  The clouds were just so fluffy - totally fall like clouds. I'm done with rain now for a bit. 

We had gone over & fed the horses & I sat with mom's cat for awhile.  I was just so tired & decided to stay home & rest for the evening.  

I must have been really tired because I dont even remember what I watched on TV that evening.... brain shut down

SATURDAY

GLORIOUS - I slept in. I rarely sleep in & most of the time, I dont like the way it makes me feel.  Like I missed a part of the day. Morning is my favorite time of the day - watching the world be quite & still - coming alive slowly.  But we're talking perfect sleeping in conditions. Fans on - window open & crisp cool 50 degree air - I ended up sleeping in till nearly 8am. What am I? - a teenager? ... nah - teenagers sleep till noon. But it felt the same to me. 

I made some coffee & wrote in my journal for the morning... & grabbed my book & started reading. OMG - this book is the CUTEST book. I'm really not a big fan of romance books - but this is just adorable. The perfect Rom-Com vibes - I think I laughed over a dozen times - LOUD laugh. I even choked up & cried. This was just precious. It had one part at the end that I was side eyeing - I dont care - the vibes carried it through - pure 5 star read for me.

Speaking of side eye.... look at this dog saying "you're going to read over playing with me?"

I am a serious reader too....I love annotating books with flags & highlighters... & I keep a notebook for all the books I read.  It's come in so handy to look back when someone asks about a book - I have characters & plot points & quotes... I dont play around when it comes to books. LOL

I'll have you take note of the rocks at the top of that page too.... those are all ROCKS I've taken out of RUSTY'S MOUTH! ... that dog! My goodness - he loves to chomp on some rocks.  We've dug up half of our landscaping but he still manages to find them. Drives me INSANE

I finally had to get life in order & went to do some laundry, clean & vacuum the house.... & of course, I lean down to get dog toys out from under the bed & lovely .... I hurt my knee. It only hurts when weight is on it. So if I'm standing, I can put all my weight on my other leg & its fine - but take a step - put any weight on the leg & NOOOO! .... oh well, perfect time to sit & ice it up watching some French Open. GO USA & COCO!!!!

I ended up getting more done around the house - limping the whole time - & of course more reading.... & then Ricky said, lets go get some dinner.  Works for me.  We went & took care of the horses & gave mom's cat some love & then headed out. I got some Veggie Fajitas & these were AMAZING! Broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, red peppers, onions, green beans.... I could have just eaten this straight off the frying pan with a fork - but of COURSE I'm gonna put them in a tortilla & put on some cheese, guac & lettuce! 

I left there & headed down to sit with mom for a few hours.  

She is still doing really well in rehab.  I was so happy to get her bed fixed though. She had been looking like she was hanging off the edge of it & her feet were hitting the foot board. She's not a tall woman so it never made sense.... but after getting some nurses to come look, they figured out what was wrong. They pulled the mattress back, fixed the bed adjustments & AHHH - mom looked so comfortable when I left for the night.  Sweet dreams mom!

I got home & just devoured my book.... I only had like 50 pages to go & I just left to enjoy in the morning - didnt want to rush.

Plus, I had to catch up on The Love Hotel on Bravo..... Ashley - girl - you are a mess!

SUNDAY

I slept so well again with this fresh cool air - so UN-JUNE like.  The dogs were all cuddled in bed with me & I couldn't understand why. Usually, they're with Ricky until they hear me wake up.... but I got up, went to start the coffee maker & my cell phone rings... & its Ricky. WHAT IN THE WORLD?

LOL - he was craving a Starbucks coffee so went down - at 7 am to go get one - he must have REALLY been craving it.  He asked what I wanted & I was like, works for me - put up the coffee maker!

I finished up my book waiting for him to get home with it....& perfect morning

I was playing with the dogs & straightening up & all of a sudden, see a commotion out in the back yard & that coffee must have hit just right because Ricky had a ladder out & chopping parts of our tree off. He gets in his tree cutting moods. 

He spent the WHOLE day cutting down trees - back in the woods, he took out a HUGE one. He terrifies me when he does it. He acts like he knows what he's doing - but I question it & remind him - he's gotten very LUCKY with each tree he's taken down.

I wonder if there's a school to teach how to cut down trees .... he'd love it - that's for sure. 

I started a new book & was in & out of it through the day - watched some more tennis with Shelton & Alcarez playing (those young kids are BEASTS), seeing mom, prepping for the week ahead, paying bills - the weekend just needs more than 2 days - so not fair.

I got an early shower & then spent most of the night picking ticks off Ricky where he was in trees all day. SO MANY TICKS!!!!  ....ewww....

I ended up finishing this book & can I say - NO - just NO.... not a good one. I listened to a podcast on it today & they agreed - which  makes me feel so validated.  Its noted as the next Adie Larue - I can assure you - it is NOT.  This just got a big 1.5 stars from me. & that half star is being generous.

& another weekend in the books... 

One Sentence a Day - May 2025

 

My sweet bloggy friend Leslie left me a message & said that now I'm back - am I going to do One Sentence a Day again? ... I mean, I started that EONS ago.  Just one quick snip of the day  & people took the idea & made it their own in a lot of ways & I loved seeing it.  But now... I may do this again - its the perfect memory place.

Plus, I downloaded this fun little app that you can keep a pic a day so this is handy too for memories of the month... so let's give May a try

1 - Thankful for my brother's friend who was able to go to the horses to meet with the ferrier #keepthosenailstrimmed

2 - Covering for a coworker on a Friday makes me so ready for the weekend #TGIF

3 - Spent the day at home watching the Kentucky Derby while Ricky was rocking out in the rain to Metallica in Nashville #ROCKON

4 - Rainy day kept me on the couch all day reading #gloomy

5 - Happy Graduation Day Rusty Collins! #whoseagoodboy

6 - Took the day of to get my car services & pay property taxes & snuck & saw Thunderbolts #greatmovie

7 - Finished The Grace Year & my mind is just spinning #handmaidstalePLUSYellowjackets

8 - THERE'S A NEW POPE! #americanatthat

9 - Friday is PIZZA NIGHT! #nocooking

10 - Lots of shopping & enjoying a yummy lunch with free cheesecake #yumyum

11 - Happy Mother's day where we had to wrangle up a stray mini horse that is obsessed with Baby! #hesinlove

12 - Enjoyed a walk at the park for an evening stroll #empty&quiet

13 - No coffee creamer at work forces me to do a Starbucks run #dontmind

14 - Rusty loves when I work from home just for the strawberries on my breakfast #happypuppy

15 - Covering for coworker always makes a busy day #workathomeatnight

16 - Storms tearing through above us & below us leaving devastating tornados #heartbreaking

17 - Time to go out & buy some flowers to finally brighten up our home #onsaletoo

18 - I am just sucked in a new book & have the perfect weather to sit outside & just enjoy #happyplace

19 - Mom is back in the hospital #itsbeenafewmonths

20 - Got home from the hospital to beat storms & ended up catching the rainbow that followed #nevergetsold

21 - All the take out from being at the hospital, I actually cooked dinner tonight #mushroomflatbreadpizza

22 - Finally got mom's MRI done & everything looks great! #noissues

23 - Mom got moved to rehab center from hospital #onwardandupward

24 - Went shopping before seeing mom to go pick her up some goodies while she's in Rehab #whodoesntlovenewsocks

25 - A fall like day left me reading a book I've been anticipating for awhile #goodtimetodigin

26 - Memorial Day & the unofficial start of summer is here! #yearwillflybynow

27 - Mom looked so good today when her BFF came & sat with her during the day & got her hair all combed out & braided #settledin

28 - Work from home day let me get up early & watch the last episode of The Handmaids Tale before logging on #DLTBGYD (if you know, you know)

29 -  Got mom loaded back up on snacks & drinks & she looked so good & happy in rehab today #pushingon

30 - Why is it May & still feeling like fall? #chilly

31 - Lots of cleaning, reading & visiting mom #Saturdaytothefullest

From my Photo a Day app

BYE MAY!!!!!

Protein Pancakes, no rest, & BACON? {Weekly Check in}

Some Highlights of the week: 

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW
Our front porch is just the perfect viewing place for rainbows.  Its how the sun sets right behind our house giving the front view primo seating.  This one lasted so long.  My mom said she saw it from her hospital room which is a little bit away. Glad she saw it.

We always yell "HI" to all our dogs when we see it - all those that crossed the Rainbow Bridge.  We said ever since Harvey left, we've seen so many! Truly, we have -we said he wants us to know he misses us as much as we miss him..... & now I'm crying again.

WATCHING - TV GASP
Anyone watching The Handmaid's Tale - this final season? This show usually fires me up - all the freaking RAGE! -  but the last few episodes - & especially Ep 9 .... I was literally standing up cheering & at the end, sat on the edge of my chair with my head in my heads trying not to scream & cry out loud.  One more episode to go for the end. Trying to mentally prepare.  I need to find the perfect time to watch it because I expect - & hope - the last episode is satisfying..

(EDIT: I finished the last episode this morning at 5am.... it left me so freaking emotional. ..... I feel like I need to read the actual books now. I know they're different but I know its still going to invoke the rage that encompasses the Handmaids.  Bring it on!)

LISTENING
Speaking of this show - Catching up on the podcast called "Eyes on Gilead" where some Australian ladies  recap the show. Its so fun to listen to them & their thoughts & l love their accents.    I'll be sad to not have this podcast after the end of the show. Maybe they'll still continue with the spin off show to come The Testaments - which is another book Margaret Atwood created.... let the terror on women continue!

GO TO BREAKFAST
I have such a go-to breakfast lately. I have been using Kodiak Protein Pancake mix & using it in the microwave. I used to buy some of their little cups that you add water, put in the microwave & YUMMY - but the box, I never thought to just make it yourself. The full box is at Sam's Club for like $9.99 - with 3 bags of pancake mix.  The little cups are like $2.99 a piece - so BIG difference.

I take 1/3 cup of pancake mix in a microwave safe dish - add in 1/3 cup of water - sometimes a dash of more water - mix it up to where its not so thin - but not too thick - that middle ground. Put in the microwave & put on for 1:45 - simple -& its SO HOT & fluffy.  

I usually put milk chocolate chips on top when I take it out of the microwave when its really hot - they melt on top of it & YUMMMM.... I love having strawberries on it too. Chocolate & strawberries - yes please.  & then I drizzle honey on top.

Ya know - it has protein - it has chocolate - it has FRUIT - so its officially healthy! HEHE
More so - its simple & there are worst things to eat - especially for breakfast.  The protein in it keeps me full for awhile too.  

I've seen other recipes with this same pancake mix that people put eggs & protein powder & milk for even more protein - & still put it in the microwave. I dont get that involved.  I want quick & simple.... I may try it one weekend just to see how it tastes.

BEREAL OF THE WEEK
Kind of a hot mess of me - but this was the day I stayed at home & was relaxed & read the day away.  Rusty totally into story time too.  Not really - a ball was under the table & he's willing me with his mind for me to THROW SOMETHING. His brother Ozzie taught him well.

ALWAYS WATCHING
Believe me - I play with my dogs ALL day long. We have a morning play time - we have a mid day play time- we have an AFTERNOON play time- we have a evening play time & another play time 30 minutes before dinner. These dogs are treated like ROYALTY in my house & I am just here to serve & obey their every needs.... so when I get to sit down & enjoy a book - THIS is the look I get. 

No rest for me....

I'm ok with that.

IS THIS FOR REAL?
When we went out to Five Guys on Monday for lunch - we saw everyone in front of us getting milkshakes. Ricky is the milkshake guy in our home & he said he never even realized they had them there & the ones going out the door looks pretty good.  We were looking at the menu & I was like, IS THAT SERIOUS? Bacon! Bacon? HUH? ... in a milkshake? Do people DO that? I cant even imagine.... all the others - sure! totally  makes sense. but BACON? I need someone to explain this to me.

INSTAGRAM QUOTE OF THE WEEK
This one just puts things in perspective

How's your week going?

Do you see a lot of rainbows?

Have you watched The Handmaids Tale?

Do you get BACON in your milkshake????

The weekend I was going back & forth

 So anyone besides me going to be confused what day it is all day today? All week? ... the struggle we have to endure for a day off work - totally worth it though.

Hope everyone had a nice Memorial Day!  Much thanks for all in uniform & heartfelt gratitude for all who lost their lives in service.

Jennifer Vallez Artist

My weekend was a bunch of going back & forth checking in on mom.... let's break down the long weekend.

Friday
Love my work from home day on Friday.  I really needed that extra hour of sleep after the busy week with mom being in the hospital.  

It was a beautiful day - but really cool. Much cooler than we had had lately - it felt very Fall like - all weekend really.

Finished up work & we went to feed the horses & take care of mom's cats.  Paid her bills that came in the mail for the week.  & then headed out to go check out her new digs.  She finally got moved from the hospital to a rehab center that is going to work on her strength & also on trying to get her word connection better.

She has been in this place probably more than a half dozen times - but they have changed the name - new management - so I was curious to see if anything changed.  They put her in a new wing that she hadnt been in before - but she's at the end of a hall which is very quite.  She's right across from the nurse station too so they've got a good eye on her.  Her room is really nice & spacious too & I think she's very comfortable there.

View from her room

Ricky went with me & had dropped me off while he went to check out some things & he came & picked me up & we left to go get some dinner.  Of course, Friday night, every place was crowded so we just picked up some salads to take home & eat while we finished watching the finale of Survivor.

I thoroughly enjoyed this season & sad that it's over.... & cant wait for the announcement of the 50th anniversary group - even though we still have to watch the 49th season.  Its one of those shows that really is interesting because people's personalities & thinking is so different - it plays out so differently each season.  Love watching the challenges too.  I know I would do OK in MAYBEEEEEEE 1 of them. LOL - & that's on a good day & if the wind is blowing just right.  

SATURDAY

I was up at 6:30am.... so much for rest.  I spent most of the morning reading.  I was determined to get this book done sometime today.  Shield of Sparrows.... I kept seeing it everywhere on Bookstagram & it is on Kindle Unlimited... I dove right in. I didn't realize its nearly 700 pages! But it was sooo good & I just ate it up! 

Click HERE to see the summary of the book

It was another cool beautiful day but had to put the book down a few times to get some things done around the house - laundry - cleaning - dog frisbee tossing. The important things.

I then headed back to sit with mom for awhile. I stopped at the store to pick her up some essentials.  Got her new socks, some Diet Coke bottles - because she says the cans dont taste the same -  some candy, & some new slip on shoes that she could easily put on when she goes to Physical Therapy or just for walks.  

Of course, I needed some boost in my day too & grabbed me a little snacky snack....

Mom was so happy for the Diet Cokes.  Where she's at - they have a little snack tray for the patients to grab whatever they want - so she was so happy to have some Diet Coke to wash down her snacks with.  They said she was in therapy 3 times Saturday & was doing really well.  I think she still has some confusion going on - which I personally think is from a bladder infection they were treating her for.... but that's just experience speaking - no medical training at all.  

We found a Price is Right channel on her TV & watched a few episodes together - always a fun way to pass time....Its always fun to see what year the episode is from & see the differences in prices. WHOOO BOY... the differences.

Then I headed home to pick up dinner.  It was late - & THANK GOD its light out now. When I'm leaving after 7:30 - I'm so thankful the sky is still light!  I absolutely LOATHE driving in the dark - especially when it gets back up to my town that has windy, small roads - with no street lights.  Its just the worst. I'm glad I can venture out later & have no issues driving.

I stopped by the car wash too on my way home. My car was so dirty & it has been driving me nuts. I didn't stop to vacuum it out - which it sorely needs - but at least I got some of the dust off.  Then off to just pick up Taco Bell.  I dont think we've had Taco Bell in months.   No cooking - works for me.

Got home & finished my book - SO GOOD! & then had to watch the new RuPaul's All Star episode.

SUNDAY

What a drab, gloomy, hazy day.  

Mom told me to stay home & get a break & I decided to take her up on that.  The day felt like it was telling me to stay in too. The morning started out OK - sun was coming out - but it was SO CHILLY! I was sitting outside - starting a new book - & I was only outside like 30 minutes & I was like NOPE - going inside. 

I had to put on a sweater... & it was gray & cloudy by 9am... & it stayed that way all day long.  It eventually rained too.... it truly felt like fall!  So much so that I went ahead & put in my Scentsy a good fall scent.  

I read about 75% of my book in one day.... just cozied up. My body & mind just enjoyed the relaxing day.

I finished up the night by watching the 5 episodes that made up SIRENS on Netflix.... not sure what to think about it.  Sometimes,  I thought it was a comedy - sometimes, a mystery? - at the end, I was like WHAT JUST HAPPENED?   Anyone else watch it yet...I need to discuss.

MONDAY

Excited to have a day off but my body was like, NOPE - we're on a schedule. So I was up by 5:30am

I went ahead & got up & finished reading my book since I knew I'd blow right through it.  

Ricky & I went out for lunch - stopped at Five Guys.... got my favorite. A Grilled Cheese with tomato on it. DELISH!  & their fries... it really is in the top 5 of fries.

& then I went back up to sit with mom for most of the day. 

She was in physical therapy when I got there.  The nurse walked me down to find her & man, that place was thumping! There were like 5 PT's & they had people on machines moving & grooving.  Mom had herself a 1 lb weight & was trying to lift it.  I had to laugh because that woman will carry 3 things of 6 pack bottles of Diet Coke... she has the strength there.  They just need to paint those weights as a Diet Coke Bottle & watch her PUMP IT UP!

Left there to go get some cat food & go sit with her little girl... mom is so worried she's lonely.  You can tell her cat does miss mom. When you open the door, she comes running & MEOWS so loudly.  But my brother & I have been sitting with her & making sure she's getting attention.  So thankful cats are basically self sufficient though. 

Got home & time to get everything ready for another week ahead.....weekend done.  So glad for that extra day. Really makes me wish ALL weekends were 3 days long... alas.

Did you do anything special for Memorial Day?

Where are your favorite french fries from?

Do you watch Survivor or have you watched Sirens?