Thankful Thursday #199

I had a big post planned - I've had a lot of good blessings in this hard week....

but as of Wednesday night, when I'm getting this post together, I am struggling.

Bad.

& I just need your continued prayers.

I've ran into some issues with my healing.... most importantly, I am developing ANOTHER abscess.  On the opposite side where the surgery was.

So if this abscess keeps developing, then its another surgery to clear that out & then the chances of yet another fistula, which is another surgery. - to say that I'm looking on the negative & worst-case option is an understatement. It's what my year has been.

My mind, my body just doesnt feel like it can take it all over again. & it feels never ending.

I'm trying to get in touch with my surgeon today to see what I can do.....

But today, I am just thankful for your ongoing prayers.  
They matter.
I know they matter.
& they mean more than gold to me at this point.

So please continue to pray

& let me know what good things are going on in your life - because I NEED to know good is still out there for everyone else.

Update: The good, the bad & the scary.....

It's over! YAHOOO!!!! The surgery & colonoscopy is behind me!!!!!! WHOOO -HOOOOO!!!!

What an adventure the last few days have been. What an adventure still lays ahead.

Yes, I am still in pain.  But they dont cut your body open - especially in such a sensitive area - & you walk away with a strut. No, you walk away like you have been riding a horse for 6 months straight.  Pain is still pretty up there.  But I will say, its not as bad as I maybe expected?  ... maybe because I tend to think most things are dire & the end of the world. See? Sometimes that pays off - so when pain is at a level 9 on a scale of 1-10, its better to me when I was expected a level of 20.

& a lot happened in the 3 days of this go-around so I'll do a quick summary of the whole she-bang

Tuesday - Prep day

BAD - REALLLLLY BAD
There just HAS to be a better way to prep for a colonoscopy. There just HAS to be.  THOUGH - I will say, I only had to take 4 Duralax & drink a HUGE bottle of Miralax & that is so beyond better than the gallon of stuff you get from the pharmacy & mix with water that tastes like a sick, degenerated, mutated pineapple.  But still - its rough. I ended up spending half my night not only sitting on the toilet, but also throwing up into a bucket. It's tough.

Wednesday - Colonoscopy

BAD - the nurse jacked me up with trying to get the IV in. She kept moving it & rotating it saying, "I dont want to poke you again" - PLEASE - POKE ME AGAIN! & then she sent me into the procedure & the anesthesiologist tried to put me under & the IV didnt work. WHAT???? So the nurse yanked that out so super quick & got it in my other hand the fastest I've seen nurses move in my life.  Needless to say, both my hands are so bruised & still hurts to touch.

GOOD - my anesthesiologist at the colonoscopy was just the best. THE BEST. She was so kind & did everything she could to make sure I wasn't going to wake up sick or leave sick.  She spent so much time with me asking questions & even when one of the nurses said, "That's weird" when I told her a certain anti-nausea pill actually MADE me nauseated, that anesthesiologist stood up for me & backed the nurse down.  I want her with me in every surgery!

GOOD!!!!! - A clean & healthy colon - that was the results. YAHOOO!!!!! No polyps - no issues. That was such a relief.  I told my brother, I wish more than anything dad was here so he could hear that news.

Thursday - SURGERY DAY

GOOD!!!! - they were able to do the fistulotomy!!!!! So no plans on a future surgery. Apparently, everything was taken care of. .... now, I was totally doped up & have no memory of anything after the surgery so I'm anxious to see my surgeon at a post-op appt next week. Things still dont FEEL like it was all taken care of, which I'm sure its going to take awhile to feel normal - but I'm anxious to talk to her to hear more from her mouth on what she found & what went down.  I'm just glad I didnt wake up with a seton.

SCARY!!!!
So here's something new - because there's always SOMETHING, right?
They almost canceled the surgery.
Yep.... I was about ready to freak out.
I got in the back at 6am & the nurse had me get ready & then she said, "has anyone spoken to you about your blood tests in your pre-op?".... I was like, no, why?
Well.... a sort of flurry of activity started happening all around me.
They found out my blood count was at a 7.2.... SEVEN POINT TWO!!!!!!!
OK - I always knew I was anemic - but my anemia levels were usually borderline, which I knew was around 12.  Yeah - 12 is low - 10 is the lowest they really want.... & then they give blood transfusions to anyone at a 8 or below.
WHAT????????

The nurse said, "Honey, you have had to feel so bad for so long"....I have. Really bad. I've felt dizzy, light headed, my muscles cramp.... & the worst of it?  I've been so breathless. Like I cant walk up one flight of steps. & I can hardly stay awake. The nurse told me that's all part of it.
Well, that's good to know!!!!

But the issue was they were afraid bleeding in surgery would take it down in the 6's & even more scary.  They said when it gets that low, it is harder for the heart to pump all the blood  & keeps the heart rate high & can effect blood pressure- all sorts of scary things.

So they were calling in doctors, nurses, the anesthesiologist to see if the surgery could proceed or if they needed blood on stand by....all this & I'm just sitting there wondering when they were going to bring Ricky back to me.

In the end, the surgeon said this surgery shouldnt be a huge blood loss amount but they all made me promise I would get to a doctor immediately to get this checked out.

It really is always something, isn't it?
So we'll add that to the list of things to worry about & get through & figure out how to handle...

& I guess everyone was right about my obsession with eating ice....

But that's where we stand right now.  Bed bound. I'm to stay in bed, except for sitz baths 3 times a day for 2 weeks.  & I'm happy to stay in bed. It hurts to do anything else.  & I've already made 3 hats, 1 scarf & 1 head band. & I cant tell you how many Netflix shows & movies I've seen.  By 2 weeks, I'll be a knitting machine with a brain full of static.

I cant leave without staying THANK YOU in the biggest words I could scream to everyone who lifted up prayers & sent encouragement words & even care packages ... you'll hear about this on Thankful Thursday -.... YOU ALL have been the best support I could have.  I honestly & truly believe in the power of prayers & I know that's what gets me through all of this chaos - all of 2018 apparently.  If I could scream from the rooftops where you all could hear me, I would.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! 

& now... only my next knitting project & another Christmas movie .....

Here we go.... if you could pray for me?

So we're at that point.... surgery day is looming. (Thursday)

& even worse than that?  Colonoscopy day today (Wednesday).  So lots of fun is headed my way, huh?

I have to sit here & say once again, I am so thankful for so many praying friends that have lifted me up through the months in their thoughts & prayers.... & I can't be shy right now & not ask.... I really need your prayers right now.

I believe in praying specifically about things... so I'm just going to go over a few things that I could really appreciate being lifted up.

& honestly, if you are not a praying person, even if you just send me well wishes or do a quick summary of "God be with Rebecca Jo" - that's good enough too - God knows exactly what I need.

But I just want to lay out some specifics that I'm concerned & worried about.... so here we go....

Pray for the colonoscopy
This is something that's always nerve wrecking as well. My dad had colon cancer about 14 years back - they caught his early & was able to take care of it with surgery - so that's good. But I've not heeded to the call of early colonoscopies with a family member having colon cancer. My dad used to beg me to get these done every few years... he & my brother always would get them bi-annually together & he wanted me to join in with them. I never did. I said I know my dad is looking down so glad I'm finally getting on the jump of this.  ... but please pray the results of this are all OK as well & nothing is found but a good clean vegetarian eating colon.

Pray for the surgery
Obviously, huh? .... but here's the thing.  They dont really know what they are going to find until they get in there.  Again, I'm going in for a fistulotomy.  The goal is to go in & as my surgeon calls it, 'Fillet" the fistula open so there is no longer a tunnel there that is filling up with infection.  If she's able to do this successfully, there's a 97% success rate on never having issues again. JESUS - LET IT BE!!!! .....That's the goal.  BUT - if the fistula is too deep, or going into too much muscle, she won't be able to do that. .... what happens after that is she has to place a seton in - which is basically a rubber string around the fistula. Choking it to death. She will tie the fistula around it & it stays in for 6 months.  All the while, I feel this string hanging out of me.... again with all the fun.  And THEN, I'll have to go back into surgery in 6 months & then have ANOTHER surgery called a "flap" - I dont know the details of all that because I just can't. I told the surgeon, if we get to that point, THEN you can tell me about it.

I'm just praying the fistulotomy is a success & I just wasted the last 2 minutes typing all that out.

Also pray that they find the source of the pain in other areas. I'm totally convinced I have another abscess forming right now. I saw the surgeon last week & she couldnt see anything - but I also have the memory of being in the ER & had a doctor told me they didnt see anything & then I ended up in surgery 5 hours later when an abscess ruptured. So these things aren't easily seen - so hoping they see everything during surgery & take care of it all as well!

Pray for the pain
I am a wimp. I have no issues or shame admitting that.  I dont like pain. I dont enjoy pain. & the bad thing is, I know what the pain is going to be. I've had 2 surgeries in this area already & its miserable. It's week & months of walking uncomfortable, sitting even MORE uncomfortably, having issues going to the restroom, not being able to move fast, bleeding & draining. Pain to lean over or bend over.  Just pain.  I'm not looking forward to it..  So please pray that the pain is minimal.  Or I get tougher & can tolerate it better.

Pray for  finances
It's going to be really really really tough not getting paid for the time I'm off work for two weeks.  Especially when its Christmas time.  I mean, just because I won't function normally doesnt mean the world doesnt keep rotating - & by rotating, I mean, bills coming in.  It's moments like this that you have to cut & scrap by & make things work.  I've purposely put in a lot of new hats in my Etsy store just so I could try & get a little extra income while I'm off, so we'll see how that works out.  ... but pray that we dont have any unexpected expenses that can pop up & God provides.

Pray for Ricky
My poor husband has been with me in not getting any vacations or good time off work this year. He's used his time with me being a patient & he a caretaker & here we are again.  He does so much at his job anyways & is exhausted & now, he'll be taking on extra work with making sure  my baths are ready, tubs are cleaned, dogs are fed, laundry is done since I cant get downstairs.  He'll be the one picking up dinner & making sure I have lunch when he goes back to work.  Pray for patient & strength & energy for him.

Pray for the healing
I am expected to be down & out for at least 2 weeks - if everything goes OK.  2 weeks of laying in bed. That always sounds amazing when life is busy, but when its hard to lay, or you get tired of laying in the same position, 2 weeks can feel like an eternity.  So please pray for comfort in that.  We have our living room set up so I can get out of the bedroom every now & then & watch some Netflix in a different area to change it up - so I'm hoping that helps.

Pray for the dogs
Animal people - you'll get this. The dogs have to stay away from me for awhile while I have open wounds.  I have snuggly dogs that just think their lives revolve around sleeping with & ON me. They'll be confused. Harvey is the worst with this.  I always feel such 'dog mom guilt' when they aren't allowed in my bedroom or areas of the house.  Time to break out more dog treats & toys & bones to keep them occupied.

Pray for success
I just really need a win here. I've been fighting this pain since April... again, all because of a stupid sneeze.  Dear Lord.  Only me. ... but I need to feel like life can be normal again. That I can do things without thinking of how long I need to sit, stand, walk. I need to get back to working out & feeling healthy again. I WANT so badly to get back to running - never thought I'd say that.
I just miss me.  That's what hurts maybe the most to me. I just miss feeling like myself.

... & I get it, there is so much more worse things in this world & in the grand scheme of things, this is NOTHING. There are people fighting for their life today - not a little surgery that keeps you down for 2 weeks & makes you uncomfortable for a few months.  I do totally realize this.... & I try to cling to perspective on these things.

Thanks so much again everyone.... I'm not sure how my blogging is going to look over the next few days/weeks.

I'm not sure what my Thankful Thursday is going to look like... I may try & get a post up this week - & I'm not sure if I'll be able to sit up to type a post next week.... but please keep posting. I will be able to make blog rounds on my tablet (I can do that laying in bed) so I would love to see you all still posting these.  I'm really hoping to, if anything, get the link up posted here so you all can link back with me :) ....

But if you want an update on anything, feel free to message me on Instagram or Facebook - Ricky will have my phone & can send you any info you need.

.... so ... here we go......


Clinging to this song through the next few weeks....

One Sentence a Day - November 2018

November... a month full of Thankfulness... 

& gearing up for Christmas to take over everything...

Let's do this!

1.  The.rain.wont.freaking.stop!!!!!!! #mudeverywhere #6inchesofrain #wherestheark

2.  Spent Friday night at home alone when Ricky went to the UK Game with his friends & I got to enjoy a quiet house doing my Bible Study. #oldladystatus

3.  A perfect fall day when I got to go walking, enjoying the sunshine & fall colors & then had dinner with our framily & grandbuddies. #doesntgetbetterthanthat

4.  Chris Tomlin lead the worship at our church!!!! #HeisWorthy

5.  A dreary day, after the time change, calls for a stop at the library to self love my soul. #givemebooksasmedicine

6.  Election Day!!!! #Votedbeforethesuncameup

7.  Back to HSM Small Group time & loved the discussion tonight with the girls on Peter stepping out of the boat to Jesus, but still sinking. #Isthatawinorfail?

8.  Why did I buy all that Halloween candy on clearance? #justmakingmefatter

9. The cold wind felt like it was tearing my skin off!!!! #notreadyforfrigid

10.  Got up at 6am for a early morning Breakfast date. #notnightpeople

11.  You know you gotta love a small group of teen girls when the topic of conversation turns to constipation. #keepingitreal #theybroughtitup #notme

12. Dancing with the Stars bites with their voting system when the best dancers gets voted off.  #somessedup

Article right here

13. I cant believe I went to bed at 7:30pm #givingupontheday

14.  HSM Home groups canceled with an ice storm coming in. #isntitstillfall?

15.  Woke up at 2am with no electricity & every road was blocked with downed power lines & downed trees. #ThanksiceStorm

16.  Still no power #thisisdumb

Friday night in my house - complete with a winter coat & flashlight

17.  Spent the morning in the dark & cold & FINALLLLLLLY got power on around 2pm #60hourslater

18.  So sad to see my dad's covered wagon destroyed from the ice storm. #haveimentionedhowbadthisyearsucks

19.  How in the world did one of the worst dancers on Dancing with the Stars WIN the show? #aggravating #whoisBobbyBones

20.  Stayed up late to watch a gender reveal on Facebook. #twinboys

21. Confused the heck out us when our Thursday newspaper with all the ads was in our mailbox Wednesday evening. #whatdayisit

22.  Survived the first Thanksgiving without daddy. #feelssowrong

23.  Ventured out to do some Black Friday shopping & I just ended up with some yarn. #priorites

24.  Grateful they have mammograms on Saturday now. #needallmyworktime

25.  Got my Christmas tree up. #2strandsoflightsout

26.  How was it 70 degrees yesterday & snow with temps in the 20's today? #makesnosense

27.  Annual exam time! #gettingallthehealthstuffdone

28. Got to enjoy a little break in life & go to a Night of Worship at church with some of our HSM girls. #peacebestill

29. Two people out sick at work left me doing the deposit & changed to my desk all day. #nolunch

30.  We are so happy for our friends & their new house, especially because its only 2.6 miles from us. #princessplayingsoclose

So here we go into our final month.... it's going to be a doozy, that's for sure.

What was the best part of your November?

The weekend we head into the last part of the year....

It's official - we're into December.
I can't believe it... & counting down. I want 2018 behind me. ... which speaking of "behind" - its surgery week this week for me.
Cue the nerves & the anxiety & I just dont want to talk about it. Actually, I can't. Not without crying or getting choked up.  It's crazy how it instantly spurs tears.  So we'll not talk about it - & know a post is coming Wednesday about it ..... stay tuned for that fun post. (Insert big sarcasm face!!!)

At least I had one last good weekend where I could walk normal & get around....

Friday, our friend invited us over for a game night since they knew I was going to be laid up for awhile.  Send me off with pizza & games - that's how you do it!

& also, these two cuties...

We are so excited for our framily too for their new house. We got to check it out & especially love that they are now just 2.6 miles away from us. We actually clocked it to find out.

Chasity & I won our usual boy vs. girl game we play every time - Password. Anyone else play this?  This is a game we've had FOREVER. I actually still have the game from the 70's when I was a kid.  Jimmy Fallon actually plays it sometimes on his show now & I love to see more people learn to play the game.  But yeah, Chasity & I are the winners ONCE again. GIRL POWER.....

& then they taught us the game Monopoly Deal.  It's a much faster way to play Monopoly. Ricky was all about this game.  I told Ryan & Chasity they created a monster. It's all Ricky has talked about since playing.

We ended up not leaving their house till 1am...... Who are we? Young kids or something?  This is where being 2.6 miles down the road is nice instead of 35 minutes away from each other.

Saturday, it was just a lazy day for me.  I did a lot of laundry.... some cleaning... some knitting... some Bible studying.... a lot of coffee drinking....

We even took Bruno on a little outing to visit my mom.  Not sure if he knew he was in a car ride, which he used to love so much, but his ears would perk up when we would say, "Wanna go bye bye" - not sure he realized he actually WAS in the car moving when we said it.

I spent the rest of my Saturday trying to figure out my new air-fryer.  Ricky had been wanting to try one out - he's a french fry connoisseur... they are never 'crunchy' enough for him - or golden enough.  We didnt have any frozen fries so I pulled out some potatoes & hand cut some fries & gave it a go....

It wasn't too bad.  I think there's still a learning curve for me to have - but I'm trying to find some good  ideas on how to use it now.  Anyone have any tips or tricks or ideas for it?

I ended up using the rest of my Saturday night watching a Holiday Baking showing The Food Network. I get so caught up in all the holiday baking stuff.

& I guess because going to bed late the night before & sleeping in a little bit & drinking 3 cups of coffee... and add in the anxiety of the week.... I just could not sleep.  It was 2am when I finally got a little sleeping... & it was nearly 2:30am before I finally drifted off.  & then was up at 4am. UGH!

Needless to say, Sunday was full of coffee......

I headed to HSM - which left me choked up when I had to say bye to the girls. I wont see them probably any more for December since they dont have class the last 2 weeks of the year. Unless we get together outside of church - which is possible - I wont see them before the holidays.  Needless to say, we were all choked up when I was leaving.....

I then had to run to the grocery to get all the stuff I need for my colonoscopy prep this week & then some snacks knowing I'll be tucked in the house after the surgery.... didn't I say I didn't want to talk about this? UGHHHHH....

It was kinda funny though .... & awkward. The poor cashier asked me as she was checking me out, "Have any plans for this beautiful day?" & I was like, "Oh, yeah, I gotta go to a funeral".... the cashier was dumbstruck & was like,, "Oh, um. oh"... I guess I shouldnt have said that, but I didnt think anything of it when I said it, but the poor little cashier, you could tell was so speechless & didnt know what to say. Leave it to me to make a simple thing like checking out of the grocery into an uncomfortable & weird experience.....

But I did head from there to my old church to go to a memorial service for a man who was a big part of our community & a big part of our church.  There was a horrible accident the weekend our electricity was out in town from the ice storm & he was hit by a car on the highway as he was walking.  Everyone in our town knew him from walking the road.  So tragic.  Our little town has felt the loss of this staple of the familiar face we all saw on a usual basis.

The memorial service was so nice though.... & its always good to see our old church family. I always say that our church family comes together in the times of need.  We always support each other. No matter how much time goes by.  That's what church is all about.

& then it was time to start cleaning up my bedroom. I'm trying to get everything laid out so I can have everything around me I'll need when I'm stuck in that room for recovery.  Important things like my computer, & yarn & books. :) I just need to move the Keurig in there & I should last for a few weeks - I'm sure of it.

So how was your weekend?

Have you ever played Monopoly Deal or Password?

Do you like lazy weekends or 'live it up' weekends?

Tell me you make situations awkward without thinking too (please) haha

New Disney unusuals, family survival mode & babies everywhere.... {Thankful Thursday #

This week I am Thankful for:

Veggie sandwich at work
We have these "classes" or "workshops" at work every now & then to teach you something, or discuss different topics or what's going on in the community. They have some really interesting workshops.  I ended up going to one this past week & they serve lunch too - let me tell you - it was the most incredible veggie sandwich I have ever had.  & it came with fruit & pasta salad & a ginger snap cookie. ... can I tell you again how much I love my job.

News of twins
We found out this week that our middle daughter is having twin boys.  It's a complicated relationship between her & Ricky - but she has worked so hard to have these babies - SO HARD.... & even if the relationship is a little rough around the edges right now for her & her dad, Ricky & I are both so excited for her & her husband having these twins.  They are going to be gorgeous babies.... & we're praying for them & the whole family & the surrogate that is carrying them.  Just praying for so much in this area of our lives.  & if anything, the main thing is that these babies are healthy!  So excited for this little family & all the love that's going to be poured into these two little guys.

Another Grandbuddy
& on that note, we also found out that we're having another grandbuddy.  If you dont know what I'm talking about - ask - I feel like I've explained it so much, everyone knows :) .... but we found out a few weeks ago about the news & it was finally announced to the world.  So grandbabies & grandbuddies EVERYWHERE.

Leave work early
Our work let us go early from work on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Say it with me everyone.... I love my job.

Best pumpkin pie ever
Ricky isn't a huge pumpkin pie person & he even said this was the best pie he's ever tasted that I made. He even ate like 3/4 of a pie himself.  That's the highest compliment.

Beautiful Thanksgiving day
I love when Thanksgiving is sunny & warm.  & it truly was.  I know dad sent that weather for us.  I actually stopped on the drive back to my brother's house & just took in the view, the warm day & the sun shining... & I felt my daddy nearer at that moment than any other time of the holiday.

Family togetherness
I was feeling so blah & bummed about Thanksgiving.. but getting together with family - & laughing together & sharing life together - its the best way to survive, isn't it?

Long weekend
... because what's better than a 4 day weekend?

Mammogram on Saturday
That was so nice to know they schedule on the weekend now & I didnt have to worry about trying to figure out how to do it with work.

Walking in sunshine
This is probably one of the last warm days we'll get so I took advantage of it on Saturday & went walking in the park. It was crazy to see all the damage done by the ice storm there. SO many trees broken in half. ... I feel ya trees... I feel ya.

Sweet potato quinoa chili
One of the best things I make. I put it on Saturday morning before I went for my mammogram & I forgot how delicious it was.  & the leftovers are even better.

Hat fit
My friend that I serve with in HSM, she had text me & asked me to make this pixie hat for her daughter. I literally made it in a 6 hour stretch sitting on the couch & I was so thankful it fit her perfectly & looked even more adorable than I could imagine on her!!!!!

Tree up
After all the emotion & all the drama of lights out & just not sure if I even wanted  to put up a tree this year... I'm glad it's up & lit up (what lights are left).  It just feels homey & warm now in my living room.

New Disney ornaments
These are our ornaments that we got on our anniversary - our tradition that we do every year. I love unusual Disney characters that you dont see often. Sven & Baymax make me super happy this year.

What are you Thankful For this week?

Currently

Excited for:
I can't wait to see Dumplin' on Netflix! They did so well with To All the Boys I've Loved .... & Jennifer Aniston? Come on - this is going to be great. It's one of my favorite books.  I've actually got Puddin' - the follow up book - checked out at my house. I need to read it before I have to turn it back in.

Wearing
I got a new winter coat. I love my one Ricky got me last year but I found one on Black Friday for half off & couldnt pass it up. It's a little longer. & I love the color of it. Camo Green. With a big furry hood. It's funny too because a co-worker came in on Monday with the exact same coat.  I tell her we are not officially twins.

Cyber Monday
Anyone else find any deals?  I walked away from Cyber Monday with the Kristin Hannah book The Great Alone & some highlighters for my Bible from The Daily Grace Co (I've been loving them lately)... & also got the Body Boss workout plan. I've been eyeing it for awhile but its been too expensive, but it was only $39.90 on Monday.  Anxious to see how it works.

Freaking out
The flu is already running around. NOOOOO!!!!!! They just showed a map & Kentucky is already in a higher risk category than the rest of the country.  Time for me to start freaking out & using gallons of hand sanitizer & drink Elderberry like its grape juice. Heck, I'll even drink the hand sanitizer if it keeps me flu-free

Watching
I just finished watching the show on A&E about the Clinton Affair. I remember that whole mess with Monica - but man, watching it back - how unfairly was she treated?  All the women involved in telling their stories about him.  I have felt so bad for Monica Lewinsky for years - she totally got a raw deal of the way people reacted to her while Bill Clinton walked away with seemingly no hardships against him. Granted, we dont know what goes on behind closed doors - but we can all agree that Monica's life had to be affected more negatively than his over it.  No 50 / 50 her.  .... but I'm so glad to see she's making a good name for herself in speaking engagements & her work in Vanity Fair. She seems like a very intelligent & put together woman.  I found the whole series interesting.  Not sure if its out there on some sort of On Demand - but if you lived during that era, I think you'd enjoy it.

Listening 
Time to break out out the Christmas music!  I get torn between two favorites - Josh Groban's Noel - & Casting Crowns Peace on Earth.  Casting Crown's I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day is probably my favorite Christmas song... I get chills listening to it every time. 

Reading
I am so intrigued by this book that I'm reading on Netgalley... Waisted. It's got touches of Biggest Loser, but warped up a little.... & it just resonates with me how these women feel in their weight struggles. I'm hoping to finish it up this weekend.

Enjoying
Christmas lights on the tree.  There is just nothing so warm & homey as that. I still dont understand why we cant have that up all winter long to get through the dreary of the season. Though - let's remind everyone - it usually is all of Winter my tree is up, so what am I talking about ;)

The weekend we survived Thanksgiving....

Let the holidays begin.... 

& for us, let the survival begin.

It all just feels so "off"... but we're determined to make it through.

Actually, I am surprised that we all made it through as well as we did.

Now, that doesnt mean it wasn't hard.  I know I thought of dad no less than 100 times this weekend.... & I know my mom had a really hard time - as expected.  But we got together & we survived!  

We even had lots of laughter... lots of talk about my butt & upcoming surgery, which is perfect dinner conversation.... & lots of me stuffing my face with the broccoli cheese casserole.

Which by the way - here it is in all of its glory. 

It's funny because I started digging in & was like, "WAIT - I gotta take a picture of it"... & yes, I can easily - EASILY - eat the entire dish.

But let me back up.....

Thursday, we started out with mine & Ricky's tradition - going through the sales ads in the middle of the floor. We've always done it every year since we've been married.  He goes for Best Buy ads, I go for Michael's ads, & we both fight over Target ads.

I was super excited this year because there was a MASSIVE crossword puzzle in the paper too.  It made my nerd-word-heart so happy... & made me feel really old because I couldnt see the numbers in the puzzle - so I had to keep a magnifying glass near.  Geez.... a stab to the ego.

I started making my pumpkin pies & then watched the Macy's Day Parade. It's funny because later, my brother said he couldnt stand watching it because of all the Broadway stuff. I told him, that's when I sit & watch it - & when the parade actually begins, I'll just catch it passing by the TV.  We always have been total opposites so that doesnt surprise me one bit.

I loaded up the pies & we headed to my brother's....

They always do such a good job of making lots of yummies....I was in charge of pies... & Redi-whip because Thanksgiving pie just isnt the same without it.

We ended up leaving fairly early because mom just wasn't feeling like being out too long - & Tony & Juli wanted to hit up a early bird sale & Ricky & I wanted to venture  out too.

My brother & SIL got exactly what they wanted super fast.... & Ricky & I? Screwed up everything. We had gone out to look for a new Christmas tree we liked (I'm SUPER picky about trees) & got there & found out the sale for the tree wasn't till the next day. Sigh.... just our luck.

We did shop around a little bi & then Ricky was hungry & of course, options are limited - so we headed to Waffle House... which is what we did last year - my first trip ever there.  Well, this may be the last. HAHA.

It was so GROSS.  The place was filthy - I mean, it was so bad, I walked back out to my car & got my Lysol wipes because I didnt even want to sit down in the booth, nor touch the table or menu. & yes, I'll remind you that I'm a huge germaphobe - & it was a good reminder for me to just keep my Lysol wipes in my purse.

Ricky even said his food tasted disgusting.  My hash browns? I had ordered cheese on top of it & just had to laugh when I saw the one square of cheese slapped on top. 

But we definitely made a memory going there....

& then we headed to Target - & was shocked how easily it was to get through. Granted, they had been open for a few hours, but there wasn't even any lines to check out.  I picked up 2 little things & then we just headed home.

Black Friday - you can count on Ricky to go shopping at 4:00am... me? You'll find me tucked away in bed.  He called me to see if I was up at 6am & I was like, "Yep, I'll be right down & meet you"... & then fell asleep. Oops.  But I got another wake up call at 6:30 for a check-in of where I was at. Had I left yet?.... I was like, "Walking out right now" haha - But I am pretty good at getting out of the house quickly.... so while Ricky was waiting in line, I ran into Starbucks - a good excuse to delay my arrival... & then we got to do some Black Friday shopping together. - to which I still didnt get anything, except yarn.  Because that's what's important to me on a sale day.

We didnt even stay out too long & got home & enjoyed the warmer day.  

The dogs made out for Black Friday!

Saturday, I headed out to get a mammogram - who knew they schedule on Saturday now!!! - & then just didnt want to do anything. I just was in a bad mood. I was all tore up about putting up my Christmas tree. I'd want it up & then Ricky was busy & couldnt get it out & then I was like, FORGET IT - I dont want Christmas anyways.... & then the next hour I was begging for the tree.  It was a topsy turvy of roller coaster emotion.  In the end, I just sat & knitted all day & watched Christmas movies on Netflix.

Sunday, was HSM - one of the most incredible messages I've ever heard - & then Ricky & I went out to lunch - complete with dessert....

& then we finally went home to get the tree up.  & to find that we have so many lights out on the tree. I about cried. Actually, I did cry.  

I'm just so BLAH about the holidays anyways so any little thing is going to push me over the edge.

I just decided to make Christmas simple. I didnt put up half of my decorations around the house. Left the garland in the tote. Cut out a lot of little Disney things I sit around on tables.... & you know what? I think I like it better. Ricky even said it looks nicer just having minimal stuff out. It makes you really appreciate it.

We still have 2 Nativity sets out - our Mickey & Minnie figures - & our tree is overflowing with Disney ornaments - just no bows this year... & I am SOOOO thankful to not have to deal with the bows.

So yeah.... we survived the kick off of the holidays..... that's just what you do, isn't it? Life continues on.... 

We thought of dad a lot - spoke of him often - laughed at things he did last Thanksgiving ... & I ate his share of broccoli casserole. I'm a good daughter like that.

How was your Thanksgiving?

Did you Black Friday Shop?

Or even Cyber Monday shop... since I'm slacking here a day late....