Lazy Days

 

I was pretty lazy in January. 

I did, however, make these yummy puppy dog pancakes. 

I didn't do much crafting but took some time off and did more planning. I'm still hoping I will be able to get the vaccine and life will go back to normal.

It's cold in the sanctuary so Jimi isn't able to do much work over there. He spends most of his time in the apartment finding little things to stay busy with.

Christmas

 WOW

I would have thought I'd learn my lesson after being to disappointed about not getting pictures for Thanksgiving, but Oooop I did it again. Here we are with Christmas and nooooo pictures.

Earlier in the month Jimi and I delivered Christmas presents to Uncle Lavern's so he can give to his children, grand children and great grand children. This will be their first Christmas without Aunt Carol.

On Christmas Eve we wore our ugly sweaters and had a white elephant gift exchange with my parents, great niece, her boyfriend and her grandfather. It was small group, we distanced and I wore a mask (no one else did). We had such a good time. Jimi and I agree that Brittany brought the best white elephant gifts.

Afterwards, before everyone went home, Brittany and Benson included us in choosing the spelling of their baby's name. We all voted and the spelling will be Zayleigh. She is due the beginning of January.

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year

Thanksgiving

 

Home for Thanksgiving this year. I don't know the last time I was home for Thanksgiving. The last one I remember is 2015. So home for Thanksgiving and not one picture - not a single one. Really???

Well anyhow, we had a pretty great day. I made a full traditional dinner and then Jimi and I ate alone.

We then boxed up meals and delivered them to my sister in Orleans and Jimi's brother, Jeff and wife Karen.

When we got back home we went over to my parents and visited with them for a little while.

It was a day of gratitude for sure. We are thankful for the people in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pluggin away

 

I'm working my little fingers to the bone trying to get ready for Christmas. I'm added additional people to my list this year as well.

We have gotten our first snow for the season. I love the snow (just not the cold)

We went to Omaha for my annual MRIs and Doctor appointment. The visit went very well. I am still in remission and no relapses showed up on the MRIs. 

My mom gave me this old cabinet. I'm excited to restore it and use it as a fabric closet.

I am very happy how it turned out.

And BTW orders from my Etsy shop started coming in. It's all Christmas related. :-) 

Aubree blessings

 

We finally broke down and bought a new refrigerator for our apartment. It seems smaller, but I think we'll adapt and hoping it will be quieter.

I'm kind of at a lose of what to report on. I've stepped up production even though I don't have any craft fairs to attend and my Etsy shop isn't moving any product.

I've gone out to visit my Uncle Lavern a few times. My parents have gone with me and Jimi as well. Jimi went up to Seattle on his motorcycle to visit his long time buddy Juraj. He was gone about two weeks.

I'm looking forward to fall coming and planning to decorate. And I'm also planning a lot of homemade Christmas presents since we'll be staying here this winter. I haven't been home for Christmas since 2016, so it's about time although I don't know how much fun it's going to be with covid as bad as it it.

Just after losing Melody, Aubree came to stay with us for a few days and we stayed very busy. I have tons of pictures to share.

We took Aubree to the pumpkin patch

We made cake pops

We went to the park

and Aubree got to ride Grandpas electric skateboard.

She talked me out of another tutu set and insisted she sleep in it.

We played wack a mole

Grandpa read the news to Aubree

We visited GG (Great Grandma) and played.

Please tell me it's not real

 

I lost my best friend to cancer last night.

Melody Chrysler Dill, girl I miss you!

I’m thankful I was able to speak to her just before she passed and tell her how much I love her and miss her. And though we’ve known this day was coming, it doesn’t make it any easier. For 20 years she was my friend and confidant. We laughed together and cried together, we could tell each other anything, we were in each other’s back pockets and so were our children when they were younger. She raised two amazing daughters whom are like my own and she was over the top with excitement when she found out she would be a grandmother. Little Quinn brought her so much love and enjoyment in her final eighteen months.

Melody was the picture of grace – patient, caring, loving and kind and she was the best listener ever. I always marveled at her taste in decorating and gardening.

In 2015 she was reunited with her childhood crush and found her happily ever after. But that happily ever after was stolen from her by cancer. I know all her family will miss her – I will miss her. Honestly, I’m having a very hard time with this. Her daughter told me “time heals”, but right now I’m wondering how that’s possible and what it looks like.

She was my sister – my family hers and her family mine. All my love and prayers to her husband, Darrell, daughters, Tiffany and Summer, granddaughter, Quinn, sister Debbie (and Gene), brother Rick (and Kim) and older brother, Harold.

I do take some comfort knowing she’s with Jesus, but I’m still going to miss her.

Melody Chrysler Dill, you will always be Odie to me! I love you and don’t worry, I will be there for the girls and Quinn. I will tell Quinn all the wonderful stories about you as she’s growing up.

Rest in Peace my BFF

June 13, 1961 ~ September 22, 2020 (age 59)

Dear Sweet Aunt Carol

 

Hello again,

I'm beginning this post with sad news. My Aunt Carol, who is my dad's brother's wife passed away on July 31st. I realize none of my readers knew her, but I still wanted to write a little something. She was an amazing woman. Education was very important to her; people in general were important to her. She understood the value of ALL life. I didn't spend much one on one time with her and that is something I will regret for the rest of my life. When something like this happens it reminds me that life is precious and we need to remember our loved ones before it's too late.

I'm praying for her children, grandchildren and the rest of my family.

Many of my cousins came from out of state to attend the funeral services. We had food and time together in our back yard.

Now that the yards work outside is mostly finished for the year, I've been concentrating on sewing and embroidery. I have finally accepted the fact that I will not be doing any craft fairs this year because of covid. However, I'm making things anyhow. I've opened an Etsy shop, but I'm not very hopeful with it.

I've received a number of local orders which keep me busy.

Jimi is making progress on the renovations but I won't show you any updated pictures yet.

We spend a good bit of time on the newly built deck in the back yard. My Flowers are doing great.

And we have a friend, who seems very fond of Jimi.

I'll end this post with the little cutie patootie in her tutu.