Time

Wow I read  the blogs daily, yet haven’t written in awhile, where the heck does time go?  Can you believe we only have a week and a half left in October?  Oh my gosh, un real.  Here I thought I was “all that” starting my Christmas shopping early and I was on a roll, then for some reason stopped shopping thinking “oh there’s plenty of time.”  NOT! Now it’s like double time to do all I want to do and be able to get all packages in the mail before the holiday.  Yeah I was great for awhile and do have a good start, but it’s the little details that need to be worked on.  Some things I am making others I am still searching for what I have in mind and here we are heading towards November!!!! 

I was also going to be the smart shopper and pick up the things I could for our Thanksgiving dinner and then just have to buy the turkey and fresh veggies.  Okay so if I figure it all out, no time to do that now.  Am I zoning waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out in in WA and just spinning out of control, or is time warp speed for everyone?  It’s nuts I tell you, plain nuts.  I could have sworn it was just July last week, .

So like Santa’s elves this time of year I need to crank up the saw, paints, sewing machine, knitting needles, crochet hooks and my feet to walk the stores and get the “perfect” gift for everyone.  Whew, think Mrs Claus will be ready at the end of the day with cookies and milk for me?  I sure hope so cause I don’t think there will be time for me to make a batch of cookies or treats each day.  The baking I will save til a few days before Christmas.  Oops at the rate time  is flying by that will be like “tomorrow” to me!!! 

Can someone slow down the clock please so I can at least catch up????

After the Storm

Well we did it, got everything done that needed attention and today yeah just going to nurse the patient, care for mama and take it easy !!!

Hubby’s surgery went well, it was a little over an hour but oh the staff at Madigan was just fantastic.  Kept me informed every step of the way.  For a while I thought” Wait am I really at Madigan or some set of General Hospital.”  There is a world of difference from the ER and the actual hospital part of that facility.  Really no waiting; he had to report at 9:15 and they just got busy.  By 10:20 he had been wheeled into the or and I began the wait!!  A nice waiting room, I brought a book but yeah didn’t get any reading done.  Everyone in there was in the same boat so we all just got talking and you know it really helped pass the time. 

The doctor told me they got all the disease ( lumps and bumps as I call them) and assured me they located all the nerves, tissue, tendons, and muscle and made sure none were harmed.  He was so funny, just so proud when he yanks on his fingers puts them straight and says “see we did this to his fingers and they went straight, an awesome sign”  Dang I thought he was going to bend his fingers right off, just demonstrating!!!  He told me this disease does come back but that hubby is at low risk as long as he goes to occupational therapy and does his own stretches daily FOREVER!!!  He has to continually pull the fingers straight so I hope it’s a habit he gets into and fast.  They has to set the cast with his fingers at an angle for now and the doctor told me the will make splints as the finger stretches. 

Then I get called to go into recovery to sit with him and from there it was discharge and we were home by 2:30, so a good day all aok and now it’s move forward.  Hubby did sleep most of the day away and today I am sure he will need drugs.  The doctor did tell me they “loaded” the hand with medication to keep it numb so by today that should be worn off, and yeah I am sure it will be a tad painful. 

Occupational therapy starts Monday morning, can you believe it?  Ouch the incision doesn’t even have time to heal so ugh that will hurt.  But it’s necessary so he will be there. 

So all is calm here and yeah that’s just the way I like it!!!!

The Calm Before the Storm

Okay so I had a great weekend.  Saturday had Greg, Kadra and girls over.  I got to relax, Kadra cooked and Greg did the dishes so that was a plus for me.  Also Kadra helped mama at dinner and I got to eat a complete meal without stopping to  feed her, which I so don’t mind, but the break was nice.

Sunday quiet ;well gabbing on the phone, playing on the computer, the neat apple game my sister sent. Anyone remember the Atari game Ka-Boom?  My all time favorite and yeah I was champ with that lil ol mad bomber.  Rolled over the numbers one time but each time I closed my eyes to sleep that night, I saw the bombs dropping hahaha.  The apple game is similiar and I saved it and play it for “one more time” which leads to an hour or so!!! 

Once hubby got home he watched mama and I went and got my haircut finally.  Oh nothing better than someone shampooing your hair, and making it look great.  Well can’t prove it this morning, a terrible case of bed head right now, hahaha.  I am calling it my “Halloween Do”  until I hit the shower and do something to tame it.  At least it’s not all scraggly like it was, I let it grow out too my.  At my age no long hair for me.

Today will be normal, nothing going on but then watch out !!!  Tomorrow is pick up hubby’s prescription, get mama to the eye doctor, stop at Home Depot for insulation, and Jo Ann’s for material, then home for no dout 1-800-DOMINOS  after running all day. 

Wednesday it’s get the pool closed up and winterized, move all the lawn furniture, take down the awnings, hubby has to go to the dump and get any and all heavy work out of the way.

Thursday is hubby’s surgery so it’s sit at Madigan for God knows how long, then come home and tend to him as well as mama’s needs.  From there on out it will be two invalids for awhile, yikes!!!  So you can bet I am going to take advantage of the calm today and relax, maybe knit some, sew some and hopefully finish up my puzzle, it’s almost done.   I know this week will be nuts but not much I can do about it.

Also Ashley’s car should be ready by mid to end of the week so with hubby out of commission for a few days, haha until the drugs kick in at least, I will be doing the running.  Take Ashley to get her car, return the rental car etc ugh just the thought of it tires me out!!!!  Am I up to all this?  Well not much choice really.  The kids will have to step up to the plate and help when they are home.  Between school and work we don’t see much of them so yeah it’s all me!!!!

Naturally I am still going to have my computer time and read all the blogs like I do everyday.  Hey isn’t that what the potent pain pills are for?  To knock out the patient and give the “nurse” a break???  Yah I think it is.  And dang it, I want to shove a pill down him, prop him on the wii-stool we have and tell him just move your right hand hahaha I WANT TO BOWL!!!!  Darn that will be out for a day or two, cause he won’t sit up too well with all the drugs I intend to hand him!!     Men with a boo boo , hey you would do the same thing right???

So I am going to savor today and hit the floor running tomorrow, should be an interesting week don’t you think?

WHY???!?!?!?!?!?@#@#@#@

Have you ever started to do one simple thing and then bam, that leads to another and another and even another????  It’s so frustrating and yesterday I had one of those days.  I was just wanting to clean out both of the refrigerators, simple get it done and yeah maybe sneak in a “happy nappy” during Oprah!!

Well I got busy and I always use the plastic bags from the store to dump the gross stuff that I find growing in my fridge, then put it in a garbage bag, no muss no fuss, wrong!!  I dumped some soup, drained, old spaghetti and other stuff that’s so embarassing that I let it sit in the fridge that long.  Picked up the bag and it had a hole in the bottom.  The minute I picked up the bag, apparently too full to do anything but bust and bam, that crap gross stuff all over the place.  When I say all over I mean it, the floor, counter, down the cupboards, the dishwasher and even the stove.  GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR  So the simple means of cleaning out the fridge and making it look all shiny and new turned into a major cleaning chore.  I had no choice but to do all the cupboards, the dishwasher with all the tiny lil buttons and spots that seem impossible to clean, the front of the stove.   Even had to take the bottom drawer out from the stove and get under there.  YCK ,that turned my simple job turned gross into another job.  The dust and crap under the stove yck.  I mean that so needed the biggest Mr Youck sticker in the world.  So got that done, everything cleaned up and next was to mop the floor.  Yeah I dropped the mop, dropped the cleaner all over, and knocked one of the bar stools over.  So WHY did I even start cleaning out the fridge!!  No happy nappy for me, nothing but cleaning up one thing after another.  On the bright side of that my kitchen smells good, looks good and dang it I know it’s clean!!!!    Almost makes me afraid to tackle the bathrooms today, what will go wrong in there I wonder!!!! 

By the time I got all the mess cleaned up it was time to take mama on her potty break then get her to the counter for supper, which was a little late, but it got done.  When I was finished eating, I was so ready for a nap but of course that doesn’t happen around here, with everyone home

Also I am having to put eye drops, only one drop per eye, in mama’s eyes and let me tell you, for a 91 yr old woman she has the strength of ten people.  She fights me like you wouldn’t believe and I have the brusies to prove it.  A lot of times Ron or one of the kids have to hold her arms down and she still squirms, wiggles her head etc.  You just wouldn’t believe what it takes to put on lil drop in each eye!!! I think I get more down her cheek than anywhere.  I actually had to get the prescription filled and it was supposed to last 6 weeks, but mmm alot gets wasted during our “battle of the drops.”

Hubby’s surgery is Thurs the 16th.  No time yet, he has to call the day before great.  But I have someone on stand by to come sit with mama if it’s mid morning or afternoon.  I am hoping for 6am to be honest!!!  He will be in a cast until the 27th then after that I don’t know.  Physical therapy and I guess it all depends on how fast he heals.  This will be the first time he has ever been put under and he is 60!!!!!  Wow huh?  I know he’s nervous but I keep telling him it will be fine.  Surgery is supposed to last 45 min to an hour, then recovery and yep home.  I tell you these hospitals just can’t kick people out fast enough, can they? I do know on thing for certain, mama, Ron and I will NOT be going shopping together. Hahaha picture it, Ron a full arm cast, mama in her wheelchair and me with my boot and limp.  I laugh everytime I think of that, geeze no wonder this site is named “House of Mis-Fits.” 

Ashley’s car is in the shop and should be good to go by mid week.  She mailed in her ticket requesting a court date to dispute it.  Next it’s to get notarized statement from the three witness’s so here’s hoping it all works out.  I tell you around here never a dull moment and why one things lead to another and another and another, heck if I know.  It keeps me going and it’s always a great feeling when I get past it and am ready to face the next challenge!!!!

Oh What A Day!!

So it started out good, I got my wii fit done etc before I headed out at 9am to go with hubby for his pre-op appt.  Bryce car pooled to school and was going to ride home with Ashley, mama asleep and Ashley getting ready to go to school.  Yeah her and Bryce go to the same college but their classes start and end at different times. 

So Madigan ( the hospital) is oh maybe 15 miles from here and we are ALMOST there when my cell rings, it’s Ashley.  She just had a car accident.  So what to do.  Naturally first thing out of my mouth is “are you all right, are you hurt etc).”  She assures me she is fine so I tell her hang tight I will drop Grandpa off and go back to you.  So that’s what I did, dumped Ron at the front door and said I’ll be back and headed back out this way.  I get to the scene and hugs first questions second.  I see Ashley’s car, another car and a truck, then the cop car all lined up.  I park and the guy standing with Ashley told me a zillion times, it was not her fault, that lady is a maniac.  But guess what Ashley gets the ticket to the tune of $175 because she rear-ended the lady.  The cop said there were witnesses telling him about the ladies irratic driving but no one stated she made an unsafe lane change.  Washington law the one who hit the other from behind gets cited.  He explained to Ashley how to fight it and told her the insurance companies will battle things out as to who was at fault and who pays.  I was po’ed that he gave Ash the ticket and um I think he knew it.  Rule #1 don’t piss off a cop, right?  Well I said to him “You mean to tell me, that lady drives in the suicide lane passing people, switches lanes, cuts people off and yet Ashley gets the ticket? ”  The I said “that’s so wrong.” haha yeah I knew he was feeling bad but explained the law yadda yadda.

Anyway this lady was driving down mountain highway passing cars in the suicide lane, she even passed Ashley.  At the light the lady was in the left lane, stopped due to the red light. The guy in the truck was in the right lane stopped, Ashley coming up slowing down to stop when the bitch veers over into the right lane, and bam that’s when Ashley hit her.  That pushed the bitch’s car into the truck and that was that.  Apparently one witness blocked traffic to write her name and number down saying she saw it all and to call if they need her.  Another guy stayed a bit and wrote up a statement about the bitches driving and passing and cutting people off. 

Ashley’s car is damaged, the fender and bumper, the chevy thing came off and yikes both air bags deployed.  The one on the passengers side, the little cover flipped up and cracked the windshield!!!!!  GRRR and her cd’s are ALL over that dash.  They were in the visor cd holders stuffed full of course and are all over. 

The bitches front right is damaged beyond recognition actually and the guy’s truck; his left fender damaged.  So yeah if you were a cop and saw the bitches right front and the guy’s left back wouldn’t that tell you she was cutting into the lane???  Ashley says she really has no clue where she hit her but the back of the bitches car not even a dent.  But no injuries.

So Ashley is writing down all her infor and I am waiting for the bitch to give us her info, me and the guy in the truck.  So nice the one that said it wasn’t Ashley’s fault.  Bryce called cause I had Ashley text him and tell him to skip his last class and catch a ride home with the one he rode in with in the morning.  He asks what happened and all I said was “apparently someone cut Ashley off” and I got no more out when the bitch literally starts screaming “I did not cut her off, your daugher hit me I was stopped.  It doesn’t matter how I was driving down the road, she hit me.”  I mean screaming then says “get out of here, I don’t want to see you, I said get out “  I said to Bryce “I will call you in a bit” and yeah he heard the bitch.  I hung up looked that bitch in the eye and said “I will  go when I get all of your information and not sooner”  Then I was talking to the guy with the truck and the bitch looks at me and says “I dont want to see you I told you to get” Oh shit people I was so ready to deck her but I just said “Well give me the info and I am gone, but not until I have your inf on my hand.”  GRRRRRRRRRRRRR  Then the other guy and I are comparing and she gave two diff phone numbers.  WE each wrote down the one we didn’t have, fix her!!!!

So Ashley drove the car home, I checked on mama and off we went to get stranded Ron from Madigan.  We so didn’t need to rush.  Found him at the pre op place and he needed a prescription filled, so we took his id and headed to the pharmacy. Yeah you pull numbers there. I pulled number 365 and they were working on 213!!!!!   I told Ashley we would just plunk there at the pharmacy and wait for Ron, then leave, and I would head out in the morning when there’s less people to get the prescription.  Yeah and hour and 45 minutes later our number was up.  While Ashley was at the counter getting the meds, Ron showed up so what a long day.  Got home and had to get mama dressed, cleaned up etc and then the ins co calls, the car rental etc etc . Wait message from ins co, they also called while we were in the pharmacy and I talked to them as did Ashley.   They are quick!!  Ron and Bryce went and got the rental car and now I so want to buy it!!  A 2008 cherry red or fire engine red, awesome red Pontiac G 5  LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!  Tomorrow the ins adjuster is coming out, they say they may total out the car.  I told them Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo just fix it haha but I have to wait to see what they say. 

So that was my day and while driving to get Ashley I thought Ron stranded at Madigan, Bryce at college, mama home and Ashley on the side of the road, damn why isnt’ there four of me instead of just one???!!!

But it worked out and Bryce got mama up and fed so that’s a plus.  No one hurt another plus.  Tonight I just plan on plunking on the couch and chilling out to Dancing With the Stars!!!!  Enough excitement to last me a lifetime, but nope.  Hubby’s surgery is the 16th so that will be even more drama UGH hahaha.

Life Goes On

Around here life goes on like normal and for me that’s a huge plus.  I like things to just roll along the same each day.  That means everyone is doing good, no problems, illness or disasters so to speak. 

The twins are finally back in class. Geeze I didn’t think the colleges around here would ever start this year, it seems so late to me.  Two of them in college now wow, so hard to believe. 

I got a call from an old friend the other night and we were  just discussing life.  She told me her grandson started kindergarden this year and I about fell off the chair.  It just doesn’t seem possible he is old enough.  But then she told me what is worse, is knowing the twins are going to be 20 in February.  That means we have known each other 2o years all ready.  As we were talking and re-hashing the serious side of life and the crazy things we did it got me thinking how fast the days, months and heck in our case the years are flying by.  A lot of ups and downs but you know you have to treasure each and every day.  All ready yesterday is one more memory you tuck away and seem to forget until years later, then you think “oh yeah that did happen, or that was funny, etc.” 

I don’t know about you but I used to take every day for granted and just move through life not even thinking how precious it is.  Now caring for mama I treasure each and every day we have her with us.  Well really as I think about it, I treasure all my family and friends cause heck you just never know.  Mama is 91 and who is to say she will pass say before me, I don’t know that, no one does , so I do try to make each day the best there is.  I used to feel I wasn’t important but now I am learning I am just as important as the next person.  Oh I may not have a career, not be the best looking person around, but I do count in life.  Since I have started thinking that way I do see things differently.  I had a rude awakening this past summer and I know I can overcome anything and I do count.  I know I have to take care of me first.  If I don’t, I won’t be able to care for anyone else.  I didn’t put it into perspective until Kathie and I were talking the other night and yep as Oprah would say  I had the “aha moment.”  I know each person needs to care for themself and like themself before they can be any good to anyone else.  So for all of you out there that felt like me “useless, ugly, no good etc”  please find your aha moment and trust me, it will make a huge difference.  Now I don’t pull any punches, I don’t feel inferior ( well that one I am working on ) but let’s say I don’t feel as inferior as I used to, and I realize that yep I am an okay person and yep I do have a place on this earth so I am going to move on, gain more and more confidence in myself and know what?  It feels darn good and now I know if I want something or want to do something, I can and will do it!!! 

Life goes on but don’t let it just slip by, make the most of each day and treasure all the time you spend either by yourself or with your family and friends, everything is a lot brighter when you do.

Strange how one phone call from an old friend and re-hashing life can change one’s outlook isn’t it?  But for me it did and I am glad she called.  A blast from the past but it sure helped me to have a brighter future.  See you never know what will trigger your “aha moment” do you?

Still Here Reading Alot/Writing A Little

Yep I am still here reading the blogs daily.  Keeping up on the baby news has been so exciting and now there’s two new baby boys to read about and check out pictures, congratulations to http://www.happyworkingmom.blogspot.com/ and http://www.jerseybeachmama.blogspot.com/ on your beautiful sons!!!!!  You two kept me checking the bogs hourly I can tell you that much but I was loving it. 

So other than blog reading and baby watch I have been keeping busy.  Dang I have so many projects lined up I have no clue where to start, but know all will get done in time for Christmas.  Yeah laugh but hey time is flying and before you know it, December will be here.  I want to be ready this year!!!     Of course I say that every year yet I am still scrambling at the last minute to finish up my shopping or any projects that I started.   I do try to plan my day but then something comes up or I decide to head out to shop and the plans never work out, but I guess that’s what keeps me going, the challenge of getting everything done!!! 

Weather over here has turned to fall and I don’t like it, no more swimming??  What?? How can that be, what happened to summer ???  I am not closing the pool yet, still hoping for some hot sunny days for one last dip.  Dreaming I know, but hey you just never know around here.  But then again, by not going in the pool I do have a few more hours in the afternoon to get things done so that is a plus.  Yesterday I spent the afternoon making pineapple and apple fritters.  My first time making them and hey they turned out pretty darn good.  I prefer the apple one’s though, the pineapple are good but the apple, excellent.  Yeah like I need to be eating fritters huh?  I will get on the wii fit this morning and that lil guy will yell at me no doubt.   If he does yell guess I just have to work that much harder right???

College classes finally started today.  Bryce has all ready gone.  His first class starts at 8am, ugh.  Ashley’s first class is at 10am.  Knowing her she will still be scrambing to get up and out, that girl !!!!  She waits til the very last minute to leave then half the time has to run back in the house because she forgot something.  It’s a good thing her head is attached that’s all I can say.  If it wasn’t well she would lose it for sure.   But yeah for school, it gives them purpose and keeps them busy.  Both were excited last night and even had their books etc all ready.  I know that won’t last long but it was fun watching them.   Yeah I tried the ol “bedtime at 8″ on them but mmm that didn’t fly,   Hey it was worth a shot, right? 

Mama is doing good, she is healthy and still fighting me when I put the eye drops in her eyes.  Oh my gosh that woman does have stength in her arms I know that much.  I have the bruises on my arms to prove it.  She so hates those drops and I have tried every trick in the book to make it easy for her and heck yeah, for me too.  I think half the bottle has run down her face due to her fighting me, but eventually I win !!!    I try to explain to her but she doesn’t really understand and it’s the fear of something coming at her I am sure, that gets her fighting.  It’s a good work out for both of us!!!! 

So we are just plugging along over here all doing okay and what more could I ask for!!!  Keeping busy and still enjoying the nice fresh tomatoes and corn on the cob from my garden.  Yum!!!! See maybe I am a “farmer” afterall.  Either that or it was just plain luck that everything I planted turned out this year!!!

Another Blogger

http://www.armbruster4.blogspot.com/ This is my daughter Brandi’s blog site so why not go check her out and tell her “mama sent you there”  She isn’t as fast as most of you with the posting but when she does, I love it!!  Love seeing pictures of my beautiful granddaughters of course!!!!  Just drop in and tell her HI that will keep her busy!!!

Taking the Time

Yeah I could tell you all that I have been so busy that I haven’t had time to write, but um, well that would be a lie, and that I don’t do!!!  I haven’t been busy so to speak just occupied, how’s that??!!  

It seems like the days just fly by and I don’t even have to go anywhere.  I get up at 6:30, shower, have my coffee, read the paper, read all the blogs, then it’s wii fit time.  Yes I am still at it, so far have logged 68 hours and 12 minutes on it.  I try my best not to miss a day, even if I just do 30 minutes I get my exercise in.  After wii fit of course it’s grab more coffee to catch my breath and relax some, then I try to work a little on the jig saw puzzle that I have been doing like forever!!  It’s all fall leaves and trust me each piece looks the same so it’a a bugger to do.   Then it’s time to get mama up and going on her day and before I know it, it’s time to get her ready for bed and settled, then we still bowl for 2 hours.  Hot tub some night or others by 12:30 am I am zonked and ready to sleep!!!!  So busy no, occupied yes. 

Today I am skipping my puzzle and decided to write a little on here.  No pool this afternoon so I will work on the puzzle then.  We are still having beautiful weather over this way and I won’t close the pool until I absolutely have to , and yep do swim just about every afternoon for an hour or so. 

I did start the new Nicholas Sparks book “Nights in Rodanthe” and it’s good so want to finish that up today or tomorrow.  The I am taking the plunge and joining the group over here and in Idaho and will start reading the series “Twilight.”  I feel out of the loop cause I tell ya everyone from Mikayla’s age ( 12) to well the “older crowd” meaning me hahaha.  Everyone that talks about that series has nothing but good to say about it plus they read like a house afire.  I mean the books are like 500 some odd pages long and they just consume the readers that I know.  Many won’t do a thing but read and complete book one in the first sitting, then can’t wait to get started on book two.  There are four books in the series and well with me caring for mama, reading them each in one sitting won’t happen.  I will plug away and get them read though.  I don’t know about the rest of the country but over here on the west coast I tell you that book is “IT” right now.  Dang I just have to join in with the group I guess. 

I also have some sewing projects in the works but waiting for a rainy day to work on that.  I am making a few Christmas gifts and have two completed, two cut out , and material enough for a few more, plus making a nightgown and pj bottoms.  That will keep me going on a rainy day huh?   So all my whining about having nothing to sew, well yeah strike that, I am on a roll now!!!!!  Buying material like crazy and just lining up the projects and really enjoying it once again. 

Then of course have an afghan I am crocheting and a scarf I am knitting.  Think I have enough projects to keep me occupied for awhile?  Now if you aren’t bored to tear by now, you will have noticed that I haven’t mentioned that dirty word housework!!!  Know why?  Cause yep in all this beautiful weather and the fun projects, well I have just been surface cleaning.  The kids and Ron have picked up the slack it’s not like we are living in one huge messy house, nope, even I won’t let that happen.  It’s just I noticed while bowling last night that the dust is a tad too high on the tv hahaha, so yeah today I will have to bust into the cleaning mode and get rid of that stuff. Living on a dirt road does have it’s disadvantages, mainly the dust flowing in the house and taking over. 

I am still getting lots of tomato’s out of my garden and yum, I eat them daily, just love them.  We had our first corn from my garden the other night and oh yeah that stuff is good.  We will be eating alot of that too cause I did good this year.  MMM guess one could now say I am a “farmer.”  My garden was awesome this year and so was hubby’s.  Late start but well worth it I know that much. 

So that’s what I have been up to these days, just plugging through each one and jumping from one project to another and like I said, the days are just flying by.   I am enjoying them though so I guess that’s what counts.  But now the dust is calling me so have to scoot and get rid of it, then get mama up and going on her day.  I still read the blogs daily, just not too good at writing on here!!!!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

I am dedicating this post to my fantastic niece who’s birthday is tomorrow Sept 11th.  Kelly M ( http://singlelife.wordpress.com/)   Happy Birthday to you. 

You all know her through her blog but to meet her in person, you would love her right off.   While she was growing up I didn’t really get to know her as my husband was in the army and we traveled alot.  Oh I would see her when we all went home for a visit but not very often. 

One summer I decided to go home for a visit and Kelly and my sister Sue picked me up at the airport, and that’s when I got to know my wonderful niece.  Funny, thoughtful, game for anything and just a great person.  In that week I was back east I truly knew just how lucky our family is to have Kelly in it. 

That visit broke the ice so to speak between aunt and niece.  Once we brought mama out here, Kelly braved a trip out to see her and haha our lives have never been the same since.  In a good way naturally.  We all fell in love with her right off, my hubby, the twins, my daughter, her hubby and their girls.  Miranda used to call her Kelwie it was so cute.  Trust me those two bonded fast and to this day Miranda still asks to see Kelwie. 

I remember picking her up at Sea Tac airport and then we headed straight to Idaho to spend Easter.  Remember the times I had her get in the COLD pool to hold the ladder so we could adjust it, haha and the nut got in!!!  Her pretending she knew what she was doing when we were installing the solar panels and her and I just going nuts w/ laughter when mama was watching Ron out front working on the driveway.

Our hottub times were ice tea and me hollering RONNNNNNNNNNNN SLUGS and Kelly laughing at me, yet she was too chicken to get rid of them.  Our running around trying to find some house to have dvd’s made of the slide show for mama’s 90th birthday, then to find out the guys were idiots.  The all nighter with her and my son Ron getting the dvd’s made and me helping to put on the labels.  So many all nighters just lauging like a bunch of fools!!

Along with the fun side of her there’s also the serious side.  Her  being right there when I need to talk, with her other aunt when she lost her husband.  Her compassion and caring with anyone sick or needing a shoulder to lean on.  Her constant help whether she is visiting here or in NY, she is always the first to jump up and get things done. 

There are so many times I could write about but then this post would be so long it would take you all a week to read it!!! 

Friendship to her is serious and she will stand by her friends no matter what.  She helps, listens and is there.  She is my niece and I am very proud to say that.  To me she is more like a daughter and friend though!!!!! 

So Kelly here’s hoping you have a day filled with joy and lots of laughter.  Happy Birthday girl.