Moments with Mackenzie

Our youngest granddaughter spent a couple of days with us last month; 1/2 of the week here and 1/2 with her other grandma....who lives near them. Essentially she is an only child, she does have a 1/2 sister who is about 11 years older and lived with her mother most of the time. M is very energetic, outgoing, and opinionated. 

She's kind of a hypochondriac too....guess she learned that from her older sister. 

She loves her 'papa', even tho we don't see her very often. I am not used to calling him papa. That's what she's always called him. I am 2nd fiddle in her eyes....no problem. 

I just love this photo of her.

Her first day of 2nd grade photo.

what's with the pose? 

I'm not good at entertaining children all of the time. She was good at finding something to do and even putting this small trampoline away when she finished with it. 

Even though papa doesn't put much effort into grandparenting they had some good times.

She was visiting for one full day and 2 half days. I had invited her 3 cousins to come over and play one day, but grandson J couldn't come b/c he was being punished. So....I thought...and told grandson S that if all 3 couldn't come over then no one could. Their mom has been forcing that upon me so I got stubborn and tried it on her. She was very angry....I won't go into details...but J hasn't been over here for 3 weeks....to punish me or him??? Please pray that we can be civil to each other and resolve this issue. If he doesn't come here then he doesn't get to church or Sunday School.

We both cried when none of the boys could come over. I was trying to think of something to do to get her mind off of the situation. We decided to go to the playground across the street. We chanted "we are fun girls!" and I really tried hard to play with her. I went down the slide....and I am not a tiny person, I swang, and even climbed onto the monkey bars (above). She wanted me to slide down the pole (it was more like jumping) so I did....sorta. She made an hilarious video of me on the monkey bars....and laughed and laughed. I was happy to make her laugh. 

I can tell she is from hubby's side of the family. 

She likes to eat junk food, can be argumentative, and is a bit more 'high maintenance' as Ava would put it. She HAS to sleep with the TV on all night. We argued about the cost of braces, the correct way to pronounce data, and whether or not she is young. It was not angry arguing, just discussing. 

One night she said her foot hurt and couldn't walk on it. I couldn't see anything wrong, Kev couldn't see anything wrong. We just gave her some ice and told her to keep it elevated. She thought she might need the crutches we saw at the thrift store earlier in the day. Every now and then she'd get up and show us a dance move...so we were not concerned. The next morning she was fine. 

Silly girl!

So much to do and so little time. 

I want to get to some of the grands sports activities...but I injured my little toe last night and am trying to stay off it it as much as possible. Besides that I usually have 1 or 2 other things on my calendar for the days they have an event.

Does life ever slow down?

I am just glad that I feel well enough to do some of the things on my calendar. 

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Is A Picture Worth A Thousand Words?

I think it is.

And these are my thoughts this thursday.

His family says he talks back and fights with his brothers. I am sure he does....isn't that part of childhood? His father was disagreeable too. What I see is a boy who is different from his older brother (they have different fathers but have not been told the truth). The older boy is more easy going.....and the 'baby' is the BABY and can do no wrong in his mom's eyes. 

 See how he often leans in toward his brother?

 Yes, he holds the arm of his younger brother too.

Looks like a look of love to me. 

 Again touching one of his cousins. 

 He has his arm around dad (above) and his cousin (below) .

I see a boy who shows love, even when he is disagreeable. 

Even Though You Might Think It's Over.....

.......you (I) realize that it's never going to be over. My mindset is that of "I've had the chemo, surgery, radiation.....so now the cancer is gone". The cancer MAY be gone...but I still have repercussions. I admit, I feel REALLY good! I'm soooo thankful!!! I'm finally enjoying retirement. 

I bought these capris to wear to our Red Ht hawaiian luau in July, but they were so comfy nd looked good so I decided that is  perfectly respectable outfit to wear. I would never have worn this when I was 30 pounds heavier.....but I like to be unique. (my mom called me  thoroughbred)

OK, I know I'll always have the CHF (congestive heart failure)...sounds scary, huh? Does to me too, but it is under control nd as long as I follow my diet nd take my meds I'm not concerned. I'm NOT one to worry. 

Two months go I noticed some changes in my right breast (swelling, red, burning). I finally had  the chance to talk to my surgeon nd she recommended physical therapy. PT you're wondering??? I was too. The problem is blocked lymph nodes, nd the spot needs to be 'massaged' to get the fluid moving to other nodes. The condition is called peau d'orange breast edema. Most people get in in their rms....but, of course, I get it elsewhere. I'm doing it at home nd have 3 or 4 sessions left with the therapist. 

Yesterday I had my dexa scan, the call just came this morning from the nurse today stating that I have osteopenia (thinning of the bones possibly from the chemo). My primary doctor is not here anymore so I have an appointment with  physicians assistant coming up...will 

call her later today nd she what she wants to do. Nope, I guess it never ends. I was just thinking that I was going to try to get off my antidepressant b/c I m feeling so good....but I'm not sure now. These 2 new side effects................

I'm usually pretty upbeat & will continue to keep that mindset. When I think back about last year I wonder how I did it. about all I can remember is being sooo tired & not wanting to et. Somehow I got through it nd here I m just as silly as ever!!!!

Nope, it will never be over. 

Some people have more medical problems nd some have less, I'll deal with what I have. 

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

A Thrifting We Will Go.....

Oh, so you think I have just been lazing around reading and eating bon bons.....well you're not too far off. 

I have been lazy, reading...but no bon bons.....some chocolate when I have it. 

Want see some of my finds? This shopping has been done over  period of almost 2 months...just don't want you thinking that I scooped up all of these great goodies last week. 

This imitation Thirty One bag ws .50. I still like it and I'm sure I'll make good use of it. 

The white Naturalizer sandals were $5. I don't have any dressier white sandals, just flip flops.

I just had to have this wooden turtle pen holder for $1.

I know, I know I didn't need another purse, but for $1.50 I picked it up and brought it home. I have to switch quite often. 

I've been wanting some 'scrf  jewelry' but I'm not bout to pay full price for it....so I found this coral piece attached to some really ugly scarf type necklace for .50 or $1.00. I tossed the necklace piece and put it on the scarf I made at the library. I've been wearing more coral lately, so this works pretty good. 

This Chico's jacket was on clearance for .95. I think it will work well for this fall. 

Close up of the details. 

Since my hair has changed color, so has much of my clothing. I picked up some colorful tops. 

These were $1 or $2 each....I can't remember. 

This red, sparkly top will be good for Christmas or Red Htting. 

One day children's clothing ws .25....no, that's not  typo.

I picked up this size 14-16 lightweight jacket and pair of jogging pants for my grandson.

Some shirts for my granddaughters....

They're wrinkled because I didn't wash them.

If they girls like them mom will wash the shirts. 

I picked up 2 baskets for my gardening adventures...(buy one, get one free), shoebox size container, 2 pairs of shoes for grandson J ($1 or $2-he says he can use one for gym and keep one pair here, he appreciates it.....mom doesn't give  hoot), some huge vellum leaves (.50) for scrapbooking,  plastic 12 x 12 'envelope' for scrapbook pages  & makeup. It's the white, shiny orb on the lower right. 

This is the make up....brand new compact of powder.... perfect color for me. ($2 or $3). I love it.

I know there are more little things, but this is enough.....right????

Seems like I have errands to run almost every day. I thought I was all done and could stay home thursday and friday....well....I forgot to get some money for the weekend...so I was gone once gin. I have to drive past the thrift store on my way anywhere...so guess where my car automatically pulls in??? 

On the bright side I have been dropping off quite  few bags of things too. Cleaning out my kid's stuff and soon my fall clothing will become downsized. Last fall I was too sick to give  darn. 

Thanks for shopping with me!!!!

It Started With....

.....this old game I found during one of my thrift store excursions. I paid .25 for it. 

Yes, those re wood discs from an old, old game.....it says 1993 on the box. Does anyone even play board games anymore? I do.....we'll delve into that subject more some other Day. I had never heard of this game, but I had n idea.

I immediately thought of this necklace.

First I sanded the finish lightly. 

Next I dug out my drill and drilled small holes in each one. 

Then I dabbed some essential oils onto the front and back, added the chin and hung from my car mirror for freshening the air. 

I bet they'd be good for Christmas ornaments too. 

What else would you do with these wooden discs?

Sleeping Beauty And The Short Sassy One

Finally I am getting around to the week we had with 2 of my granddaughters. I call the oldest one (12) sleeping beauty because she likes to sleep in, my daughter described the younger one as 'the short, sassy one'. By no means is that a bad thing....she's not sassy in a defiant way. One morning we were sitting at the table and I asked if she wanted to eat something...she replies (with a big smile) "I eat when I wanna eat."

Who would not love this cute face and big smile???/

Claire (7)

One day we went to the Stamping event and made cards. 

 Making mom's birthday card.

The afternoon before they had to leave. Jlen is not smiling because mom would not let him come over....and after that day she told him 'no more grandma's',  HUH???

the 3 boys are brothers

  silly girl

Plying some goofy dress up game....why is she wearing  paper bag?

 Jalen loves doing this to his girl cousins. He loves them sooo much. 

 On their last morning we asked grandpa to turn the TV on to her favorite channel. She gets up before everyone one and likes to red or watch TV. They don't have cable at home so don't watch regular TV....she gets so engrossed in it. Here's what I found when I came downstairs. 

Lter this 'little old lady' came into the basement to see what scrapbook pages the other two were working on. 

 We enjoyed our traditional root beer floats.

 I love how she did her hair. 

 Some of her favorite pages. 

Look what I found on the bathroom mirror!

The other mirror sys 'your' awesome...Grandson J put that on  long time go. 

My daughters girls are the sweetest girls. They're so well-behaved and not demanding. They don't need to be entertained. They're happy and easy to be round. They're pretty good at taking care of themselves. Ava loves mashed potatoes so I'm sure to make them several times when she's here. 

Ava (12) loves to red, so I have to make sure we get to the thrift stores and library so she has enough books on hand. When she was here in June she joined our local library's reading program, free books can be earned by reading....she took home 5 free books. If she lived closer we'd be doing some serious scrapbooking!

Love you!

Wish we could spend more time together.