Goodbye Grandma Betty...

 My Grandmother passed away yesterday afternoon.  She had flown Medical Flight  from Michigan two weeks ago in hopes of getting to be in her own home, she just really wanted to go home.  Unfortunately, this did not happen her health deteriorated  and she had to stay in a Hospice facility.  The Hospice facility was very close to all of our homes so we got to spend time with her.  It was very hard though,  she didn't really recognize us anymore and couldn't talk to us.  I am so very glad that I flew up there in October to see her when she was still really herself.

It's kind of hard for me to believe.  I know that I am so lucky to of had my Grandmother for 43 years.  I know that my kids are lucky to of had a great grandmother for as long as they did.

I have so many memories.  My favorites though I think are just the ordinary ones.  Just simple times like the day she came over and taught Natalie and I how to make her pie crust.  Or the countless times I walked over with my day care kids in their stroller and she would sit with us on her porch and bring out treats for my little ones.  The many times my preschoolers and I would make muffins and I would call her and she would come over for coffee and a muffin.  Through the years she rocked many a baby for me in my rocking chair. Times when I would have a fussy newborn that just wanted to be held but also had three other munchkins wanting my attention for legos, or arts and crafts.

My children called her Nanny Betty even though my whole life she was Grandma Betty.  My day care kids also called her Nanny Betty and they loved her as much as her own great grandchildren.  My one little guy always called her Pea Pay. I never knew how he came up with that but every time he saw her or any time we would drive past her house on our way back from and outing he would say "look Suzie that's Pea Pay's house."

My Grandma was a very involved Grandma and was always a huge part of all our lives.  She will be dearly missed by my family.

  Don't worry Grandma I will continue your tradition of Peanut Butter fudge for every holiday and I will try really hard to master your pie crust.

I love you and will miss you every day....

Like I said before CANCER SUCKS!!!

Me, Grandma, and Mom Christmas 2012 her last Christmas in Florida.

Plodding Along, Plodding Along...

Things around here are just plodding along.  Our weather has been kind of yuck, rainy and cold for us.  I have been feeling kind of yuck, I got the cold my co-workers have been passing around.  I've been working a lot of hours so by the time I get home it's dinner, a little T.V, and then bed.  I haven't been eating all that great.  I am usually a huge fruit and veggie eater because I am usually on a diet.  These past few weeks not so much.  My house is clean but a few areas could use a deep clean I'm just not real motivated. Bottom line is really just

 I'M IN A FUNK.

I need some inspiration.  We are going on vacation the end of March.  We are heading to Hilton Head, S.C.  From what I understand it is just hours away from Savannah, Ga so our plan is to visit there too.  I'm really looking forward to it I hope we have good weather.

Well, I m going to go try to get out of my funk.

Enjoy your Sunday...

My Dear Friend Paula...

I have a wonderful friend her name is Paula.  I met Paula for the first time many years ago when Sydnee and her son Cory played on the same coed soccer team.  I think Sydnee was probably 7 or 8 so that means Paula and I have been friends for about 12 years.  Paula is Mom to three great kids who are now grown ups.  Her oldest daughter Cigi is an elementary school teacher and is married to a wonderful man who is a police officer.  Her second daughter Cierra just gave birth to Paula's first grand baby, a boy, last month. She and her boyfriend are a fantastic young couple just starting out and looking forward to what the future holds. Her youngest Cory just graduated from high school in June and is deciding what his future will hold.

When our kids were young I always told Paula I wanted to be more like her.  She was a stay at home Mom and always planned awesome outings with her kids.  She was always there for them and created a wonderful environment for her children to grow up in.  I always called her when I needed advice and she was always there to listen to me.  We always joked that when we get together we better count on a couple hours because it is never a quick visit.  Once we get talking she and I can go on for hours and hours.

She called me a couple weeks ago to tell me something had come up that she was a little concerned about. She had been to the Dr. for a procedure and her blood work came back funny.  To make a long story short Paula was diagnosed with Leukemia.  I just couldn't believe it and still can't.  This is the woman that made sure she exercised, watched what she ate, did her routine check ups.  Then BAM, you have Leukemia.

CANCER SUCKS!!!

She will beat this, I have no doubt.  This will be 7 months of hell (that's how long the treatment will take) but she will fight and come out on the other side stronger than ever.  I know this because I know her and nothing will stop her from seeing her grand baby and future grand babies grow up.  Nothing will stop her from having many more happy years with the love of her life and husband of twenty five years.  Nothing will stop her from being there for her friends like me who need her.  NOTHING   not even cancer.

I guess I am writing this down so I can look back one day and say "oh yeah that was the year Paula went through chemo."  "That really sucked, but SHE KICKED CANCER'S BUTT!!!"

Post on your blog already...

Well hello there January how the heck are ya???

Me?  I am doing ok, can't seem to find the time to post any more but hanging in there none the less.

A few things,

  My good friend and boss was moved to another building in November and I was crushed.  I loved working with and seeing her everyday.  There is one good thing that has come out of it though, because they have yet to hire her replacement I have learned a ton more and really quickly.  I have gained so much confidence and definitely feel like I know what I am doing.  I'm not going to lie though, they can hire a new Director anytime now thank you very much.

Sydnee was chosen to go on a medical mission trip with her Pre-Physicians Assistant club.  She is beyond excited.  She will be travelling to the Dominican Republic in June and visiting three separate villages.  She will be doing small things like blood pressure checks and vitals but cannot wait.  I am really excited for her.  A little nervous of course, but very excited.  This will look fantastic on her resume when she applies to P.A school.

Natalie got a job!!!  She is currently working at a little neighborhood pizzeria.  She works about three night a week from 4pm to 8pm.  She mostly takes orders over the phone and works cashier but when they do have a dine in, (they are mostly a take out business) she is the waitress.  I love that she is getting a little serving experience, but on a small scale.  Natalie is a small scale kind of girl, she overwhelms easily with new things so this is perfect for her.  We are doing a "No eating  out challenge for January" (more on that later) so we haven't gotten to see her in action but that is on our list for February 1.

McKenlee made it through her first semester of high school with A's B's and one C.  I was very proud of her.  We are still really struggling with the whole reading thing but she got an A for the semester in her reading class so I am hoping that we will see an improvement on her FCAT score this year.  She is really enjoying her magnet program "Criminal Justice" and still aspires to go to law school.

After twenty two years of marriage I am happy to report that Dave and I bought a matching bedroom set.  We no longer have 1990's night stands, no dresser to speak of, a hand me down head board, and an over sized TV cabinet that we moved from the living room. (when we bought new furniture for that room) in our bedroom anymore.  We have a beautiful bed with head board and foot board, matching dresser and night stand and the best part, a brand new 40 inch smart T.V.  (This is by far the best part, me being a TV addict and all)  We recently discovered NetFlix (where have I been all this time) it is the best.  I have discovered Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead.  Never in a million years did I ever think I would like a zombie show. Really, I mean zombies, come on seriously???  Best show ever, I am on the edge of my seat the entire episode.  I am finally down to the last episode until the new episodes air in February.  Thank goodness it was really interfering with my life.  LOL

 I just get so excited every time I walk in our room it looks so nice.  Of course, the best part is we paid cash for it with all the Christmas overtime Dave worked and the overtime I worked because I don't have a director.

For January Dave and I decided we would do the no eating out challenge.  This has been believe it or not a lot harder than the no T.V challenge.  We really do eat out way to much.  Can you believe Dave has even lost 10 lbs. (I'm attributing this to the fact that he eats lunch out everyday because lord knows I haven't lost 10 lbs). Men make me sick they lose weight so easily.   We are all looking forward to February when we can resume our regular dining program. LOL  Although, we have both said that we need to do repeat this challenge often, it definitely helps our waist bands and wallets.

Well there's a quick catch up.  Stay tuned I promise I will be posting more often.

Thanksgiving weekend post in December...

Well Hello there remember me blog world. I have all these post hanging around in my head and I just can't seem to get them down.

 My awesome husband even bought me my Christmas present early so I could have the Holidays well documented with a beautiful new camera that I love. (and will love more once I figure out how to use it) I have been great about snapping photos, just not so great about getting them down here on this little ol blog.

 I have several more things I want to share for the month of December but I really wanted to get this one on here first since it technically took place in November.

 Thanksgiving weekend we headed to Orlando to spend time with Sydnee and attend the UCF/USF football game. It was so much fun. My best friend and her family came with us and it was just like I always envisioned a college football game should be, you know, COLD!!

 If you remember my first college football game here , I swore I would never do that again.

  This time around it was perfect.  It was a night game, it was cold, we wore sweatshirts. (UCF of course) After the game we went to the bookstore and got Starbucks hot cocoa.  Perfect I tell ya.

  Plus, UCF had all their Christmas decorations and lights up around campus and they were having their winter carnival, complete with makeshift ice rink and all.

 To top it all off UCF won the game!!!

Here ya go courtesy of my new camera:

Dave and I with our best friends Tricia and Mark

You can't really really tell in this picture but they set these photo areas up around the stadium with themes.  This one had crowns and royal robes you could wear.

Don't my girls look so serious in this picture.  Must of been a very important play. LOL

My brown eyed girls...

M and M   McKenlee and Marissa.

My family, loved this picture we used it on our Christmas card.

Poor Carson always surrounded by girls and always getting snuggled.

He is one loved little boy.

November catch up...

November is flying by and here I am again with no posts. Here is a quick run down.

 Natalie bought a car and is loving the independence and thrill of having her "own" vehicle. It is a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. It's cute. The passenger side window doesn't work. (Dave will be fixing that) Her trunk only latches after about ten tries. The radio didn't work. (we already replaced that) and about a million other things need to be fixed. But it has a sunroof and so far seems to be running great so she is THRILLED. Thanks to Nanny and Grandad in England for sending the girls money to buy their first cars!!

 Swim season ended and soccer is in full swing. Natalie is on the varsity squad and McKenlee is on JV which means that I am at some high school soccer field every night of the week. McKenlee's season ended last night though so I might get to make and serve dinner before 9pm real soon.

 Thanksgiving weekend is upon us and because of my new job this is the first year I will not have the long weekend off. (sad face) I am however only working until noon both Thanksgiving and black Friday so it shouldn't be to bad. We are headed to Orlando on black Friday for the UCF-USF football game. I said I would never watch a UCF football game in Sept in the middle of the day again so I am looking forward to a November evening (the game is at 8pm) cooler game. We bought new UCF sweatshirts that I am hoping we get a chance to wear. Wish us luck.

 Two weekends ago we had our first cooler night. You know what that means in Fl. It was below 70 degrees. (It was 69 lol) so we had a fire I made a big pot of Chili and the girls has some friends over for dinner and smores. Please excuse the quality of the photos they were taken with my I-phone. A new camera is on my Christmas list.

 Just in case I don't get another post in Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!!!

Natalie will never smile in a picture.  Here we are in the bleachers watching McKenlee's soccer game.

After the game.  McKenlee with her friend Samantha and Sam's dog Morris.  The girls were so excited they won their last game.  Their only win for the season (JV is a much shorter season)

Gorgeous Fall leaves and 40 degrees...

Last weekend I traveled to Michigan, It was a very quick trip I went up Friday morning and flew home Sunday morning. I went to see my Grandmother who is suffering from Pancreatic cancer, diagnosed shortly after her 80th Birthday party that we had for her last April. It was wonderful to see her. She is in the hospital right now but we have hope of getting her back home once they get her stronger. Having lived in Florida since I was nine I got really excited over the fall leaves and weather. Man they are beautiful. I know my northern friends probably don't even notice, just how we don't really notice when we are driving along the beach roads. You kind of just take it for granted when you see it all the time. Saturday morning I took my Grandmother's little Papillon for a walk and snapped some pictures. I wore my boots and scarf and loved every minute of it. (Yeah, boots and scarfs are about a once a year thing here) I flew back to 78 degrees and sunny skies. At least we got to open the windows on Saturday and Sunday. It was short lived though my air conditioner is back on. :)