Bang!...

 The renewed old adage 'hindsight is 20/20' is being tossed around with a more appropriate and deeper meaning than ever.  Seeing 2020 in the rearview mirror will be a great vision on the road to 2021, where certainly life will not present such crazy challenges-good and bad.

So what have I learned?  

Obviously, life is precious and can take an unexpected turn at any moment.  A perfectly healthy guy can be felled and fight for his life in a blink.  But, you readjust your vision and make it all work. (P.S.  Randy is home and working on his rehab!) xo

I can cook.  Everyday.  It's no secret that Randy and I are professional 'diners' and love our culinary experiences.  Slaving over a hot stove is not really my gig, but I'm getting used to it.  The soup and other goodies from and friends and neighbors are much appreciated and gives Randy a taste for the 'good stuff!'

Without the distraction of social events, life actually seems less stressful.  As an admitted 'commitment phobe'  this bodes well for me with the exception of family and a few close friends.  I love to be home-and would not mind if I could just go out to eat, and see friends, and comfortably shop....and then go home!  tee hee...

That I am actually even lazier than I first thought.  I have all day to accomplish tasks and STILL have a hard time gettin' 'er done.  Sheesh!  No urgency=no big effort.  I do better on a fixed routine and all this time available boggles me.  Oh, well.. I'll get around to the 'stuff....sometime..maybe...

I refuse to accept that this life style is 'our new normal.'  No freakin' way!  I am looking forward to 2021, where I can life spontaneously,  DINE out like the indulgent chub that I am, get stressed by overcommitting to things, and actually get shit done!  

Look out 2021-I'm comin' for ya!  XO

Afterglow...

As I dressed up for the cold and made my way out the door, the last thing I heard was my Mom yell, "Be careful-it wouldn't be a very good time to break a hip!" Very sage advice and can someone please tell me when it WOULD be a good time for said injury?  But with Randy coming home soon, it probably wouldn't be a real convenient situation! 

 
When was the last time you bundled up and trudged up a big hill dragging a sled?  On a gorgeous Sunday afternoon, 'the cousins' and I embraced the fresh air and headed to the legendary Manning Hill.  It was a true winter wonderland with about 10 inches of snow blanketing everything.  Hours were spent with the kids flying down the hill with shriek's of fear and joy.  And then running-yes running to the top to do it all over again. 

 As we wound up the sledding and made our way to the cars, the kids decided to make a snowman and then have a snowball fight.  I felt like we were in a Pure Michigan commercial!  With wet mittens and rosy cheeks, we finally packed it in.

Thanks to Brian, Carter, Lila, Nikki, Emily, Ethan and Evan for all the fun. What an amazing and total escape; stress and worry be gone!  I got back to Mom's all relaxed and grateful for the time spent with the kids. 

 And I am happy to report that both of my hips are intact! Mother (still) knows best! XOXO

Hope for Love...

 Hello Dollfriends!  How happy are we?  After 5 long weeks, I was granted a visit to Randy.  We had a meeting and I got to meet one of his docs.  We had a lot of information threw at us but afterwards the nurses/angels graciously 'looked the other way' and I was permitted to stay an extra hour.  I can't tell you how reassuring it was to actually see him and note the clear eyes and great skin color.  It was a very cool thing.

In other news-did you hear that Taylor Swift gifted a local Harrison Twp. woman $13,000.00?!  Taylor read about this woman who lost her job plus had a baby that had a collapsed lung.  What an amazingly generous thing!  Years ago, I saw Taylor in concert and I can tell you that she is a very inspiring young woman.  Classy all the way, with costumes that cover her parts and lyrics that you could sing to your mother.  She also is very supportive and encouraging of individuality and 'girl power!'  I loved her message that night and now I love her message of hope for this family.

Hope is what I am feeling for Randy and for our future as he pushes forward with his recovery.  I am reminded of one of my very favorite quotes that I read over and over in times when I am searching for some comfort.

'Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all."             Emily Dickinson

Be like That...

 So how are we all surviving yet another lockdown extension?  As you can imagine, I spend most of my days answering texts and phone calls regarding Randy's health.  I also get two precious face time calls from him a day.  It is such a comfort to hear his voice and see his face.  It's tortuous to not see him and talk to his docs in person.   But that's the world we live in right now...sigh...

In an attempt to NOT indulge in ordering clothes and shoes with nowhere to wear them, I have been reading and watching more boob tube than I ever have in my life! The tv that is-I've always been a maniacal reader.  In case anyone is interested, here's some great and mind-numbing escapes I've been enjoying.

Books that I've devoured include:

Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen

Girls in the Garden by Lisa Jewell

Outer Banks by Ann Rivers Siddons

Blue Shoe by Ann Lamott

The Truth about Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell (love her!)

Fifty Words for Rain by Asha Lemmie

I have many more, but you get the idea!

As for the telly, I have binged soooo many!  I loved 'Undone,' as well as  'Sharp Objects.'  I surprisingly like 'Yellowstone,' which is odd because I usually despise masculine westerns.  Having read the book-(and I've almost always 'read the book!')- I also enjoyed the controversial 'Hillybilly Elegy.'  I was mesmerized by the series, (I also had read the book!)  'Unorthodox.'  Highly recommend and now I am fascinated with Hasidic Jewish culture.

Today I will give my eyeballs a break as dollfriend Shanny is coming over to hang out.  Shannonigans will ensue and my eyes will be relieved of strain; however my jaws are sure to get a workout.  

Please continue prayers for support of Randy.  He will be in intensive lung therapy as he works through his healing.  Luv to you all.   XO

Breath of Love...

 As the days meld together, I realize that it's Tuesday!  Night!  With this 'groundhog's day' situation we are living, it's easy to lose track of time.  So, here I come with my weekly musing...

Thanksgiving has come and gone and as different as it was-it was still wonderful.  Kristin pulled out all the stops for the traditional family dinner.  It was a very special day- thank you again, Girl!

And it snowed! Well, it IS December in Michigan.  For the past month, we have been having the exterior of our house painted and the guys got it done just in time!  It looks so refreshed, especially with the snowfall.  What a job to finally get handled.  Thank you Dennis and Roy for your meticulous and caring work.  I appreciate your dedication to our project.

Randy is still recovering and working on getting his lungs stronger.  I am not adjusting well to over three weeks alone.  I have binge-watched many series while eating popcorn or peanuts and wine for dinner.  With all the time in the world, I am motivated to do very little.  Much time is spent answering calls and texts regarding Randy's progress.  Hazel can be found wandering room to room looking for and yelling for Randy.  We are two lonesome girls!  Thank you all for the continuing love, support and prayer.  One breath at a time, Babe.

Let's hope December brings with it all good things.  Peace and luv.  XO