A Whole Lot of Celebrating Going On

All weekend the song, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, has been going through my head. We had such a special time!

I finished Nam’s cake before lunch Friday morning. After lunch, we loaded up and headed to Sheila’s to deliver it. I had sent a picture to Sheila to show Nam, so I didn’t get to see his initial reaction, but she said he was SO excited! I’m glad he was pleased. This was the first cake that I have done since Sheila’s wedding, so I was nervous about being so out of practice. Thankfully, everything went according to plan!

I love his fierce expression!

After a short visit, we decided to go watch a movie matinee. I love it when we are the only people in the theatre! After a busy couple of days, it was nice to put my feet up (the theatre had recliners) and chill for a couple of hours. It was time for supper by time we got out of the movie, so we went to Red Lobster to use a gift card that Dennis had. I decided to splurge, since it was our anniversary, and ordered the filet mignon (it was also about the lowest in calories of anything on the menu!). It was SOOO good! I even ate one of the garlic cheddar biscuits. My mouth and tummy were very happy.

I had rented us a room at a hotel in Hurst, so we wouldn’t have to do the extra driving (going back to MW, then returning to NRH the next day). Plus we enjoy having a night out occasionally…especially on our anniversary. The room was amazing! I usually try to get rooms with a sitting area, but this one had a huge comfortable sectional sofa…with an incredible ottoman. We both rested very well!

After a good night’s sleep and breakfast, we decided to do a little shopping. We were close to a woodworking store that Dennis likes, so we spent about an hour browsing around there. I’m not at all interested in the tools, but I enjoy looking at all of the beautiful woods! We had a light lunch at Whataburger (I HAVE to have my weekly Whataburger Jr!), then headed on over to Sheila’s for the day. We were early, so we had time to do a lot of visiting before the other guests arrived. It was all family, both Gerralds and Joiners, plus Jessica and Stacey (who I think of as family). The day was perfect! Sheila and Matt had set up various games for the kids in the front yard. They had a blast! The temperature was a little warmer than some of us expected, but it was great for spending the afternoon outside. It was so nice having all of my grandkids together again (minus the one who hasn’t made his appearance yet)! I love seeing the bond that is developing between the three boys. They are all so close in age and enjoy each other so much!

We were the last to leave the party and head towards home. We made a few stops on the way home, looking for a couple of things we’re needing (or wanting). Then we grabbed a quick bite at Chicken E and settled back in at home. I went way over my calorie budget for the day, but I had been way under the day before, so it pretty much balanced out. Then when I got up this morning, I had dropped that final pound to reach 40 pounds lost! YAY! I’m not going to worry about losing over the remainder of the holiday season…just maintain what I’ve done. I’m almost at my halfway point, which is a good spot to coast for a few weeks.

We are excited to see what this week brings. Archer can decide to come at any time now. We plan to be ready to leave whenever we get the call. I have a few tentative plans for the week, but nothing that can’t be dropped at the last minute. My arms are aching to hold a new grandbaby! That is something to be thankful for!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK!

Busy Times!

 Nam came for a 2-night sleepover the first week of November. I made jerky while he was here, which he loved! (He likes to call himself a super-carnivore.) I started feeling really tired the first night he was here. The next day, Thursday, I could tell I was coming down with something...probably a UTI. Friday, we had to be in FW early for Dennis to see his endodontist. Afterwards we went to Cabela's and then ate lunch at Red Lobster before taking Nam home. By that time, I was miserable. I told Dennis to just drive straight to the Urgent Care center as soon as we got back to MW. I definitely had a UTI! I went home and put my feet up and barely moved for the next 48 hours. The medicine finally started kicking in on Monday, and I was feeling almost normal by Tuesday morning. SO thankful for antibiotics!

Friday I took Aunt Coez to FW for a medical procedure. She had 95% blockage in the main vein in her right leg, so they inserted a stent. She did really well, and we made it home around 3:00 that afternoon. She has to have the other leg done in a couple of weeks. I hope it is just as successful! Earlier in the week, my Aunt Faye fell and broke her right arm and was hospitalized with blood pressure issues. She is currently in rehab and having a pretty rough time. She could definitely use your prayers!

Dennis had another appointment this morning with his endodontist, so we were back in FW. He has two teeth whose roots are infected...AGAIN! Today they did an MRI (the last visit was x-rays and a prescription for antibiotics). He should hear from the doctor in a couple of days to discuss what options he has to deal with this recurring problem.

After his appointment, we went to a door warehouse in Haltom City to shop for a new front door. Our old one has been in bad shape since we bought the house. The finish is bad and the wood has dried out and looks awful. The glass is also cracked...and has been since we've owned the house. We found a door that we both liked and brought it home. It is similar to the old one, but the lines are more curved instead of squared. The glass is insulated, too. It still has a beveled glass design, but it is enclosed with smooth glass on both sides, which will make cleaning easier. And we should still get rainbows shining through in the afternoons! The grandkids have always loved my rainbows (and so have I)!

I have been enjoying the trips back and forth to FW and Weatherford these past couple of weeks...plus my occasional walks in the afternoons. The trees are really starting to turn! The temperatures have been glorious...chilly mornings and comfortable days. Some days I've even needed to wear long sleeves! I LOVE FALL!!!

Tomorrow morning I go in for my bloodwork. I am excited to see what the results are. The urgent care doctor checked my blood sugar when I went for my UTI, and it was 89...in the middle of the afternoon. So I am expecting it, as well as my cholesterol levels, to be very good. I have now lost 39 pounds. (I was SO hoping that I would lose that other pound over the weekend to make an even 40!) I've been bouncing around for the past week...up a few ounces, then down, then up a pound, then gradually coming back down. It can get frustrating at times! But things have been so crazy lately that I'm not surprised by it. EVERYTHING affects weight!

Dennis killed a nice buck on opening day, so tomorrow and Wednesday, we'll be butchering it (after the requisite 10 day aging period). We emptied out our "garage freezer" and took the meat to Sheila and Matt when we took Nam home, to make room for this year's bounty. It was mostly ground meat, which they eat a lot of. With just the two of us, and our reduced consumption for health reasons, we just don't eat that much anymore. 

Nam's 8th birthday party is this Saturday, so I'll be working on his cake Thursday and Friday. He wants a tiger cake this year. (That kid LOVES tigers!) If I can translate what is in my head to the cake, I think he will be very pleased. I'll share pictures next week. Since this Friday is Dennis and my 44th anniversary, we will deliver the cake to Sheila's on Friday afternoon and then spend a night out. We'll go out to eat, maybe take in a movie, and then spend the night in a hotel. That way we'll be close for going to the party the next day.

Archer is "due" on Thanksgiving Day. Of course, he could decide to arrive any time now! I know Ricky and Amber are getting excited! So are we! I can't wait to meet our newest grand!

SO...we should be pretty busy for the next couple of weeks! Take care, and I hope you all have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!