BAD DAYS

Its dreary today and so is my mood.

Mom had a fall in the bathroom three days ago and hasn't 

fully bounced back.  She has good days and bad days but

usually everything is righted by more water and juice intake.

Not the case this time...not so far.

She's spending a lot of time in her wheel chair

because these bad days come with a heighten unsteadiness

and she's much more prone to fall.

I didn't see the fall but it scared me.

She was flat on her back and would not respond to my questions.

I screamed for Dad, as usual he didn't have his hearing aids in

so I had to SCREAM again and SCREAM again.

Finally he was at my side, It was his idea to put a cool cloth on her

face and a towel under her head.  I was thinking do we need to call 911.  While she was on the floor I got the wheel chair and Dad 

managed to get her into a sitting position.

Minutes later she was able to aid us in getting her up

and into her chair. I quizzed her on hurting anywhere but she said no.  She had some water, juice and her normal breakfast.

Still she seemed a little more out of it and unsteady,

but in no real pain.

I know these falls are going to happen and you try not to beat

yourself up for not being right there...

but its hard.

FUN FAMILY PHOTOS

This is what having too much time on your hands

does to you.

I just downloaded a new app on my phone

and I just went crazy

I decided to do a family photo album.

I'm not sure they will all appreciate it

but I'm doing it all the same.

The app is Photo Lab and its free.

I downloaded one called Cartoon Camera last year

but this is way better.

I've been sharing photos

with friends and family

I sent one to my brother and he shot back

"Nancy has a new toy".

There are tons of options to play with

but my favorite is this "Pop Art Style".

If you're friends with me on facebook, no doubt

you will see some other options 

but for this post I'm trying to be cohesive.

I have always dreamt of being

talented enough to be able to sketch, draw and paint

but I suck at it.

I guess this is the next best thing.

Perhaps everybody already knows about this app

and I'm just now catching up

after all I didn't get a smart phone until a year ago.

Anyway...this is my beautiful family.

THAT TIME OF YEAR!

I can hardly believe its 

Christmas time

already.

This year has flown by.

Last year I got myself into a Christmas Day funk,

and I'm determined that is not happening again.

No expectations are the best expectations.

I'm keeping in mind, it's a season, not just a day.

Our decorations are minimal

but festive enough.

Last year my favorite gift was one I purchased

with a Amazon gift card from Rick and Terry,

an essential oil diffuser.

Just love it...I kept the house smelling wonderful

and hopefully all of us healthier.

Christmas time is no different.

The family has decided to forgo gifts this year

but I am sending just a few cards 

and displaying the ones we receive close by,

 Mom looks at them several times a day

and each time it's new.

Started playing Christmas music on Pandora today,

love that.

There is no shortage of sweets in the house.

Sue was here this weekend and brought us

holiday check mix.

I have made "no bake" chocolate oatmeal cookies...

twice.

I'm not making myself crazy about a 

Christmas dinner,

Lord knows a heavy, rich meal

is the last thing the three of us need.

Last year is proof of that.

I will put something in the crock pot and

that will be that.

When Christmas Day rolls around,

my only plan is to see what's streaming

on Netflix and Amazon Prime.

 Merry Christmas

and 

Happy Holidays

EVERYONE

PS: All pictures were pulled from Pinterest

A SUNNY DECEMBER DAY

 The sky is so blue today and the weather

is perfect for just a light jacket.

 Cooper and I took a short walk around the property

just to see what we could see.

 The leaves have mostly fallen and are crunching

under our feet.

The colors, muted, but are still enhanced

by the big blue sky and sunshine.

 Cooper has not yet mastered the leash,

but she does quite well staying near

when we are out and about.

I want her to know her space and to be able

to enjoy as I do.

We just need to stay clear of that 

Big

Bad

Road.

CHRISTMAS AT THE FOLKS

 Don't judge me, but I started my Christmas decorating

even before Thanksgiving.

I couldn't help myself, I love to decorate.

I have to tell you decorating here at Mom & Dad's 

is a whole different ballgame.

Back in Johnson City where I was surrounded by the things

that I love and a décor that was personal,

Christmas decorating was a piece of cake.

Here, it must be pondered.

I've used some things that I brought with me

like my white lights and crochet snowflakes.

Wonderful personal gifts like this folded book

from my sister in law, Terry.

 A few things I've made using what I had on hand

or bits and pieces I've picked up at Goodwill or

the thrift shop. This little package garland was made

from some left over scrap booking paper and cardboard.

 I also made a little gingerbread man garland out of some old

brown paper.

I love decorating with nature

it's my favorite.

I put on my walking shoes, get my garden

clippers and see what treasures 

I can find.

Oh, and did I say how easy 

it is when its time to put everything away

after the holidays.

Just dump it in the compost

or back out in the field.

Yea, keep it simple that is my motto here,

spend as little money as possible.

There is so much Christmas stuff out there

in thrift shops why buy new...

just renew.

Tomorrow is December 1st.

lets get our Christmas game on.

Oh and I get to start using my 

Christmas advent calendar tomorrow too,

thank you Susan Okrasinski!

BIRTHDAY PUPPY

Another birthday has come and gone

and it was a very good one.

I knew I wanted a shelter dog and had been hoping I would

find one by my birthday.

My plan was to get an adult dog, one that was small and 

easy to manage.

Well, this is what I got.

The picture says it all...

defiant

rambunctious

crazy 

puppy

She looked so adorable at the 

Lincoln County Animal Shelter

 I had been to the shelter a couple of times and

there seemed to be a real shortage of

small adult dogs.

I can handle a puppy, right?

She was too young to bring home so I needed 

to wait two weeks.

No problem, this gave me time to prepare

for the little darling.

Her shelter name was Kate

but I named her Cooper.

The only thing I know about her is that she

is part Boston Terrier.

Only time will tell if I got a relatively small dog

or a monster giant.

Whatever she turns out to be

it really doesn't matter now.

We have bonded and she's my

defiant

rambunctious

crazy

puppy.