Catching Up....

So I think it's safe to say I have a LOT of catching up to do! It's almost been a year since my last blog post (that sounds a bit like a Catholic confession ha!). I've been thinking about everything that has happened since then, and trying to figure out how I'm going to update everything and get back into the swing of blogging without getting either overwhelmed, or providing entirely too much detail.
I was talking to Eddy about it & said maybe I should just say, "So this, this & this has happened". He seemed to think that would be the easiest way to start, so here I go!

Since Eddy & Hillary got us this awesome laptop for Christmas & made blogging possible again, I will start there.  Eddy & Desiree got divorced. They are no longer together & I have a brand new "almost" daughter-in-love! Her name is Hillary. She is a nurse. She is beautiful. She is so good to/for Eddy and they are completely in love.  We love her too! She is SO great with the grand babies, and that has to be hard for any young woman - 3 kids all 5 and under! She's never been married and doesn't have any children of her own - YET!  That is going to change sometime around March 15th! YES, they are having a baby & I am going to be a Nana again! And it's another BOY!  He has proposed, she HAS accepted, and there will be a wedding coming up. But I don't think they are in a hurry or trying to rush that. They are living one day at a time, happily I might add, so when they set a date we'll be there!

Brittni is STILL in Manchester, NH.  She didn't get to come home for Christmas this year and it was extremely difficult on all of us (especially me & Brittni - oh and Rob & David of course because THEY had to put up with us ha!)  She came home for an "extended visit" the first part of November & stayed through Thanksgiving.  She thought she wanted to come home for good.  She packed up her car, quit her job at Fidelity, and headed home.  Somewhere in New York she called & played her "Allen Card".  It means she picked up the phone & said "look, I can DO this if I HAVE to (drive all the way home by herself)...but I don't HAVE to!  I try really hard not to ask for help unless I really need it, and I REALLY need it.  SOMEBODY needs to come get me & bring me home.  Eddy was all set to fly out there, but at the last minute David decided he needed to be the one to go save his little girl.  We put him on a plane that afternoon & he flew to Columbus, OH & Brittni met him at the airport.  And he brought her back to Arkansas!  We LOVED having her here.  She LOVED being here - home.  But in the end, after much discussion, Rob flew out here & she went back to NH.
They DO have a game plan though.  Within the next year, they are going to try move within 4-6 hours of here.  Rob has to be in a metro area for his work. Brittni has to be close enough to home that she can get in her vehicle on Friday afternoon, start driving, and be in Fayetteville sometime that same evening.  I have so many words I could say here, but they're just words. Bottom line is that if all goes as planned, Brittni won't be 1700 miles away for too much longer.  I always say you can do anything if you have an end in sight!

The grand babies......they are AMAZING!

And just look at how they've grown! Awni just turned 2, Davin 3 & Hunter is 5 already! These three definitely have Peepaw & Nana wrapped around their fingers!! They are just precious & I can't imagine our lives without them.  They make my heart happy!

Ok, so that's the rundown on the kids.  I think I'm gonna wrap this one up & catch up on me & David later....

So til next time......me.....  and I sure am happy to be here!  Life is good!

I'm Back!

Did you miss me???  Well you won't be missing me from here on out.  Thanks to David getting us back to the 21st century by locating an Internet provider for us out here in the woods, AND to Eddy & Hillary for giving us a laptop for Christmas, I will be able to blog on some type of regular basis.
This is just a test to make sure it all works, but you can be sure I have plenty to say!
Til next time........me

Davin Cole

 Yesterday morning D-baby had to have eye surgery.  The first time I noticed his eyes were a little bit crossed was at his first birthday party, and someone asked me about it, until then, everything seemed fine. But after that, his eyes seemed to get worse. And it wasn't just one eye that crossed, it was both, and at different times. He has perfect vision, but his muscles weren't working properly. So for the next year the kids went through several different treatments - glasses (which he wouldn't keep on), eye drops to dilate his eyes (dilate a different one each week to try strengthen the muscles) etc. Finally yesterday, they did surgery to correct it.  Of course this Nana had to be there, and my sweet little boy was so glad to see me!

They took him back for about 45 minutes & then Dr. Henry came out to tell us that everything went great! What he DIDN'T tell us is that Davin doesn't come out of anesthesia very well, and he was one unhappy boy! It broke my heart to see him in recovery. He couldn't (or wouldn't) open his eyes, and he was crying & very hard to hold still. I know I let a few tears fall, but I tried to hold it together for Eddy & Dez. They really amaze me at how patient & loving & tender they were with him. It really sunk in yesterday that although I still consider them as "the kids", that "the kids" are grown up now, with 3 kids of their own.  And they're doing a pretty fine job as parents if I do say so myself.

THIS is what Davin looked like when he finally got home & got some rest.  The light still hurt his eyes, as you can tell, and that is a Desiree face/look if I ever saw one!  Such a sweet precious boy he is. So glad this is all over for him now.

Til next time.....me

It's Friday - And YES I DO miss Brittni!

I am SO thankful to get this week out of the way! (Well, almost, it IS only 8 in the morning ha!). To say that it's been hard, is an understatement. I'm still kinda in a fog - a daze. I can't believe Brittni is REALLY gone!
I still talk to her & text several times a day.  They made it "home" last night around 5:30.  That made me cry, when she said "We made it home", because HOME is no longer in Northwest Arkansas.  Home is 1600 miles away. Home is now New Hampshire to her. Again, so happy, so proud, so in absolute AWE of my daughter & her accomplishments, her determination, how brave she is to do this....but yet STILL SO DAMN SAD that she's so far away. She goes in for orientation on Monday at her new job. I'm glad she's got 3 days to settle in before she hits the ground running.  I think she only has to actually GO to work though for a couple days, then they will send her home & PAY her to study for the next 7 weeks for her stockbroker's license. WOW, just typing that impresses me. :)  Anyhoo I am still here, still alive, still breathing so that's good.  I told everyone weeks ago when she left it would KILL me. But I was wrong...and I guess that's a good thing. HA! Til next time....me

The "After Party"

So after Brittni's Official Commencement Ceremony at the University of Arkansas, we put together a little "after-party" for her. Brenda's church (Calvery Chapel in Fayetteville) graciously allowed us to use their facilities to have the party. We went on Friday night & decorated everything.  The party went great! The weather that day was awful, and it was also the Saturday before Christmas. But I must say, everyone came together & put out such an effort, to make her day extra special!  Below are more pictures from the party. I did not get one of my friend Sherry.  She is the ONLY friend of mine & David's that we invited, that showed up.  That says something there....something about the kind of friend she REALLY is....Kayleigh - Brittni's friend came too. Everyone else is family (Which is who are TRUE friends are anyway. My dad always says, you can't really count on anyone but yourself, and your family- wise man he is!).  Anyway again, most of this is just so I don't ever forget - how truly special this day was.  Brittni Dianne - we are SO proud of you! 

Brittni's College Graduation Pictures

We took over 400 pictures for Britt's graduation pictures. We made a day of it. We met Aunt Bev at Harp's & took her car & started off at the U of A campus. It was VERY cold! Then we went to Dickson Street, then Wilson Park & finished up at Mt. Comfort. Brittni didn't know about THE CROSS!  Of course I hadn't been there in probably 25 years....it was a special time.  Then we took Aunt Bev to lunch & went back to Harp's to get my truck. From there we headed up to Roger's to my friend Sherry's house.  We started at Bogle Park in Bentonville, then finished up at Crystal Bridges (my first time there - I definitely want to go back to explore the museum - it is AWESOME!).  Then we left, went to Starbucks, Pizza Hut, the liquor store, grocery store & called it a night.  It was a perfect day, one that I'll never forget.  I just wanted to make sure & get a few pictures on here before it got away from me.  Oh my, how they grow up so fast!

The Day Brittni Grew Up & Moved On....

Today, January 7, 2014....Brittni Dianne Allen pulled out of the driveway of my father's house and headed for Manchester New Hampshire.  She, Rob & Ladybug all piled into her Sonata & drove off into the sunset. (Or sunrise, as it was morning....)  The hole I feel in my chest is indescribable.  The fear I feel is tangible. My very best female friend just moved 1600 miles away. And there is a very real possibility that I will not see her again until Christmas. Although words cannot express just how proud of her we are (she DID just graduate college in December - she DID get hired on at Fidelity Financial in New Hampshire before she even moved there - she IS taking her Stockbrokers License test - she IS amazing.....) I'm more afraid that words cannot express how very much I am going to miss her, how much I already miss her.

There is SO much more to say, and hopefully soon I will be able to, but for right now, I just can't breathe.

Til next time (whenever that may be)....me

Random Update

LOTS going on lately...Will never get it all posted...so I'll just do what's either most important - or on my mind ha!

Awni - her appointment at Children's went good.  They say her biggest problem in ACID REFLUX! Now that doesn't sound too bad, and they are putting her on meds and told Des to slowly start weaning her off the thickening stuff she's had to put in her bottle.  But I have acid reflux & my dad has it too - and it's no fun. Quite painful,.  Laying down is super hard if you're experiencing it.  My dr. told me some of the ways to help it are: Cut out all acidic foods, no fried foods or ketchup, don't drink, quit smoking, cut out all stress, don't eat past a certain time...all things that I do on a daily basis.  (Not that Awni drinks or smokes...but you get the picture lol).
Her appointment with the developmental specialist isn't until July 15th. That's the appointment about the Cerebral Palsy. She is also getting tubes in her ears next Thurs.  They are doing it at the hospital because the anesthesiologist refused to sedate her unless she was actually at the hospital. Evidently with her lung problems, that is much safer. I'm good with that.

Davin is growing like a weed. I bet he weighs more than Hunter. And he is just so stinking cute. He's happy most of the time. And he LOVES his Peepaw! And Hunter-man - he is a MESS! He's so sweet & funny. He will actually call me now & say Nana, can you come pick me up & take me to YOUR house? Now who can resist that?

We are down to 5 puppies at home now.  On Saturday Mel came and took his "pick of the litter". Of course it was the only girl.  I knew he would, but it was A LOT harder than I expected. One thing I've learned abour raising a litter of puppies is don't play with or pay special attention to the one you think you want! We over-socialized her and of course when they were deciding she was the perfect one!  Then of course Sam & Catherine took "Lacs", and Marshall & Billie & their kids came & picked out their puppy "Brick". Then Clint & Kimbra came & picked out & took home "Cash". I am so glad we've decided not to ever do this again. They are all just so cute & sweet & I would keep every single one of them if I could!

Tonite David & Dwayne are heading down to Big David's, and they will be taking "Lucky" to him. We stopped by Halberts yesterday & got the rest of the shots & meds that he'll need to give him in the next few weeks.
I am going to have the ENTIRE weekend to myself.  I have BIG plans, let me tell you!  I have about 3 weeks of laundry I'll be taking to the laundromat to do! And after our busy weekend last week, I have a ton of cleaning & organizing I'll be doing as well. Plus I will have 4 puppies and Bam & Ladybug to keep me company (and take care of). David was worried that I wouldn't want him to go, but honestly, it's Father's Day on Sunday - and his dad IS going to be 71 this year.  I think he should spend as much time with him as he can. And since Dwayne was going already, he can just catch a ride & it not cost us the usual $200+. Plus, I'm kind of looking forward to some down time of my own. No schedules, no entertaining anybody, no cooking unless I want to - I'm FREE! ha! (We all know I will be missing my honey by noon tomorrow if not sooner & bored to death once I get everything done!)

Britt Britt is back on her HCG diet & of course - doing AWESOME!  I wish so much that I had her determination, her personality, her will to SUCCEED!  Instead, I will do good for a short while, screw up & then say to heck with it & eat whatever I can get my hands on!  David & I both were doing great on the low carb diet. Then Awni got sick, stuff happened, and we just stopped.  I always have an "excuse" ready & available.
The thing is, I know what works, I'm just not committed enough to stick with it.

Well, I need to get back to work - or go home.  We're on summer hours again, but since David & I carpool from Fayetteville to save gas money, I really can't work 9 hr days.  So once everyone leaves at noon - here I sit, trying to make myself actually work. I have so much vacation time I need to use up, it's really tempting not to just leave. But alas, I need to make some $ so....back to it.

me

Where to Start?

SO much has been going on in our little world lately I don't even know where to start!  I WILL start with a disclaimer that I am STILL praying for a laptop...or some other device where I could blog while I'm at home. I could always upload it in the mornings when I get to work!  I just FEEL better when I can blog!

Awnika Leann: She is at Children's Hospital for an appointment today with a pulmonoligist.  I don't know exactly what they're looking for, but I DO know that she was 7 weeks early. And she was sick with RSV & intubated for almost 3 weeks - so she's bound to have some trouble with her lungs.  I pray all goes well today, and nothing too horrible is discovered.  Also last week, her doctor here decided she should be tested for CP (Cerebral Palsy).  They just feel like she's not reaching her milestones as she should - and her leg muscles are very stiff still. She is 6 months old, but can't sit up on her own.  This Nana, feels like she's just ABSOLUTELY perfect- and that she will meet those milestones in HER OWN TIME!  But there is a little apprehension in waiting for an outcome there as well.

Eddy is very seriously thinking about re-enlisting in the Army.  Yes, you read that right.  No, I do NOT agree, or like the idea even a little bit.  I do however, realize that he is a 25 year old young man, and me - his mama- has zero say and/or influence over his decisions.  I just pray (literally) that he takes the time to think this out, and makes his decision based on the pros & cons of what getting back into the army will do to his life. That if he chooses to go back in, that he's doing it for the RIGHT reasons, to better his family, to better himself, to serve his country, etc. I am pretty sure they won't let him out a 2nd time, if he decides he's made the wrong decision.

Brittni:  Bless her stinking little heart - she's just such a sweet young lady!  David's hip has been hurting like CRAZY all weekend. She called me this morning & asked when his Dr. appt. was.  When I told her that I'd been calling them all morning & no one would answer - she said - "Hang on, I'm driving right by there, I will stop & make Daddy an appointment!"  And she did. I can just hear her now telling the receptionist, 'My mama's been calling you all morning & you won't answer the phones! My dad needs an appointment TODAY!'.  Needless to say, it's this afternoon! 
Rob is still relocating to Boston end of July...first part of August. Which means at this point Brittni is still moving there when she graduates college in December. Yes, I am swimming right now, in that old familiar river called "D'Nile" ha!  The bright side of it is she is planning on moving in with my dad (right up the hill from us), when Rob moves....so I have great plans to see her much more frequently than I do now!  The down side of THAT is I will feel her absence much more deeply when she does leave.....   :(

The Boogie/Puppy saga:  Boogie got VERY sick a couple weeks ago.  Almost died sick.... And it about KILLED David.  Long story short, after a very long hospital stay & finally being diagnosed with mastitis - she is back at home. We have been 100% responsible for her NINE puppies though, since they were 3 weeks old!
This Saturday, most will be going to their new homes.  I'm sure it will be a bittersweet emotional day, as I'm ready for life to get back to normal, but have grown quite fond of each of them & their little personalities. David & I are both really attached to the only female, and have already named her "Baby". We are sure that Mel (the owner of the male dog that gets pick of the litter) will pick her. He already has 2 males....so - such is life.
I am also certain that we will NEVER DO THIS AGAIN!!!! Way to much money, time & heartache involved.
That's what we get for thinking we could raise puppies & make a little bit of extra $$$$!

Well, I better get back to work.  We are in the midst of another Cancun contest & I am currently in first place. If I'd like to stay there - I need to get on the phone! 

Til next time - whenever that may be - me.

Prayers Please:

My heart is hurting right now for my friends:  One of my best friends Sherry took her mom to the ER yesterday  & found out that she has a bleeding anurysm in her brain. They airlifted her to Springfield. They are waiting to find out what - if anything they can do for her.  I'm in constant prayer for them.

My friend Kachina lost her baby.  To say the pregnancy was a surprise would be an understatement. But none the less, it's still just tragic.

My friends Leann & Sandy - Sandy is doing chemo treatments for breast cancer. She went in yesterday for her 1/2 thru treatment ultrasound, to see if it had shrunk & was responding to the chemo.  The good news is, it hasn't grown....bad news....it hasn't shrunk either.  I fear a much more aggressive chemotherapy is in store for the second half of treatments.

Please please keep my friends, and all those in need, in your prayers!  Love, me

So it's possible that I may need to be on some type of medication - ha!  I keep telling David I think I'm losing my mind. And that he will take me seriously when I'm in a loony bin somewhere sitting in a rocking chair!  Seriously, maybe it's because I've hit my 40's. Maybe since I had that hysterectomy I'm going thru "the change" and just don't know it.  I mean, I DO wake up soaked in sweat every morning.  How's that for a hot flash? Do women have a 'mid life crisis'???

Today is one of those days.  I just don't - want - to - be - here! (At work, that is....not here HERE).  I almost feel irritable - or ANGRY. And I don't know why.  I would say it's burnout - but I took a vacation day on Wednesday. I didn't tell a soul about it except David & of course my work.  I got a lot of stuff done at "the cabin"...but I got a lot of relaxing & Keeping up with the Kardashian's done too!  So it can't be burnout!  I'm doing good in sales. We're having our annual Cancun contest, and I'm in first place.  I've already got 4 sales coming for my next paycheck, and I still have a week left to get more. What is WRONG with me?????

I only have 2 more hours left before the WEEKEND!  I'd be a lot more excited if mother nature would've stayed off the CRACK! It SNOWED last night & this morning here. In ARKANSAS - on May 3rd!!!! They've never recorded snow in AR in May before.  Basically it is now just wet - and cold.  It was 80 degrees here earlier this week! So yeah, the weather doesn't help.  We are supposed to go to a concert at The Amp tomorrow night. The Old Crow Medicine Show.  Uhhhh....yeah sure - I wanna sit outside in the freezing cold, wind & rain & listen to some music! ;)  I actually think they are considering rescheduling the concert - if so - then what will we do this weekend?  We usually work on the place. The deck. Something.  NOT with this weather.

I think  that's part of what's wrong with me.  When I am at work - I absolutely CAN NOT wait until it's time to go home.  Then, when we get home I think - WHY was I in such a hurry to get here? There's really nothing to do except fix dinner & watch TV (which I am so sick of).

WOW - that's a lot of complaining.  I have soooo much to be thankful for. I am so very blessed and I know it.  I have a husband who loves me more than life itself. Eddy & his little family are fine really. Brittni graduates college in December. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my grand babies. Our parents are all in good health. We have a roof over our heads, food in our bellys, good jobs. Friends that love us. Hmmmm....maybe it's not so bad after all!   me

Did I mention we have PUPPIES people????

Soooo so cute & sweet.

Sick Little Girl.....