Not ice...but yet crystals!

What happens when you wake up with a red foot and spot on your ankle?  You panic a little...wondering what happened...fearing blood clots after all the travel.  You keep going for the morning service and come home to find more swelling and feeling yucky.  You panic about all the what-ifs and begin to debate about going to the ER.  Your husband looks closely to see a puncture type wound and moves to administer antibiotic and Epsom salt foot soak and then elevation.  "We have what we need here...or I can take you to the ER...but we both know how that will go!"  I chose my husband's care for me.

 

"Do you think that is the reason I have felt poorly?  Chills...fever...achey like the flu?"  EEEK!  I don't even know when this happened.  I lost feeling on the side of my left foot years ago when I suffered nerve damage due to back issues that led to back surgery a few weeks after we got married.  I don't know what I stepped on, where I did it, or when I did it.  We got home on Wednesday. I didn't see anything wrong with my foot on Thursday morning.  I've been wearing socks non-stop because we are home in cold Michigan.  I've been cold and feeling yucky since Thursday night.  Sunday afternoon, Ted gave strict orders to "stay off it and take care of yourself first and don't worry about anything else!"

He brought me food and drink and meds.  I find myself finally relaxing and feeling better as I saw things begin change for the better.

My foot doesn't hurt to walk on...the swelling has gone down and redness going away.  The bump on my ankle is going down and not as tender.  I am still soaking it occasionally and taking the antibiotic course...praying that the infection goes away completely with no other ill effects.

My body said "Enough!" and has forced me stop and rest.  The dogs are my constant companions.  I've rested.  I've watched some different things on Netflix.  I've read.  I've crocheted.  I brought home a bag of leftover yarn from Mom and wanted to do something with all the small amounts.  I finished this mat last night.  It is the size of a placemat with a ruffle edge.  Working with each little ball brought tears to my eyes knowing Mom's hands wound each ball,  These were all the colors she used when she made dishcloths to give away for gifts.  Happy colors for a cold time of year!
 

Memories stirred by pictures

"I think the hardest thing about the holidays...

...is how much they make you miss the people...

...who used to make them so special!"

All of these pictures have been popping up on Facebook memories over the last few days and weeks.

My heart flips and tears run down my face with the memory of the anticipation of the special trips!

Shared traditions in WI on the Christmas of our surprise trip!

A special request granted when Grammy and Grampy brought their expertise to MI.

The grand-children always wanted to learn from Grampy and Grammy...around the table, out and about, in the livingroom...wherever we were gathered.  Now the little kids are grown-up kids who appreciate all the food traditions and special touches that we do our best to add to each holiday.

 

Home again...tending the nest

After driving 2486.2 miles plus, we are home and catching up after being gone for 13 days.  Ted went back to work and I worked on laundry, mail, and grocery shopping.  I finally got to address our Christmas cards that were delivered two weeks late.  

Oh well...they do have words of joy for a new year!

The dogs...they worked on resting!  It is hard work traveling and being cute.

I found a treat in the freezer!  Peppermint ice cream with added mini chocolate chips!

 

 

January 1, 2025

We spent our New Year's Day traveling north to home.  We got our Weigel's coffee and breakfast biscuit and turned on the tunes.  There was NO traffic and we made the trip in record time.

It was a pretty day in the mountains!  The weather, time of day, and season always color the mountains differently and I am mesmerized.  We stopped for gas and another coffee because...well...need for caffeine and a warm-up!  The weather is now a cold  34 degrees...then 32 degrees...and our bones are feeling it!

Cincinnati, OH

This is how Velle traveled the entire trip...with her face smashed against the cage wanting my lap.  She did this the trip south with a calming pill, so I did not give her one on the trip north....same reaction.  In her old age, she is not traveling as well.

The calming pill helps Chica immensely and she does so much better!

We shared the last of the Buccee snack as we listened to podcasts and discussed what we heard.

We got home and unloaded before 4:00pm after leaving Teddy's about 8:00am.

We bumped the heat and I walked around lighting candles and turning lights on to be cozy.  It is always wonderful to go away and spend time with our family, but there is comfort and gratefulness in a safe trip home!

A sweet Christmas gift that reminds us of God's provision and protection in our family this year!

A sleepy dog who just wanted to cuddle!

Glad to be out of their cages and with their toys.

I scrounged around the freezer and fridge to fix us something to eat.  I need to plan better, but for tonight...this tasted good!

 

2024 Christmas with our grown-up kids

A quiet day of rest after a big trip north from Florida.  Ashlynn and Cocoa brought over food for our Christmas supper.  We waited for all the hard workers to get off their shifts.

Teddy received a warm and slobbery welcome!

Time around the table was heart warming!  The food was yummy!  The laughter was hearty!

Time to share a few thoughts that made my eyes wet.

This year Christmas looked different than past years and we all embraced it knowing that God is in control and He is the One writing each of our stories.  There is peace, hope, and contentment in that promise!

Time together...whether long or short...is always sweet!  The fact that our grown-up kids want to gather with us and without us is truly a blessing!

Fun gifts...thoughtful gifts...practical gifts...

and Mom being Mom!  I will never not do this because it makes him smirk everytime.  It is my way to bring Grammy and Gram into our celebrations.  They always added practical, every day items to gift giving!

Alex was excited about this tool set to help on his job!  I learned there are specialty tools that the guys really need and appreciate.

Ted was able to crash and relax!  "I don't know why I am so tired!?"

I went to spend time with Ashlynn and Cocoa who also was crashing!  "Ok, girls, give me a job to do!"  I was able to do Teddy's laundry and help Ashlynn clean a little.  Another thing I learned from my mother every time she came over to our house.

Alisa got off work early!

Ashlynn and I made New Year's Eve supper.  She made the home fries and I made the burgers.

The guys hanging out...

The girls hanging out...

It was a nice time together, but we parted ways early...because everyone was tired!  The only one who saw the midnight hour was Teddy.  The dogs barked the New Year in with the celebratory fireworks and gun shots!
 

New Year...New Calendar...

My sweet girls encouraged me to buy this calendar during the week of Thanksgiving and wedding prep in TN.  We giggled at the gnome theme and my appreciation for the characters.  I pulled it out and hung it in the dining room with a smile on my face.