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I am so blessed to have such a fantastic man by my side through this journey called life. From rubbing my feet and bringing me food while pregnant, to holding my hand and supporting me through delivery, to literally changing MY "diaper" after delivery lol, to helping with anything and everything possible while I recovered , to staying up and helping me through all my struggles as I learned to breastfeed in the middle of the night, to coming home from work and continue helping me with everyday chores and making sure I too got a second to sit down and get a breath of relaxation. My man is my rock and I couldn't ask for a better guy to call mine. I love you amd appreciate you more than you could ever think. I couldn't ask for a better partner and best friend to walk through this life with. You're the peanut butter to my jelly, the fruit to my loop, the milk to my cookie, you're the bomb to my diggity. Lol. I love you so very much. Hope you're ready to put up with my craziness for the next 50+ years hehe.

I am thankful that opportunities worked out for me to meet up with a friend I haven't seen in 5 years. We had a blast and laughed through shopping, a flat tire, and an almost missed flight. I am blessed to have made a few life long friends that never let distance or weeks of no phone calls make a difference.

Wealth is all about perspective because I know of rich people who are absolutely miserable in their lives, and people who live off less than $12K a year who are very happy and blessed beyond words. It really is all about people's focuses and prioritizations.

When at the rheumatologist for an early morning appointment, everyone was dressed up like the 80s for Halloween. Leg warmers, crimped hair, 80s music playing, big hair…I feel like I’m back in school. Should be offended that we are now costumes but also think it’s awesome! (On a side note, the girl wearing our clothes and saying, “Period! Period!” should get her 80s clothes taken away Lol!

I’ve started feeding my dog people food on the regular along with a fresh dog food delivery. It’s harder than what I thought it would be because he’s picky. He really doesn’t care for a fried egg but loves ham /mayo purée. It’s helped his skin and he poop less often but I’m not sure if he’s fully appreciative of my efforts? He does not care for bananas at all! I think he would starve on that hill. Gonna see if this is going to work for the long haul but so far so good.

Okay, after two hours of waiting for a room to open up, I finally break down and go to the necessary. While there, suddenly, in my head, I begin hearing the song, "Oh Sherry" by Journey.

I hate it when my true bill app (now called rocket money) tries to show me last months spending report. Like how about you mind your business and leave me alone….I avoid it like the plague lol …like mmm I don’t need to look at that.

This year Thanksgiving is different-but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As I am laying here beside Momma this morning-my mind is an open door for memories of past Thanksgiving’s to come and go. Wonder how I could get them to stay? I remember so clearly staying at Granny Dot’s the night before and getting up early with her to prep the Turkey, the sides and anticipating the Maceys parade to begin. Grandmother Eldridge’s fine china, the poem she hung on the back door, Aunt Carla’s chocolate pies, the men hunting, Momma rushing them to be out of their camouflage, showered and ready to eat by noon are flooding through my mind. I’m grateful I came from a family who believed we should make our table bigger to feed those who may not have anywhere else to go. But this year-we are back to the basics. Momma doesn’t cook anymore-we ordered the majority of the food and Daddy, Stephanie, and I prepared a few things on the side. But I’m realizing that this is more than likely going to be the one Thanksgiving that I wish would linger in my memory forever. We are making this day simple and calm for Momma. Slowly taking one moment at a time. Savoring the food but more importantly the moments. How I wish I could etch them on my heart to hold for eternity. I hate dementia-it has robbed us of so many things but like my baby brother Ben so passionately declared to Momma that this disease can strip her of her memory of us but we will NEVER allow it to rob her of knowing she is surrounded by the same love that has always existed. I am sad, mad, grateful, and peaceful all at the same time. And that is okay. I once heard a quote that says-“Where there is great grief, there was great love”. So really that’s all that matters. That gut wrenching feeling in the heart and soul that I feel with each beat is really evidence that great love has existed and continues to remain. I’m learning daily that is the only thing that truly matters and is eternal. So I am beyond blessed on this Thanksgiving. :)

I had my physical therapy evaluation yesterday. Although I have made plenty of improvement with my injury, I am still not quite where I need to be. I will continue to go once a week through the entirety of September into October, and also do it on my own twice a day at home. I still have to wear my brace as I stand for excessive periods of time doing any physical activity but I'm not letting this deter me. I am hoping working more on my diet and physical activity will continue to aid in my improvement too.

If these egg prices stay high we are hunting for baked potatoes on Easter! xD

In an episode of "The West Wing", Toby's talking about how important it is to not "get inside" the president's head before a big event. "You've gotta keep the train on the tracks." I would definitely need a team of people keeping me focused if I were president.