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Monday, December 30, 2019

...you’ve got mail...

Y’all, it’s almost over. 2019. Must admit I’m not sorry. I thought 2018 was rough. This year has been a whole other kind of WWHHHYYYYY??????

Won’t go into it. Any of it. I know at least the first three months of 2020 will be challenging. My Sweet Hubby and I have health issues. We’ll deal. And we’ll pray the next nine months are tres better. (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE Dear Lord God Almighty—make it improve!)

In the meantime, I saw the following on Facebook. Loved it. So did TLC.


So read it! Enjoy it! And have a VERY SAFE and VERY HAPPY New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! Wherever in this World Y’all are...

Smooches and BIG Hugs,
ELC

p.s.—The movie TLC and I have watched a million times? You’ve Got Mail. (And I cry. Every. Single. Time.)

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Christmassed...

Christmas was so good to us this year. It was merry and bright and full of joy. We baked gluten-free gingerbread cookies. Ate. And ate. And ate some more. Opened LOL (!!!) Dolls, WellieWisher Dolls, Cabbage Patch Dolls and a new dollhouse. We watched Hallmark movies, and today, we went ice skating! It’s been magical. I’m not ready for it to be over.

Happy Day-After-Christmas!











Friday, December 20, 2019

...ohblahdee...ohblahdah...

Stress. Feelings of being overwhelmed. Questionable time management. Health realities—and fears. I’m dealing with all of these issues. I’m betting many of y’all are, too. At a time when I should be experiencing gratitude to God and Jesus—warmth—hope—comfort and joy? I’m going from hour to hour—minute to minute—attempting to get “it” all done.

Y’all might remember my “makeup shirt.” My Sweet Hubby’s (aka MSH) old shirt(s) I put on—every day—while I apply my makeup and fix my (BIG Texas) hair. I cannot tolerate the thought of my hairspray falling on my clothes I’m going to wear. 

Last week guess what got sent to The Cleaners? Yep. My makeup shirt. Sadly, I asked MSH to look through the clothes we’d be dropping off—to make sure his were all there. So how did he not notice this shirt? Sleeves cut off? Threads dangling? Stains on the collar? Sheesh. It cost us $2.50. Okay. That’s not going to break us. On the upside? It’s been lovely wearing an ironed shirt each morning since. Wink. Wink. (I’ve also been trying to imagine what the person who processed this shirt must have thought!)


Next: I don’t profess to be the best car “parker” in this world. In fact, I typically have to go in and out of a spot 2-3 times to get my car straight/even at Hellmart or Target, etc. And I guess I haven’t shared yet that I have a temporary handicapped tag I can use in my car through June of 2020. Until I have my left hip replaced—hopefully around the middle of January—I’m in worse pain by the day and doing my best to literally drag myself around and through my daily life. I gave in two weeks ago and begged my orthopedic surgeon’s PA to help me acquire a tag. (I have shared I am NOT a person who has EVER used a handicapped parking place in a parking lot or garage or on the street. Ever. EVER. But I must confess: This ability to temporarily park up close to where I’m going? For example...doctors’ offices. Stores. Restaurants. This ROCKS. I’m enjoying this immensely and predict I’ll be sad when I can no longer do this. 

Anyway...two days ago I had to go to Hellmart for a few necessary purchases. I’ve learned, in the past two weeks, you have to get up with the chickens or stay up with the night owls to luck into a handicapped parking spot at Walmart. I drove down every aisle looking for an opportunity to get my shopping done to no avail. Every marked handicapped spot was taken. I’d decided I was just going home when I spotted an opening down by the Garden Center. I actually thought I’d parked pretty dadgum good. For moi. Apparently not. When I got back—and returned my cart to the cartstand—this is what I saw I had done:


Okay—it’s pathetic. I didn’t actually interfere with anyone else’s parking. PLEASE keep this lack of judgment quiet. I’m not anxious for MSH to tease me—unmercifully—about this. We already dislike the way we each drive. 

TGIF! Try to have a stress-free weekend! Take some time to relax and recharge. Mistakes happen. You and I might make less if we take some deep breaths occasionally throughout our days and allow our tired brains to refocus on our responsibilities. Re-prioritize. Eliminate some tasks or ASK FOR HELP. Seriously. We DO NOT have to do it all. 

We’ll get through this! Right? RIGHT.

HUGS and Smooches...
ELC

(P.S.—I may have spelled my title wrong...but The Beatles can confirm: Life. Goes. On.)

Monday, December 16, 2019

...fa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha...

So last Friday, TLC and I were talking on the phone (Yes. Actually talking.) about our upcoming Family Christmas Exchange that was happening at my casa Sunday afternoon when she said this:

“I’m actually bringing you a couple of gifts. Two ornaments I think you’d love!”

I replied: “That’s sweet but I’m not sure I need any more ornaments. You don’t want to keep them for yourself?”

She then matter-of-factly stated:

“You actually gave me one of them last year. You found/bought it for me for an ornament exchange I was going to—but I ended up not needing it.”

Are Y’all catching this? TLC was going to “gift” me an ornament I BOUGHT HER.

I laughed and laughed and LAUGHED. Her unmitigated GALL. It’s simply charming, right?

I truly have to admire her chutzpah.

CHRISTMAS Countdown: NINE DAYS!

Wow.

Happy New Week, Sweet Friends Everywhere! Try not to regift a gift to the person that originally gave it you, okay? Sheesh.

ELC

Thursday, December 12, 2019

...makin’ it...

So this is going to be about another TV show I LOVELOVELOVELOVELOVE. (Sadly, it’s about to be over. Like—I think—tonight. But you hip younguns that can find all kinds of shows on Netflix or On Demand or Hulu? You MUST watch this. More about Makin’ It in a bit...)

First, a little intro:

In watching Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman and the “Master Makers” in Makin’ It the past several weeks, I was reminded of a Christmas “newsletter” My Sweet Hubby (aka MSH) and I received several years ago. (I remember doing a post about it! Could I find that post now and link it here for Y’all? That would, of course, be a big—ARE YOU KIDDING? I still can’t post pictures. You’ll have to take my word that it was a fascinating story. Or roam around in past December and January posts. Try 2011. Or 2012.)

Anyway...I actually DO read those Christmas newsletters we all get. Yes—I’m not even fibbing. I read them! And, honestly, enjoy them! Around 2009–or maybe 2010–MSH and I received a LONG one from a couple we’d known for approximately sixteen years. They lived about 150 miles from us—but we saw them two to three times a year. The wife wrote about each of them, each of their two kids and their spouses, and each of their six grandchildren. The end of the newsletter was when MSH, TLC and I lost it! To hysterical laughter. The wife shared that she simply needed their 18-year-old dog, Prissy, to pass away. She was certain their future would be brighter!

Y’all, she was serious. In this woman’s defense, the dog had apparently been ill for many years—costing them oodles and oodles of cash at their Vet’s office. Still...in a CHRISTMAS newsletter—she expressed her wish for the family dog to die.

Should we have laughed? NO. But WHO DOES THAT? It cracked us up. Still does—when we think about it.

By the way: Y’all KNOW we love our Buddy Bear and TLC’s Henry! We adore and cherish all animals. (Snakes and armadillos? Okay, no. Not them.)

Fast Forward to Makin’ It. Trust me when I say you do NOT have to be a “Maker” to think this show is AWESOME. I’m not a cook and I TREASURE The Food Network. I’m not an interior decorator or house flipper and I obsess over HGTV. I can’t sew a button on or tell you if I still have a glue gun somewhere in my casa. Still...this show (This was the second “season” for it, too.) intrigued me and I got hooked immediately. The first time around and this time!

AMY POEHLER and NICK OFFERMAN are the executive producers and hosts of Makin’ It. They are, IMHO, geniuses. GENIUSES. Clever. Fast. Sharp. HILARIOUS. I laugh out loud every show. EVERY SHOW. (I don’t want it to end.)

The Makers competing are extremely interesting peeps themselves. Charming. Kind. Unbelievably talented. Unique. SMART.

Now...how does my Christmas newsletter story relate to Makin’ It?

The Makers were to build an animal shelter. Or home. For an animal of their choice. They chose the following animals: a cat, a couple of dogs, a turtle, a calf and butterflies. One of the Makers made her “cat house” look like a condo in Palm Springs! She shared that she and her family have a female cat named Bella. She’s old. And apparently extra cranky/catty. Rebecca—the Maker—called her creation a “Purr-a-dise” for cats ready to retire. It was incredibly swanky! Rebecca said they (everyone in her family) were all ready for this cat to pass away. So they could get a puppy! Amy and Nick cracked up at her honesty.

Do I admire honesty? I do. I really do. I value it in my own life. I totally get striving to being diplomatic and even telling little bitty white lies. But honesty? Not enough of it in this world.

Watch this show!!! If you don’t get major tickled by Amy and Nick? I’m sorry to tell you but this retired therapist will be forced to suggest you search for some counseling sessions. I mean it. You’ll need to find out why you don’t think these two are EVERYTHING.

(Did I mention Amy and Nick are comic GENIUSES?)

Happy Friday Eve and BIG HUGS...

ELC

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Merry-Making...

Little Leighton opened her 8th Advent “charm” (she and Elle are building charm bracelets) today, and exclaimed, “Can you believe it’s already December 8th?” I truly can’t! She spent the morning wrapping presents. Y’all. She’s unbelievable! She did amazing and had such fun! She was excited to place them under our tree we picked out on Saturday morning!



After trimming our tree, we made gluten-free peanut butter cookies and had an impromptu play date with friends! We even had a yummy dinner out at a restaurant (which is a real treat, given the nature of Celiac Disease)!



This afternoon, we watched Christmas music with ELC and My Sweet Dad at their beautiful church! We are feeling extra merry and bright as we begin a new week. I, unfortunately, am still struggling with my ear infection. It’s making me quite bonkers. It’s also given me such empathy for ELC and what she deals with on a daily basis, after completely losing her hearing in her left ear.




I hope y’all have a merry-filled week! Christmas is coming!

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

...a sad start...

...to TLC’s favourite month of the year.

After being the quintessential SUPER Hostess with the Mostest on Thanksgiving Day, TLC’s body totally turned on her and she has a HORRID ear infection.

Monday she made the BEST decision—in a moment of pain and despair—to visit a CVS Minute Clinic. (Elle was sick for a week with some kind o’ cold virus and we all were pretty sure it’d be a miracle if we didn’t get it, too. TLC had been fighting a cold. I, actually, have been sick ra myself.)

I was able to care for Elle and pick Little Leighton up from her after-school Art Class so TLC could get the help she desperately needed. The Nurse Practitioner at the Clinic confirmed what TLC had had to face: She had an extremely infected left ear. Full of...well...never mind the gory details. I’ll just say EVIL stuff.

I was also able to help her get the Little Princesses’ dinner fixed. Baths taken. (By the way: TLC’s Hubby was out-of-town for his job. Always when any kind of crisis hits, right? Happened to me alot when TLC was growing up and My Sweet Hubby—aka MSH—was traveling for work. You can count on child drama or home drama or your own illness to begin the moment your spouse drives or flies away. Murphy’s Law.)

I drove home Monday evening praying TLC would feel better by the hour. And get some sleep. And was comforted by the fact that Her Dad and I are twelve minutes away. In an emergency.

Yesterday she got the little girls to school—sans makeup—then went home and headed straight to bed. After an early doctor’s appointment for me, MSH and I picked up Diet Cokes, Dannon yogurt (A must when taking strong antibiotics—maybe not Dannon, specifically, but probiotics!), and Chick-fil-A chicken noodle soup for TLC. (She, by the way, refuses to eat any kind of canned chicken soup—but she loves Chick-fil-A’s. I’m not saying it’s canned. I’m simply confused by TLC’s standards. MSH and I really like Progresso’s chicken soup.)

I picked up Belle at her school, Little Leighton at her school, and delivered them home to a Mama who felt a teensy bit better. A Mama who was determined to keep Tylenol and ibuprofen in her at all times until fully back to her healthy self again. A Mama who this Mama will always want to care for and help when she’s sick.

I’m hoping TLC wakes up this morning feeling even 25% better than yesterday. She LOVES December! With all of her sicky little heart.

I wish Y’all a WONDERFUL Wednesday. Wherever in this World you are! Take care of your body, heart, mind, soul and spirit. Avoid those danged old germs out there, Friends...

Smooches!
ELC

Monday, December 2, 2019

FAVOURITE

It’s officially December! Time to deck the halls and jingle all the way through this month!

Yippee, y’all and happy first Monday of December!