It is Just Thursday

You know it will be a bad day when you come into the kitchen after your shower and find you have brewed a pot of hot water instead of coffee.  Nothing like starting over and having to now wait for it.  And a watched coffee pot does take longer!!! 

It has been a cold, snowy winter but that has not stopped Baylor from wanting to play outside nearly everyday after we come home.  When the driveway is clear he likes to ride his bike and when it is covered in snow, he likes to get out his four wheeler and try to four wheel it through the snow.  

Our Dead are Never Dead to Us, Until We have Forgotten Them -- George Eliot

Today I worked a half a day and spent the other half at Amanda's funeral.  Mom and Dad were not able to make it as Mom was not feeling well. Lynda warned me Amanda did not look good and she was right.  I am not sure what they did to her but she looked like she had a double chin and odd face.  But we stood by the photo boards looking at over a hundred photos of her where she did look like herself.  I did not take any photos but Nick's girlfriend captured this one that when I saw it thought if I were taking pictures, this would be a good one.  Her dad and step-mom are in the front and her brothers are on the side and behind.  Scott, Mathew, and Nick have unfortunately been here before in 2000 when LaDawn died from cancer.  I know none of them ever thought 15 years later they would be burying Amanda.  The minister was also her homeroom teacher in HS so he knew her well and had kept in touch on Facebook in the last few years.  I went to the private family viewing and service.  The small funeral home was packed and I cannot imagine how busy the open viewing was later that day.  It is easy to be cliche when a person dies; better place, end of the suffering, with her mom.  But we really don't know until it happens.  

And for Amanda Fawn Blakney, she found out way too soon. 

But since life goes on for the rest of us, (which is a real pooper) I did stop on my way home and pick up this cute cabinet I found on Saturday at a used furniture store we stopped at on the way home from the Aunt's Meeting.  I do love it in the stairwell!  

Fat Tuesday

Being Fat Tuesday it was naturally time for a cream cheese King Cake.  I did not bother with hiding an almond or bean this year because most of the people in the office don't know anything about King Cake and they don't remember from year to year.  I did not pass out any beads this year either.  Fat Tuesday is the beginning of Lent so I ate as many C-foods as I could throughout the day.  I usually give up chocolate, candy, cookies, cakes and chips for Lent.  Basically all the good junk food.  Some years go better than others.  One year Lent ended up being I make sure there were chips available for the entire seven weeks.  Not ideal but it is not like I eat the whole bag myself.   

I did put on my Mardi Gras gear, the hat I won a few years ago and my collection of beads.  I used to have some beads a friend brought back from Mardi Gras but I am not sure what happened to them so we just have Dollar Store beads. I look pretty snarly but I could not get one to look better. 

Poor Eddy

Sunday was spent watching Baylor play video games in the basement.  It was really cold outside and sitting downstairs we found out how much cold air was coming in the door frame.  Poor Eddy was on the floor shivering and since she wanted to be with us, there was not I could do other than cover her up!  

And video games must have worn him out because he crashed all crooked on the couch.  One reason he sleeps in the family bed is because I cannot toss him up into his bed when he falls asleep somewhere else.   Poor baby.  Only this baby has not stopped growing!  

Happy Valentine's Day

At work we had a Valentine's Breakfast and I made red velvet waffles with fresh fruit and whipped cream.  Yum!!  

But earlier in the morning, as I was getting ready for the day, my cousin called to tell me her niece died that night due to heroin overdose.  Amanda has been struggling with addiction since high school and she was only 21!  She went through rehab several times and her family was always were there to support her.  Unfortunately she lost her mom to cancer in 2000 when Amanda was 6, the same age as Baylor is now.  That pain never left her heart and I think when she was introduced to drugs, it helped to fill that hole.  And once that drug gets in you, it never lets you go.  It was hard watching her FB feed all day as people found out about her dying.  But I kept checking it all day long.  

And with today being Valentine's Day, a day we show extra love for our family, there was not much better way to help the family heal than to still have the Aunt's meeting. 

Baylor made out well as he usually does.  

So did Gloria.  I, sadly. got nothing. 

Gloria took the day off and went to the Aunt's meeting with us.  She likes to surprise the family by showing up.  I always bring the biscuits and occasionally I will mix up the shapes a bit.  What a better shape for Valentine's but also for the sadden hearts in the family. 

The Aunt's meeting was good and we were all glad to be there with family to hear what happened, hold each other while we cried and laugh at all the good memories she brought to the family.   Of course we made a few of our own.

DiAnn brought out the Twister game and Baylor really enjoyed it, all by himself.  Of course we twisted him in all kinds of ways.  

And on the way home, this happened.  Must have been a good morning!  

Valentine's For Kindergarten

Friday was the Valentine's Party at Kindergarten.  We gave Mrs. Murray hand cream and sanitizer with penguins on them.  She loves them like we do.  

And we had Guardians of the Galaxy and My Little Pony cards with Valentine's pencils.  I also sent in decorate your one heart shaped cookies.  I had two cookies per child, with extras, a few containers of sprinkles and white, pink and chocolate frosting for each table.  The room teacher said they were a hit.   

Big Boy

Before dinner was on the table Baylor told me he needed to do something and I was not allowed to ask what it was.  I was OK with because he is a good kid.  He came back with dried flower head from the snowball bush on the side of the house. He asked for a vase and he put them on the table. I hope he keeps that in his heart because not only does Mommy love it, but I am sure someone in his future will love it as well.  

When it was time for bed he said he wanted to try sleeping in his own bed.  Which was a first in his 6 years.  I was a bit shocked and surprised but of course supportive.  He readied his friends, which are many, and had woobie at the ready.  We read a book and kissed goodnight.  

He made it though the night.  I was proud of him for making the decision on his own and of course sad that he was not there cuddling with me.