Good morning all. I hope this finds you all doing well.
So, its been a little while since I blogged. I just couldn't tear myself away from everyone even for a second to blog. It seemed like everyone was here for weeks and seconds all at the same time. So strange how that happens.
Sunday Mom and Dad arrived around lunch time. They were a day or so earlier than we expected, but had called the night before to say they were coming sooner. We spent Sunday morning busying ourselves with getting everything ready for them. Once they got here we relaxed for a bit, got their stuff unloaded and then Mom & I went to get some lunch. Cook Out. We really like their food, and its inexpensive. After lunch we layed down for naps. I needed one. Had been working hard to fight the funk that Tancy had and rest was necessary for that fight.
After our naps we all got up, had some coffee and visited a bit. It was good to just have a slow pace for a bit with them. I am sure you all know that two families in town for the holidays becomes a whirl-wind. Mom broke out the candy that she had picked up in Maggie Valley for everyone. She gave us the Christmas ornaments that she & Dad had picked up as well. Too cute. A Santa and a Snow Man. We bummed around the house till time to eat. Pops shoulder was giving him fits, so we all just tried to do what we could to help that ease for him.
We had Taco & Tequila for dinner. It was yummy. Everyone had their fill. We love that place and to be honest, I had been craving it. It was also really convenient because it is close to the house. Dad really didn't need to be riding in a vehicle for long spells again. After dinner we were stuffed, home, comfy clothes and hit the couch! We sat up and watched a bit of TV and then off to bed. I was feeling like shit... knew I would have to call the doctor Monday morning... a little disappointed that I wasn't able to fight it off to be honest.
Monday morning was an early start for us. I think we were up around 6:30. Now I really felt like hell. Mostly sinus congestion, stuffy nose, sore throat. No fever, no chest congestion. Called the doc as soon as they were open. She was going to call in an antibiotic. Mom and I were off for some spa time. She got a massage and I got a mani/pedi. It was wonderful. We both left there feeling better than when we arrived. We picked up lunch on our way home, our honeys were hungry.
We ate lunch when we got home and headed out to pick up my medicine and then to the grocery store for some odds and ends. All four of us! It wasn't the circus you might think it could have been. Dad and I stayed with the buggy while Tancy and Mom picked up the items we missed on previous isles. We were done fairly quickly and headed home. I took my first dose of antibiotic and headed to bed for a nap once everything was unloaded. I wasn't able to take a nap... not sure why... felt too crappy I suppose. So I got up, Mom was up shortly behind me. Then Dad and Tancy meandered into the livingroom.
We had gotten the stuff to make Chicken and Sausage gumbo. One of my personal favorites and a meal I requested year after year for my birthday. Dad gave me flack about it not being ready for dinner, I told him I did manage to cook when he wasn't there. Sounds like we were hard on each other, but it was in a fun loving tone. After starting the gumbo, I just felt worse. When it came time to de-bone the chicken, I was miserable. Mom and Dad, being as wonderful as they are, took over. Truly doing the hard part. I love them, they are so good to me. Tancy's Mom and Dad were on their way in with Zack in tow. We were anxious to see them. And truth be told, I was anxious to go to bed.
The gumbo and rice was ready about the time that they arrived (I can't remember what time that was... it was already dark, but that doesn't say much). After introductions and giving everyone a minute to settle down, I fixed my bowl. I couldn't wait. I knew it would be delicious and just what I needed to feel a bit better. I was right. The warmth was almost too warm to eat, but it felt so good. The chicken broth was delicious and if nothing else helped my mood. Mandy, Steve and Lauren were on their way over, so Tancy called them to see if they would pick up some Dimetapp for me. It was on the list of things I could have and I really needed something to treat the symptoms.
They arrived and Mandy and Lauren ran straight to the back to find Zack. They really didn't speak to anyone else (except to hand me my medicine) before doing so either. I see who's top dog, even on our birthday! It was commical. Everyone ate and visited. Zack did magic tricks. It was great to see him again. It was great to watch Mom & Dad watch him and smile or laugh. It was great to watch Ms. Sue light up at prompting him during the show. Before long I needed sleep. Took my next round of medicine and headed to bed after Mandy, Steve and Lauren left. Everyone else was exhausted and headed for bed themselves.
Tuesday morning (the beginning of week 11 of the pregnancy) was crazy as usual with Zack here. He sure does run the show. Tancy made waffles for him, that's what he wanted. I made biscuits, sausage and eggs for the adults. Zack threw up at the table from coughing. He'd been on antibiotics too and the cough he had was a doozey. My Mom and Dad, who were in the kitchen at the time, made a quick exit. Tancy and Nana promptly cleaned everything up... and I just kept cooking. It was almost comical. But I felt bad for Zack, poor kid, he gags so easily.
We had a 2:00 appointment to take the parents to see the place we made an offer on. Mom and Dad wanted to go look for an accessory for their new GPS and I figured I would act as driver. Tancy needed some time with her parents and Zack. Dad really needed to get out of the house for a bit. So off we went. We found what we needed, had lunch (had a great time and great conversation) and tooled around town a bit before heading back for our appointment. We made it to the house in plenty of time with Tancy and the Dean clan right behind us. Dad was having a rough day with his shoulder again. We got out of the vehicles just as Linda was getting there. We headed up for a walk through the house and a look at the land. Everyone seemed to like it, the land is untouched, there was some discussion about what it would take to prepare it for someone to have a place in the back.
Again the Deans and the Devalls parted ways. Mom, Dad and I headed up to the Goodwill at Lake Norman. They always have nice clothes there, usually with the tags still on... and I needed a nicer shirt for Thursday. Tancy, Ms. Sue, Mr. Ted and Zack headed to Mandy's. By the time we got to the house Dad was hurting pretty bad. I convinced them to just stay at home. That everyone would understand and he really needed to just take his medicine and rest. He & Mom decided that was probably best. As terrible as I felt (and really just wanted to go to bed) I gathered the gumbo and headed to Mandy's.
We ate and visited a while. It was a nice evening. But by 6:30 I was absolutely miserable and really needed to get home and to bed. Tancy could see how badly I felt and we were on our way home. I don't know exactly what time it was when I got to bed, it was before 8:00 I know, but I crashed. I absolutely had to feel better before Thursday! I slept well, but woke up every few hours full of snot, fun stuff!
Wednesday morning I still felt like hell. I really needed to pull it together. Casie, Chuck and Marlie would be in sometime that night. Jessi and Joe would be stopping at Tylors for the night that night as well. Thursday was the big day, I really was beginning to feel desperate. Tancy headed off to her dentist appointment. Dad and I went to pick up the Turkey and the Pork Loin. Mom disinfected the house one more time. When Dad and I got back we unloaded everything. Mom and I set about getting everything ready. We started wrapping green beans with bacon and then making the lemon meringue pies. It was a full day. Once Tancy got home her and Dad got all the meat seasoned and ready to cook. We had eaten Bojangles for lunch... and honestly, I can't remember what we did for dinner.
Casie didn't get out of work until her usual time, so they were going to be midnight getting here. We watched TV for a bit, Tancy and I met Gary to get the table cloths for Thursday, turns out he had flowers too... how sweet. We love him. Then we came back home. I was worn out. It was getting close to 9:00 by this time. We all decided to turn in for the night. I kept the phone by the bed and told Casie to let me know when they were on 321. I fell asleep hard. At 12:15 they were almost here. I was so excited... and so tired. I knew they had to be as well. By 12:30 they were here and unloading their stuff. By 1:00 we were all headed to bed. I had such a hard time going to sleep. I finally did doze around 2:00. I was up by 7:00.
Thursday morning was busy. Getting the furniture moved around, setting up the tables, picking up and straightening the mess on the counter tops. Showers and getting dressed. Trying to find the time to play with Marlie, she's so stinkin' cute! She cooed and squeeked. She seemed quite content to be with everyone in a different environment. I was impressed.
By noon everyone started arriving. Here we go! At ten till one we got everyone to settle down so that we could exchange our rings and get the show on the road. It was simple, looking back I didn't say nearly what I had in my mind to say to her, but it was what we wanted it to be ultimately.... sweet and simple. Tancy's Dad said a bit about what the day was about, Love. And gave the blessing. I think I was the only woman in the house who wasn't crying. I made a joke that I had the sniffles all day, and the one moment I didn't, everyone else did! It was very nice and we were very happy to have everyone here.
Then it was a blur of food being heated, placed on tables, etc. It was a fury of women in the kitchen. I was not one of those women. I just felt bad... I would have otherwise been righ in the middle. Everyone ate until they were full. Lauren and Mark left to go have Thanksgiving with his family. Again there was a blur of cleaning and re-organizing as we moved the living room furniture back into the livingroom. Again, I wasn't much help. I wanted desperately to take a nap... but Zack was watching TV in our bed, so that was out. We all sat and visited. Tancy and Tylor headed outside to throw the football, I headed outside too, it was hot in the house to me. Before too long, Tylor, Val, Jessi & Joe headed to Ty's house. Nana, Poppy, Mandy & Zack headed to Mandy's and the house was fairly quiet. Sandy stopped by for a bit just as Mandy and that crew were headed out. She had birthday preents for us. How sweet. She stayed for a bit, but not too long. I was happy she stopped by.
I tried to go to bed, but was unsuccessful. So I got up and watched a bit of TV with Mom, Casie & Chuck. We visited a bit and talked about the day. I felt so terrible, still, it was good to sit with my Mom and rest my head on her shoulder for a bit. I also hadn't been able to spend much time with Casie and Chuck, so I was glad for some time to visit with them. We all headed to bed around 10:00 I think. I was exhausted.
Friday morning I was up around 6:30. Dad and Casie were already on the couch watching TV (I knew this before I got up). Neither of them slept very well. Dad was hurting. For Casie, the bed was too small, they are used to sleeping in a King size bed, ours is a double (Casie's old bed as a matter of fact). Marlie grunted all night and that room is small, so I am sure they felt cramped. At any rate, I found myself feeling bad. Before I knew it, Casie and Chuck were gathering things up and packing. I was disappointed. I had hoped that they would stay at least till that evening (Casie had said that was the plan) or maybe even till Saturday morning. I felt like I hadn't had any time with them and now they were leaving. By 7:30 they were on the road. My heart broke just a little.
Mom and Dad visited a bit after Casie and Chuck left. Then I helped Mom get everything packed up. Dad was hurting pretty badly and I didn't want him to have to do it. Tancy loaded things into their vehicle. By 9:00(ish) they were on the road and I cried like a baby. Just soo many emotions and feelings. I felt raw and couldn't do anything but cry. I did for some time and just talked to Tancy about how I felt. I knew Mom and Dad had to go, if they had talked about staying, I would have insisted that they head home. But I didn't expect Casie and Chuck to be leaving when they did. I think the day Casie leaves is harder than when Mom and Dad leave... I am not sure why. Maybe because I anticipate seeing Mom and Dad in a few weeks. Maybe because I had nearly a week with Mom and Dad and barely 24 hours with Casie. I don't know.
I managed to pull myself together and we got ready to head over to Mandy's. She was having a get together for the girls, to celebrate our "committment", at her house. We waited for Jessi and Joe to get here and then we headed out. Not long after we got there, Tylor arrived. They started working on my three-wheeler, they wanted to ride it. Between Tancy, Tylor and Poppy, they got it running and every body got to ride it around the yard. It was alot of fun. Lil Jenn and Mackenzie came over to celebrate with us. Shortly after, Jenn & Tabetha arrived. We had left overs for dinner. There was also trail bologna, cheese and dip to snack on. It was a good time. We watched the kids play in the floor and chatted. It was just like any other family get together. We appreciate greatly the girls being there for us and their congratulations.
After the girls left and went home I camped out on the couch. I had woken up with some pretty severe chest congestion (which pissed me off, how could that be, I am taking antibiotics!). So I got comfy and just chilled out while the Dean girls, and Joe, played cards. It was funny to be a part of. I didn't play, but I got a kick out of them. It was 11:00 before we left there and my voice was almost completely gone. I croaked more than talked. Iwas miserable. So, we headed home and to bed. I decided that if I woke up feeling the same way I would stay home and in bed.
Saturday morning we woke to the phone ringing, 8:30 I think it was. They were having breakfast and then Joe, Jessi and Zack would be leaving for Ohio. Tancy offered to go for a bit and me to stay home. I couldn't do that. I wouldn't if it had been my sister and I wouldn't with Jess either. So I got up and got dressed and we headed out. They were just sitting down, so we didn't miss much. By 11:00 they were on the road and we all settled down to the quiet. By 1:00 Lauren and I headed out to pick up Pizza Hut. We sat around and watched TV, watched Nana, Poppy and Mandy sleep sitting up. Tancy and Lauren tinkered with the three wheeler some more. I just rested on the couch. Around 5:00 the Shady Pines group livened up a bit and we played some card games. It was alot of fun. I joined in this time. Just trying to soak up the last bit of time we had with them. It was 10:30 or so when we left to head home. I was exhausted.
Sunday morning we were up at 7:30 I think. I declared that I would be in my pajamas, on the couch, all day. I did not disappoint! That evening I managed a shower and clean pajamas. Then back to the couch. I had just felt so terrible and had been running for so long, I needed that down time. We were in bed by 8:00 and TV off by 9:00. I slept in fits. Hot one minute, cold the next, brain running all night. I was up every two or three hours. Absolutely miserable. At 4:30 Scout puked in the floor, the remains of the bar of soap she'd eaten in the hall bathroom. I took them out, Tancy cleaned up. Back to bed. Freezing and exhausted. At 5:00 Hemmi puked the remains of the bar of soap that he and Scout had shared. I took them out, Tancy cleaned up. I started the coffee, she got ready for work. I brought the coffee to her and climbed back in bed. We watched the news till she left. I went back to sleep.
I slept till 9:30. And I still feel exhausted. I don't plan on doing anything today... just resting a bit more. I, for some reason, feel like I should take that opportunity today, I might not have it again this week... which doesn't make sense, but I'll listen.
I think I've got ya all caught up on the time I've missed. I hope you enjoyed it, I tried to provide as much detail as I could. I had a great time with all the family in. I couldn't as for a better support system. We are very lucky. I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving!
Love to all!
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