Snow day!

January 22, 2025, 11:27 pm

≫ Next: Can January just fucking be over already?

There have been two different snowstorms in the past couple of weeks. Most of the snow is gone, but it was pretty!

I put Charlotte in the new pink snowsuit. Maisie is so cute in her sweater!

One last Christmas photo- I bought the AG Barbie Day to Night set. I put it on Rapunzel first, and posed her with my Barbie tree!

It's bitterly cold right now. I hate this time of year. The Christmas decorations are almost all put away.

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Can January just fucking be over already?

January 29, 2025, 7:28 pm

≫ Next: Belle!

≪ Previous: Snow day!

I'm not even talking about Trump's first week in office.

A Blackhawk helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet collided mid-air and crashed into the Potomac River tonight. At least 64 people are probably dead. Not the news D.C. needs right now.

On a personal note, Katie's brother in law,
Richard, had surgery to implant a pacemaker today. It was a sudden thing. He's recovering and doing okay so far. It still sucks.

ETA: No survivors. 67 total dead. There were figure skaters, mostly kids, and their coaches on board. And today, Trump is blaming "DEI hires". He did this with no evidence, no idea who was piloting or in the tower. I hate him so much. Meanwhile, our former President and Vice President sent heartfelt messages to the families. No politics or blame.

Adding new tags: Not my President and Fuck Trump.

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Belle!

February 12, 2025, 1:02 am

≫ Next: Well, this sucks.

≪ Previous: Can January just fucking be over already?

She got here last Friday. She's perfect!

I'll get Moana this summer. The fall limited editions are Wicked's Elphaba and Glinda (yes, Elphie will be green!), and Wednesday Addams from the Wednesday television show. Elphaba and Glinda are $310 each. I'm making my own Elphaba. I have Kavi's costumes, and I just need to dye a doll green! That will be my big spring project. I did finally get to see the Wicked movie. It was wonderful, and I can't wait for part two next fall.

I've had a terrible cold, and Mom has had Covid. We just had another snowstorm. I'm sick of winter!

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Well, this sucks.

February 13, 2025, 1:38 pm

≫ Next: Covid sucks.

≪ Previous: Belle!

Five years of being careful, wearing masks, getting vaccinated and boosted...and I have Covid-19. I guess it was my turn. Everyone in my family has had it.

So much for my weekend plans. Saturday is the first Oktoberfest craft day at church, and I was supposed to go to a 1920s themed wine tasting dinner with Katie Saturday night.

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Covid sucks.

February 15, 2025, 4:54 pm

≫ Next: A bad start to the week.

≪ Previous: Well, this sucks.

I barely have the energy to do what I need to do, much less what I want to do. I went to Urgent Care yesterday, and got a prescription for Paxlovid. It seems to be helping, but it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It's killing my appetite.

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A bad start to the week.

February 18, 2025, 8:48 am

≫ Next: Yay!

≪ Previous: Covid sucks.

Mom fell in the bathroom yesterday and Dad had to call an ambulance. She had been throwing up all night and was dehydrated. She was also throwing up blood again. They're keeping her in the hospital a couple of days to do tests. She's feeling better after they gave her a blood transfusion, fluids, and painkillers. She's going to have another endoscopy to look for the source of the bleeding. I don't know when she'll be able to come home. And I can't go see her until I have a negative Covid test.

Covid really kicked my butt, and I only had a mild case. I'm feeling much better, but I'm tired. I have one more dose of Paxlovid to go. I hope my next test is negative. I hate not being able to see Mom in the hospital.

Other bad news yesterday- another plane crash, this time in Toronto. A Delta flight crash landed, caught fire, and flipped upside-down. Incredibly, no one was killed, and only a few serious injuries! Bravo to the flight attendants who got the passengers out so quickly.

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Yay!

February 19, 2025, 7:11 am

≫ Next: Snow again.

≪ Previous: A bad start to the week.

My Covid test was negative this morning!

Mom is still in the hospital. She told me to stay home despite the negative test. I don't know when she'll be home. They're doing more tests today.

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Snow again.

February 19, 2025, 1:13 pm

≫ Next: More bad news.

≪ Previous: Yay!

It started this morning. We're going to possibly get 8 to 10 inches.

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More bad news.

February 19, 2025, 3:22 pm

≫ Next: More trouble.

≪ Previous: Snow again.

Mom may have to have surgery. She may have an ulcer or something else that needs to be repaired. I have no idea when they'll do that.

Next, the choir director from our old church, Mr. McCoy, died last week and we just found out. He retired around the same time that my family left (and for similar reasons). We all want to try to get to the funeral next week, but it's in Norfolk, and there is going to be yet another snowstorm. Bite me, Mother Nature!

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More trouble.

February 21, 2025, 10:52 pm

≫ Next: Argh.

≪ Previous: More bad news.

My mom is still in the hospital. She was getting better, and was supposed to go home yesterday, but now she has a torn Achilles tendon. She can barely stand, let alone walk. She has to wait for an orthopedic surgeon consult. The worst part is, the tear happened after she got her hospital room- so it's the hospital's fault.

Meanwhile, some photos from today- the flowers and balloon my dad and I gave her, and the robot that moves around the hall with meds. She was charging here. How do I know she's a girl? The pink bow on her head! There's also a nice little chapel on Mom's floor, but it was closed when I went back to get a picture.

It was so weird going into the hospital as a visitor instead of as a patient. Mom's floor is nicer than mine was!

Our choir director's funeral is actually tomorrow. There was no way any of us could have gone, even if Mom wasn't in the hospital. We'll just have to make a donation to whatever charity the family supports.

ETA- the funeral was live streamed. I didn't know until it was too late.

I finished a cross stitched piece last week that sums up January and February:

I am done with Covid. Negative tests three days in a row. I feel better, but I'm still tired. A mild case kicked my ass. I'd hate to think what a severe case would have done to me!

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Argh.

February 22, 2025, 6:47 pm

≫ Next: Home at last.

≪ Previous: More trouble.

Mom's stuck in the hospital for one more night. The orthopedic staff was backlogged all day (lots of accidents, my sister said there was a lot of ambulance activity). They couldn't get to her to discuss her MRI results, and they can't discharge her until they do that. Frankly, I think Mom needs to sue the hospital for the extra stay cost because the injury was their damn fault. I just want Mom out of the hospital!

In addition to being worried/frustrated about my mom, I was feeling pretty bad today. I had the same weird, sick feeling I had the week before I had Covid. I was shivering a bit, had a "tilting" feeling (not dizziness), but no fever. I've been drinking extra water all day and resting when I can. I hope I don't end up with long Covid.

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Home at last.

February 23, 2025, 8:54 pm

≫ Next: All clear.

≪ Previous: Argh.

Mom is finally back home. I can't believe they kept her two extra nights for what turned out to be a sprain. She's doing okay with the boot and walker. She won't need the walker for long.

Meanwhile, I'm still not over Covid. Tests were negative, but I have aches and chills like I had during chemo back in 2018. Mom wants me to go back to Urgent Care, but there's really not much they can do for me. I did have a slight fever today.

We had a bit of a pizza and ice cream party at dinner for Mom's homecoming. She was very happy to be done with hospital food!

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All clear.

February 25, 2025, 8:37 am

≫ Next: More medical stuff.

≪ Previous: Home at last.

Mom was worried about my dizzy spells and fatigue post Covid. She practically ordered me to go to Urgent Care. I just got back. I'm okay. The dizziness came from fluid buildup in my left ear, which is why I had that "tilting to the left" feeling. My lungs are clear, no more Covid. The times I briefly had trouble breathing were the last bits of Covid. The PA did a quick neurological exam to make sure it wasn't my brain! I just need to use nasal spray and decongestants until my ears clear up, and rest when I feel fatigued.

Mom got out of the hospital two days ago, and she's already worrying about me. I guess when your kid is a cancer survivor, you're going to freak out about every little sniffle. But now that I know I'll be fine, I can go back to helping her.

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More medical stuff.

March 3, 2025, 9:16 pm

≫ Next: March Madness...

≪ Previous: All clear.

Mom has to have surgery to repair a hiatal hernia. She's actually had it most of her life, but her doctor thinks it was behind the bleeding. The surgery is set for April. Meanwhile, she's doing much better with her foot/ankle. She's been able to climb the stairs and shower, which really made her happy.

I had to babysit Maisie at home last week. It was nuts. I was afraid she and Rory would fight. They got along okay for the most part...

Rory sat on my lap for a bit while Maisie napped in her crate. They didn't bother each other until the end of the day. Maisie barked at Rory, who then hid. Sigh. It had been going so well!

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March Madness...

March 25, 2025, 9:28 pm

≫ Next: Seven years.

≪ Previous: More medical stuff.

Colorado State got to the second round of the NCAA Men's basketball playoffs, and lost a in a heartbreaker to Maryland. One point! The Terps got a ball in the basket on literally the last second of the game. Boo! If they had missed, the Rams would have gone to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since the 60s! Maybe next year...at least they got to dance.

We had a wonderful St. Patrick's Day dinner at church last week. There was lots of good food (cabbage, corned beef, potatoes, and soda bread) and drinks, and we were entertained by a group of young Irish dancers. They were amazing. Some of those kids have competed on a national level, and have danced in Ireland!

Some photos-

Yum!

My annual holiday doll display:

Rory is not a fan of the holiday.

First daffodils!

A cross stitch finish that sums up the last three months:

Most of my cross stitch this year is going to be snarky political stuff.

Mom's surgery is on April 7th. That's almost one year to the date of my surgery! Sam and Devon (and probably Astro) are coming down for Palm Sunday, but can't make it for Easter. I'm glad they'll be here. We're going out to eat on both Sundays, because hosting will be too hard on Mom, even if I do all of the cooking. No spanakopita this Easter. I'll make it for Mother's Day. I will bake a cake and cookies for church.

I have new matching sister outfits for some of the dolls! Corinne and Gwynn:

Charlotte and Camille:

My other sister sets have similar, but not quite matching outfits. This is one of my favorite times of the year- dressing the dolls and decorating for spring!

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Seven years.

March 25, 2025, 9:46 pm

≫ Next: Update.

≪ Previous: March Madness...

I completely forgot to post on my cancerversary two weeks ago! I can't believe it's been that long. And I'm still cancer free!

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Update.

April 7, 2025, 3:36 pm

≫ Next: That was quick.

≪ Previous: Seven years.

Mom's surgery went well, and she's recovering. I'll see her at the hospital tomorrow. She's probably going to be there at least two nights.

Another cross stitch finish- a parody of the Oregon Trail game "you have died of dysentery" message.

Mom's porch goose is dressed like an Easter bunny!

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That was quick.

April 8, 2025, 8:58 pm

≫ Next: My sweet boy.

≪ Previous: Update.

Mom was discharged from the hospital this afternoon, 24 hours after the surgery. She's okay, but in a lot of pain. She has plenty of painkillers. She also has to follow a liquid/soft foods diet for a week. Her follow-up with the surgeon is on Monday.

I can't believe they let her go home so soon. Her insurance allowed for two nights, and I think she could have used a second night. Her doctors obviously felt otherwise. Last year, I was kept in for a third night, and my surgery was a bit less complicated than hers.

Speaking of surgeries, my hernia repair was a year ago this week. I'm still having some pain from that surgery, and the gallbladder removal, too. The scars still look awful.

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My sweet boy.

April 18, 2025, 9:39 am

≫ Next: I miss Rory.

≪ Previous: That was quick.

My last ever photo of Rory. He was put to sleep an hour ago, and I held him until the end. RIP, Rory. 2011-2025. He was way sicker than anyone thought. Even with aggressive treatment, he wouldn't have lasted long. Putting him down was the best option.

He really was the best cat ever. I don't think I'll ever get another.

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I miss Rory.

April 25, 2025, 11:13 pm

≫ Next: Easter 2025.

≪ Previous: My sweet boy.

I can't believe it's been a week since he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. His ashes and paw print arrived today, along with a "certificate of cremation" and condolence letter.

Lovely presentation. I need to find a perfect photo for the paw print case. The ashes will be buried under a new flowering bush. We're going to bury him near Eddie's azalea.

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Easter 2025.

April 25, 2025, 11:29 pm

≫ Next: A final goodbye.

≪ Previous: I miss Rory.

I had a really hard time being cheerful this Easter Sunday. Mom is still recovering from surgery and couldn't go to church or dinner with the rest of us. And of course, we're all sad about Rory. The service was fine, but the choir was small. We managed to sing well, but there were only five of us.

Dad and Katie and I went to our favorite tapas restaurant for dinner, and took a pasta dish home for Mom. She is able to eat more, but is limited to what types of food she can have. Pasta is the newest addition, and she's very happy about it!

My Easter displays:

The altar at church:

More spring photos: the first irises, and a very early nest of house finch chicks! They're about to fly away. There are five babies this year.

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A final goodbye.

May 11, 2025, 9:43 am

≫ Next: Oh, squee!

≪ Previous: Easter 2025.

Katie and I buried Rory's ashes this week. Mom bought a Beauty Berry bush to plant with it.

I miss my cat so much. The house feels so empty without him.

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Oh, squee!

May 17, 2025, 9:05 pm

≫ Next: Interesting days...

≪ Previous: A final goodbye.

The AG GOTY for 2026, Raquel Reyes, has been leaked. She's gorgeous, and I like the look of her collection. The rumored story for Raquel is that she is a descendant of Samantha Parkington, the OG AG!

I love that she's into pickleball. That's a new hobby for a GOTY! The name on the pickleball bag is Piney Point, which was a retreat in Samantha's stories.

The leak came from the AG website (it's gone now), so it's legit. I doubt it was supposed to go out. Oops. I definitely want her and most of her outfits. I'm still getting Moana next month.

Non-doll stuff-

I really wanted to see Whose Live in Richmond last month, but it was just too short of a notice. I heard that the show was great, but only Greg and Jeff were there, plus two comedians I've never heard of. Maybe next year I'll make it.

I have new hearing aids. Beltone had a special, and my insurance actually covers most of the price. They're terrific. I can't believe how much sound I've missed, even with my decent old aid.

Speaking of insurance, my hernia repair surgery is now fully paid for! Crossing my fingers that I don't get sick again.

Katie got another all-clear from her oncologist! Her fifth cancerversary is in August, and she's still cancer free!

Mom is feeling better. She wants to take a couple of small trips in July and August, after Katie gets back from Canada. Katie's going to a Rotary conference with a friend, and they'll be gone for three weeks. I get to stay with Maisie for three weeks! Mom wants to go to Virginia Beach and D.C., and I want to spend some time in Richmond.

Rory has been gone for one month as of today. I miss him so much. It's going to be a long time before I stop hurting. His Beauty Berry bush is thriving, though.

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Interesting days...

June 3, 2025, 7:02 pm

≫ Next: A nice little break.

≪ Previous: Oh, squee!

There was a second nest of finch chicks and one cowbird chick. They'd all hatched and were doing well...until some critter got to the nest and ate all of them. Poor babies! It was possibly a snake or a hawk (no cat could get up there). Nature is a real bitch sometimes.

The nest was emptied so thoroughly that it was if nothing had been there.

My family had an interesting post church lunch a couple of weeks ago. A small plane crashed in the creek near the cafe where we had lunch. The only person on board was the pilot, and he's okay. The crash happened on Saturday, and they were recovering the wreckage on that Sunday.

That was an unexpected side show to go along with lunch!

I always like to go to the Machodoc Creek Marina and Cafe. They had amazing fried green tomatoes as an appetizer that day, and I had crab cake sliders for lunch.

Katie and I are at Massanutten Resort tonight. One of her friends had a scrapbooking and card making event, so that was fun. We're going to a winery on the way home tomorrow.

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A nice little break.

June 11, 2025, 8:18 pm

≪ Previous: Interesting days...

Katie's sorority sister Stephanie has a very nice condo at Massanutten Resort. We only stayed one night, but we packed in a lot of stuff in our two day girls' trip! The first day was spent working on scrapbooks and making cards. Stephanie has a scrapbook and card business, so she did some demonstrations of products. She has some really nice stuff.

It's so pretty in Massanutten.

Katie worked on her Greece/Turkey scrapbook, and I made a bunch of Christmas cards.

Ezri approved of the bed, and was disappointed that I didn't try out the whirlpool!

After breakfast, Katie and I went to White Oak Lavender Farm and Winery. That was fun. We tried several wines in flights (slushy and regular). Some wines were infused with lavender.

It's a beautiful spot. We didn't want to leave!

Ezri liked it there, too.

Our last stop was Green Valley Book Fair and Auction. It's basically a warehouse filled with overstock or damaged books and book related gifts. It was so much fun. I ended up with a scrapbooking kit, cross stitch kit, doll sized party hats, and a Mickey Mouse Pyrex dish (very small!)- for barely eleven dollars. The book alone was originally thirty!

So many books, so little time.

Not quite two days, but we had so much fun. I hope we can do more little trips when she gets back from Canada.

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