Happy Saturday! I’m finally linking up with Doodlebugs Teaching after a two week hiatus.
Last weekend, I went to Arizona with my immediate family (mom, dad, two sisters, and my brother) to celebrate my Grandma’s 95th birthday. Kerry flew in and then we rented a Suburban and picked up my aunt on the way. No spouses or kids came . . . we wanted to keep it low-key for my Grandma and Grandpa. However, this is my teeny tiny family. My dad only has one sister and she never married or had kids.
I have mentioned before that my Grandma lost both of her legs in a horrible freak accident when she was 89. She is absolutely amazing to all of us. She is always smiling, always positive, and never wants to upset the apple cart. She won’t tell us if she’s cold or in pain or tired or anything . . . she just has the best spirit! And, in spite of her accident, she LOOKS AND ACTS THE SAME AS SHE ALWAYS HAS.
It’s like she never missed a beat when most people would have wanted to give up. It’s so inspiring!
She and my grandpa (who just went through chemo) live on their own. They have a caretaker come in from 8:00 to noon every day, but other than that – it’s just the two of them. I KNOW!!! The caretaker took the picture of us and had a difficult time keeping her hand still which is why the photo is blurry.
Which is why all 20 photos are blurry. Oh well. Blurry means less wrinkles to see on my forehead.
It was a great weekend! I love spending time with my family. We laughed a lot and ate junk food and spent a lot of time in pjs. It was awesome!
While driving in the car for six hours each way, I managed to read two books. I am so happy that I can read in the car (even in the very back of a Suburban) without feeling sick. It makes car rides very enjoyable. Also, my older sister pretty much drove the entire way (both ways) because she says she loves to drive. I honestly think she didn’t want to have sit in the very back and/or sit in the middle of the second row. I had to do both. My mom, Kerry, and I took turns.
In between rotating seats, eating Mike and Ike’s, chit chatting, and laughing, I was reading.
If you have not read Me Before You, get it. GET IT. I am reading the sequel now. GET IT!!! That’s all I’ll say.
Obviously, I don’t want to get into any controversy or upset anyone over Scientology, but I love Leah Remini and watched King of Queens every Monday with Steve when we first moved into our house. I have a distinct memory of saying Yay! It’s Monday! The King of Queens and Everybody Loves Raymond is on tonight! And Steve saying something like you’re weird.
Anyways, this book is FASCINATING. I would read certain parts of it to anyone in the car who would listen.
It also gave a little glimpse into Tom Cruise’s life which was a bonus.
I do not have a picture for number three this week.
Number three this week was Veteran’s Day. I am thankful to all of our veterans, especially my father-in-law, Den, who is a retired Marine. When Steve and I first started dating, Den was overseas during the first Gulf War. When he finally came home, Steve and I had been dating for over a year when I first met Den. And meanwhile, his mom was raising FIVE KIDS on her own on base. It’s a hard lifestyle and definitely a sacrifice.
Being thankful for veterans is hard work so I made a plan to stay home all day and not leave the house. Steve supported my plan and kept saying I needed to rest and enjoy the day so he made it possible.
Really. He made it possible. He brought me a Starbucks in the morning and picked up dinner on his way home. I am not ashamed to say that I never opened the door of my house and I never got out of my pajamas.
It was a GLORIOUS day. I started binge watching a show on Netflix called Chasing Life. It’s no Parenthood, but it’s pretty good.
One other thing I did on my day off was start working on a Holiday pack of Partner Plays featuring Murphie and Milo. I enjoy writing so this wasn’t work. I have an Advanced set of Holiday plays, but I’ve received some requests for ones with Murphie and Milo.
Who am I to object? Christina of Mrs. Winter’s Bliss asked me to write one that shows how Murphie and Milo met, and gave me the idea that Murphie gets Milo for Christmas . . . I think Christina loves these characters more than I do. 🙂
The Advanced Plays are my very favorite to write because I don’t have to worry about CVC words and picture clues, etc. I hope to finish this pack up by the end of the week so I can prep it for my class and have it ready when we return from Thanksgiving break. I have a group of about six students who are ready for this level. 🙂 I can’t wait to introduce them to Murphie and Milo!
I am so sad about the attacks in Paris. I have been praying and will continue to pray.
Hug your loved ones close.
And enjoy your weekend.
I cannot wait for you to put the new plays in your store!! Yay! So excited. (P.S. You are a lucky duck. I cannot read at all in the car without vomit being involved…)
I'm so glad you are back with 5 for Friday the last 2 Saturdays have been weird not having your blog post to read.
Erika
Me before You is one of my FAVORITES! Changed my life. The sequel is great too. Really, just go and read all of JoJo Moyes books!
Yay! I love the show Chasing Life. I hope it returns for a third season.