the sleep over

Seven great kids under the age of seven. One guy with muscles. Sweatshirts and spring jackets to combat the cool weather. Burnt popcorn from a busted microwave. Video of Ratatouille. and enough love to bust my sides.
Friday I had another cousin sleep over and I am still undecided who had a better time- me or them!
Danika is my competition as she found a place in Brett's "not to sure of kids" heart.
In the morning we all walked to Donutville and the conversation went something like this:
me: "okay, you guys, when we get there we need to remember our please and thank-yous. I am going to get each of you a donut but not a drink. I know you're going to be thirsty but we'll get something to drink back at my house."
um, after all the please and thank-yous this cheap but proud aunt gave in. chocolate milk for all!
after we settled in the booth for our sugar high, Jagger looked at me with a smirk and his big blue eyes:
Jagger: "you lied, aunt holly".
the conversation then covered aspects of a good lie and a bad one...hmmmm, I think this is one their parents can explain.
all I know is that I love my nephews and nieces. A lot.

dog lady and tulips

I did it.
I went crazy taking photos of Delsie and the tulips.
I just may die known as the dog lady with big hair.
I'd be okay with that if it were on my tombstone.
As long as she is buried next me,
Wow- what a digression.
I love this dog.

a taste of the z's

This video of Delsie snoring does not do it justice. But hopefully you will get a glimpse of D dog relaxing in her bed after a hard day of work. Even though her "work" entails snoring under my desk while I am at work! As D is getting older I am getting more nostalgic of moments like these. I love having her in my life and am so thankful she is a part of me- me legs, my heart, my strength....and the list goes on. I know no one is able to truly understand what she means to me but it is my hope that you get a kick out of her "z's" like I do...

i must remember.

I never want to forget the time in my life when I was staring out the window of the hospital for three months and confined to four walls while life seem to pass me by. I never want to forget the tears that flowed down my cheeks as I saw the Adams Street exit after a month and a half at U of M hospital knowing that I was on the road to recovery and returning home.

I am reminded of the "good" moments when I pass by these tulips amongst the weeds at the end of my street. It is a photo in my mind to remind myself that I am breathing. I feel the fresh air, the gentle breeze on my face. Its a reminder that I can eat. I am able to laugh. I can cry when it hurts and knowing tomorrow is a new day. I don't have IV's coming out of both arms and not rushing to the bathroom every two seconds.

I love this photo cuz it reminds me of Gods loyalty in my life. Even in the weeds He grows beautiful tulips- year after year. I never want to forget that so I am thankful that when I see sights like this, I won't forget.

bubble baths...

My doorbell chimes over a 100 different tunes but no one rings it. In my house, you just walk in. I have never heard Delsie bark...I totally lucked out- that isn't always the case with a service dog and my phone is set to one soft beep when someone calls. I choose to live a simple and quiet life. (accompanies the joy of living alone)
With all the peaceful bliss in my life it may seem like a mystery as to why I need to end the evening with a bubble bath in my huge tub. I am sure you have never wondered about my evening ritual or even care to know this random fact but humor me as I vent.
Although my life is not surrounded by chaos, I look forward to the evening as I fill my tub with bubbles and help circulate the blood that this darn chair has taken away from me.
I have found a 'jug" of bubble bath at Wal-Mart for a little over a dollar. But laziness and the cost of gas won out and I 'walked' over to Walgreens. The only option my budget could afford was this BOX of Calgon. This purchase has bothered me on many levels. Seriously, a box?! And this photo- we are in the 2000's, people.
But my biggest disappointment has been the lack of bubbles and the blue haze it creates in the water two seconds after I pour it in the cascading water. I am to cheap to but another jug until I finish this box. Until then, Colgon? Take it away!