Nat-urday Healing

What a winter wonderland we awoke to this morning. Caught Ronnie RED Handed outside this morning brushing cars off....5 days after a 3 & 1/2 hour hernia surgery that was supposed to be a quick one hour in and out ... followed by a very intense recovery room experience where his blood pressure dropped & he became shock-y & concerned the nurses & his wife...so stitches in tact, hes outside this morning grinning as Im looking at him from the door as if he lost his mind....I told him if he needs to DO something, he could DO the dishes!
WHATEVER!
So Natalie & the kids left yesterday & gratefully missed this weather going back to Jersey. I am pretty proud of myself, the neighbors werent snickering because Jordan & Ronnie had to pry my body off of their bumper as they left the drive way & I see lil Nats tattooed stamped hand waving goodbye.
OMGAWD! Dont think for a minute that hanging on their bumper did NOT cross my mind...
Its certainly NOT beneath me...
Nothing is when it comes to this little girl.
NO-THING!
My integrity is still in tact!
This time....
What a wonderful & healing visit it was. Dave called his brother, his best friend & they all went out to eat...
and....
to drink.....
LOTS of drinkin...
Im not sure I needed or wanted to hear all about shots they competed shooting...
Im in recovery...not them...
They were all pretty funny talking about the "Booty Shakin Bar" they went to...I cant picture either of my very manly sons "shakin their booties"
I think one may have...
they aint sayin much about that...
I got my money on the copper.....
Yeah, hes the one who woke up with the hangover the size of Texas....
Fried dough is a great hang over reliever...my dainty lil size 2 daughter in law sat down & threw 6 pieces down her gullet,then went back for 2 more.
She can do that & get away with it...she stays fit chasin Nat around.
Mannnnnn...I got a whole new respect for toddler owners...the back of my thighs, calves and.... and...
well my bootie shakin would make any of the "shakers" workin the pole the night in question very proud!
Pop Pop & I are certifiably beat! pooped.
Oh how cute was Natalie saying "Pop Pop...Pop pop...where my pop Pop? Nattie want Pop pop....
Yeah.....
NO!
At first the kids & I were all thinkin how stinkin sweet is that????? Of course olde Pop Pop is just beaming like a fool...She didnt want much of anything to do with any of us. I pick her up & shes struggling lookin for...yeah... Pop Pop...
WHATEVER!
The kids & I were all smilin in front of him...all sweet like but we were all lookin at each other rollin our eyes!!!!! It WAS getting a little annoying!
Rons cracking up saying "WHAAAT? I didnt do anything,...I cant help it...(she loves me)"
What does he know, hes all gooned up on dilaudid...
Lucky bast...
So Lana baked us all this sinful & I would imagine illegal or should be..Applebee Blondie with 100 % pure Vermont made syrup & Vanilla bean ice cream....
We spent 2 days eating, laughing, joking, picture taking...40 pictures to victimize each and every one of you at any given time...
OHHHH COME ON yall...you KNEW I was a Gramma idiot, so dont go acting all surprized NOW!

Pop pop was just beaming from ear to ear as he proudly exercized his right of passage & gave Nattie her first rub on (shhhh dont tell her its not real) Tattoo on her little hand...she calls it Pop pops Kakkoo!

All that experience did was make Ronnie want to have her sized for her first Leather jacket!

Unca Jordan was another problem....

and DORA!

Next visit...

Im banning anything having to do with Dora...

or Pop Pop...

Or anyone who diverts her attention to where it should be...

ON ME! Oh shes got my heart as no other.

The house is eerily & sadly quiet & clean.
I didnt even care for 2 full days it was TODDLER TRASHED! I was in my ever lovin sweet glory....

Can someone please pass the damn box of Kleenex?????

So back to life, back to reality. Im going to be starting a commisioned frog doll for a dear friendof mine who is married to one of my old (as in time not in age) counselors who I consider one of my Mentors today. Alceen honored me & asked me to create a frog for her emulating her personality & embracing her very passionate cause being an advocate for Domestic Violence. I will soon be knee deep in purple solids & prints making a dress & bloomers...ohhhh the sweet relief I always find in the healing qualities of Art Therapy.

Thank you all for stopping by & having a cuppa cawfee with me.

May we all smile & feel hope in our hearts for better tomorrows & embrace all of our todays...

thanks for being a part of mine♥

New England Blessings

My Toddler in Crime "Nat" is coming this weekend...Can we get a WHOO HOO?


Shes sportin her new denim jacket I made her last spring...Nampa...who Nat has decided... on her own one day to just up & change his name (maybe to protect his innocence) to "Pop Pop" who btw is finally scheduled AGAIN....for hernia surgery this Thursday, so as sore & gooned up as Im sure hell be, Nurse Nat will be exactly what the Dr. orders for smiles, & healing.

I cannot wait to see the kids & exchange presents with them for our belated Christmas. Nats Unca...Jordan & Tee Tee NoNo will be here as well. Unca will be here after he gets out of work at his NEW job...working for his favorite Car Dealership as in house Service Mechanic....oh dreams do come true dont they?

Rons surgery was cancelled last Thursday because of the 2 feet of snow Conn. got slammed with. This is a nightmare were both looking forward in seeing end.

This man is incredible...he is somehow pushing himself to work half days & all snow storms which hes out attending to as I type. Last week when he was out with his crew of 4 CrAzY guys who adore him, & had been out for 14 straight hours, he came home to dig us out... and he wasnt alone...he brought re-enforcements....these guys hopped out, grabbed 3 blowers,2 shovels, sand,& salt (looking & feeling exhausted) & all took charge & insisted Ron come in & warm up, recharge... but the Crew Pit Boss wouldnt hear of it.

Im so incredibly grateful to these hysterical & funny guys who had me belly laughing at their banter & teasing one another.
Im pretty sure not one of them would hop onto my Dollmaking/family/housewifey/writing/Blog to see how thankful I am to each of them...but stranger things have happened.

So Thank you Dan, Mark, Matt, and Dave.♥
Me? I attempted to go out before they got here & shovel...hackin up what felt like a lung...couldnt move with snow up to my thighs..I threw the shovel on the deck, came in & did what any sane, snowed in housewife would do...I made a hot egg & cheese sammy with Texas Pete Hot Sauce & spent the afternoon with The REAL Housewives of Atlanta!

Last night we were gonna have left over spaghetts, but since I am beginning to feel better from this Pneumonia, I decided to spice it up in the kitchen & give "The Pioneer Wife" Ree Drummond a little stiff competition... One fiesty redhead to another....& I so did!
I made these delicious ranch dipped parmesian/toasted onion/breaded chops.

Off the charts.
Mashed up some sweet potatoes & green beans & both Opie & Ronnie were lookin at me with eyes of wonder & love, love, love.
Watch out Ree, there may be a new sheriff in town!

I posted a picture of this months beautiful issue of "Recovering The Self" a Journal or Hope & Healing. The cover is exquisite, the articles just mesmerizing. Stories, poems, experiences, victories, overcomers & opening dialogue. I am simply humbled to be a part of each issue.

I shared the picture of Ronnie reading my article because his enthusiasm for what I write just overwhelmed me....My husband is alot of wonderful things but a reader???? ummmmm... not so much.
Not unless its got Harley parts, welding news, or Mixed Martial Arts ultimate fighters in it...so to see him sitting here intensly reading each sentence WITH his Bass Master Fishing Magazine waiting for him & he read this first?????oh heart of mine be still.

AAAAHHHHHHHHH......♥♥♥

Im also very excited to share that I was offered a new position as a Recovery Coach at the same Treatment Facility that helped save my life many years ago...A grant for this position was written, & now because of the funding, there are several requirements I must participate in, in order to meet these requirements. I have already attended an all day, very intensive training day & have become a member of the Patient Advocacy Group for NAMA... National Alliance for Medication Assisted Recovery.

Next is filling out apps,letters of ref. an interview & drug testing..bring THAT on... Im locked & loaded with so many helping me thru this nerve wracking process.
Ironically...my thumb surgery wont be happening for a couple of months so I am able to begin my new career without any immediate surgery dates comprimising or complicating any of this...

God is just blessing me & pushing me outside of my comfort zone to follow His will for me. Hes NEVER said no to me, so how could I? its not about me...not even about the high risk patients Ill be supporting..its ALL about Him!
In honor of all of my blessings, children, family, & opportunities Ive dedicated this entire month to designing & creating "Angels" I know Gods assigned me a birage of them & they dont always have wings.
My newest angels name is HOPE which I though very appropriate.

Before I close on a very personal note Ive thought carefully about replying to a comment left here, but feel I must. I will only reply this once & then moniter each future comment to avoid that which doesnt belong here. We are not victims, we are Victors in the name of our Heavenly Father.

...Attn. T.O.C. You do have family. You have chosen to publicly & privately denounce & now demote me to your "half sister" & have vehemently vowed to keep me out of your life.
It saddens me but respect your choice of this very long journey.
I love you, I continue to pray for your protection, recovery & peace. Sometimes we need to let go & let God do for us what were unable to do for ourselves. You are tucked tightly & closely in my heart & I pray that Peace & Grace happen for you...for us.