ALL HABIT BREAKING SHOULD BE THIS EASY

The Grandbaby loves her pacifier.  And yes, she's old enough to not love it anymore.  The Grandbaby is only allowed to have it at bedtime and upon awaking in the mornings.  This is except, of course, when she sleeps over at Neema and Poppa's house.  The mean Neema doesn't have a paci.  Or doesn't allow the one she has to be seen.  You determine which.

For all of you who read my prior post yesterday, you will recall that my extended household suffered flu last week and some of us unfortunately are still in recovery mode.  Namely me.  And you will recall my houseguests for the week were The Girl and The Grandbaby while The Son-in-Law was out of town.

With the terribleness of the flu, a big effort was made to rid of germs and keep them from reinfecting.  That meant Winnie-the-Pooh and Princess toothbrushes had to be trashed along with the paci that had been used regularly.  The Girl, when driven for the mid week pediatrician's visit and trip to the drugstore, bought a new one.  The new one was not exactly like the old one but as close as could get. The old one was trashed.  I know this because I trashed it.  Here's a farewell look at the "my little star".  RIP.

The night came and so did the question from The Grandbaby....paci?  The Girl told her the paci was on the counter clean and ready.  The Grandbaby found it, eyed it and contemplated.  Then she reached, picked it up, and put it in her mouth--immediately to bring it right back out with a nasty facial expression and a loud "EEWWWW....I like not that paci."  She took it out and tried it again and even louder "EEEWWWW....I like not that paci."  I looked at her calmly and said, "There are no more paci's here.  You just go on to bed and go to sleep."

And that's exactly what she did.  And what she continues to do each and every night.  No paci!

Now can potty training be so easy?  PLEASE?

BRUTAL

Today marks one week since I have been out of my house.  I think I will be wearing regular clothes today instead of pajamas.  Maybe.

A week ago this past weekend, The Grandbaby got suddenly sick.  High, high fever.  Lethargy.  Pitiful.  A trip to the urgent care showed no strep and the assumption was that the problem was either flu or virus.  She remained sick all weekend.  The Girl made her a pediatrician's appointment for Monday morning.  The diagnosis remained the same and time hopefully would send improvement.

Later on Monday, I began with a fever.  I went to the doctor immediately and tested positive for flu Type A. The doctor told me to go home, stay with The Grandbaby and send The Girl to be tested.  The Girl tested negative.   I got worse quickly and spent the next day in the bed.  So so sick.

The next day The Girl began with a fever.  That night The Grandbaby began with a high fever again.  The Husband took the two of them back to the pediatrician on Wednesday morning and The Grandbaby did test positive for flu Type A.  She continued being sick until Friday. The Girl had a mild case thankfully.  The bulk of the sick fell to The Grandbaby and me.  I understand better now when folks say the flu is really hard on senior adults and young children.  They ain't lying.

Oh, did I mention The Son-In-Law was out of town all week on business?  All us sick folks were here at our house.  The Husband was a rock.   He must have watched Pocahontas a dozen times in those four days.  And yes, all of us with the exception of The Grandbaby took Tamiflu.

I have had the REAL flu two other times in my life--once when a teenager and once about 35 years ago.  If you tell me you have had the flu and felt bad a day or two, I will argue that you didn't have the REAL flu.  I don't know how long it's going to take to recover totally.  My diagnosis came on the heels of a bad case of bronchitis and sinus infection AND a week of intestine/adhesion flare along with that.  My immune system, compromised on a normal day, really was compromised the past month.  It ain't been fun.

During one of our 30 minute times of feeling a bit better, The Grandbaby and I had a mani/pedi session.  I thought you might enjoy seeing that.  It's the only time in my life I've ever had my nails painted lellow.  I gave The Grandbaby rainbow toenails with princess colors, no less.

The Grandbaby and I stayed home from church together yesterday morning.  I didn't want us giving any residual germs away nor did I want to gather any new germs from someone else.

We cough on but look forward to a recovering week ahead.  Surely.  At least there are rainbows even if they are on little toenails!

THE GIRL'S BIRTHDAY

I began my week this past Monday morning with a continuing bout of bronchitis and sinus infection and before the morning was over had added a dreaded adhesion pain and flare.  I won't get into it all except to say that it's been a hard week for me and my health.  I even felt entitled on Wednesday to wallow in a bit of self-pity.  After wallowing a bit, I got myself in line and moved on with my week.  I must practice the faith I preach.

I ended the 5-day week tonight with a good dose of blessings.    It was on this day 38 years ago that our family of two became a family of three.  Yes, The Girl enjoyed a birthday today.

We didn't have much then and don't have much now but we had the three of us together and a whole lot of love.  This was our first Christmas.

Our little girl gave us one delight after another as a child and continues even now with each passing day....a blessing.

This is a preschool picture back in 1986....a blessing.

Her love of playing the piano delights us each and every Sunday...yet another blessing.

Even though she was an only child, she made friends.  Here are two that still live with us today....Susie and Amy.  Amy is the one with the head injury.

The Girl always studied hard and treated others nicely.  She always made us proud.  This picture's purpose is to show you how The Girl looks in shorter hair AND how much The Husband and I have changed.

The Girl followed her heart to The Son-In-Law and then along came The Grandbaby.  Blessings continued on then and continue on now.

We celebrated tonight as we have the other 37 years with gifts and sugar free ice cream cake.  From the smile of The Grandbaby, she's learning birthday fun, even when it's not her own birthday.

The Girl's gift included matching shoes for her and her girl.

I have always prayed for The Girl at various stages of her life and the Lord has always supplied.  I often just stand in awe of the wonderful woman this little girl has grown to be.  I've watched as she has excelled in school and work but most of all, but most importantly I've watched as she excelled in life.  Sometimes that hasn't been easy.  She has endured living with diabetes and she has endured much fear in her life.  She has shown courage and grace.  Through it all, if possible to be more so, she has become stronger, kinder, more tolerant, and more loving.  I learn from her each day.

I guess the best wish I could wish for her and The Son-In-Law is that after 36 more years, they will be able to experience the feelings about their little girl that I have experienced on this night.

So to the girl who made me a mama and a proud one at that, happy birthday!  Your parents love you more than you can imagine.

IT'S BEEN WAY TOO LONG.......

Yes, my faithful blog readers, it's been way too long since I shared.  Life overtook me in full force, boggling my mind and emotions and taking thoughts of this blog far away from my thoughts.  There's been a surgery of a dear friend, an earthly loss of a dear friend, more sinus mess, busyness, and fatigue.  I'm sure there has been other issues, too, but they are too numerous to name.

As the weather here this past weekend took a turn for the warm in February, I was able to relax a bit on my front porch Sunday afternoon with my camera and The Grandbaby.  Both of those things give me great delight.  To get back into the "blog groove", I decided this morning I would share some of that delight with you.

Balls and bubbles are popular activities on my front porch.  This day, though, bubbles were the most fun....She usually wants to use the "geen" bottle even though they are both the same bubbles.

My favorite photo of the day.....simple simple joy.....

Of course, this girl doesn't like bubbles on her hands so she needed hand wipes...

...and decided the porch floor needed to be wiped of the wetness....duh.

Being the teaching "Neema" that I am, I encouraged a more useful wiping of the storm door.  This could be a good thing to learn before spring cleaning time.  And yes, for all you fashion divas, I realized the red hair bow didn't match the pink outfit but let it go....let it go...

She liked the process.  Ah, the joy of youth...

There was tricycle riding, sliding, smiles and wonder...a nice hour of fun and relaxing.

The night before this, The Grandbaby and The Son-In-Law enjoyed a daddy/daughter date at the local favorite chicken restaurant.  The Girl took some photos before that...I'm sure she won't mind my sharing.  Actually, The Girl did a great job at her photography.

Ya reckon she has on enough bracelets?  I think The Girl is learning that one picks their battles and bracelets ain't one to pick.

"For God has given us these times of joy"....Psalm 81:4

Ahhh...........