"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Monday, October 03, 2022

 Good morning and Welcome! Get ready to read. 

I can't believe it has been two years and yet sometimes it feels like a decade.

I miss blogging and I have tried to keep up. I needed a break because it was taking so much of my time and in that period of my life, I didn't have that much time to devote to it.

I want to blog without rules and pressure.  I invite you to do the same with me.

                                 What has happened in the last two years?

Grandson finished college in three years - a double major in Marketing and Finance.  He moved out of the house and took an apartment in downtown Atlanta about two blocks where he took his first real job!!!!! Sorry about bragging - I am - but I am super proud of him.  He worked very hard to get here. 

I took his photo at the start of every year of school since kindergarten - this is the first day of his last year of college. 


Graduation dinner - May 2022 
My son made it down for the celebration.

August 1, 2022 - His first day at work - and yes, they are to wear jeans.  

He is still going with the same gal - a long time now. We love her too.

Daughter still teaching school - 8 more years until she can retire. She is looking towards that - she has worked hard, but it is hard to be a teacher. I think she needs a new pup - but she is not ready yet.

My husband last November 2021 was diagnosed with Acute Heart Failure. I was told he would die.  His heart was working at 7%.  It was months and months of doctors and treatments.  He had to change his diet - no salt - which was traumatic for him.  He had a pacemaker and defibrillator put in. He lost 25 pounds - looks too skinny to me.  He doesn't think about eating! And his heart is doing better - a miracle. It is up to working at 47%.  A MIRACLE.

We had to put our BELOVED Disco to sleep - he also had heart failure.  He just couldn't breathe and was wheezing and coughing all the time.  It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do - my daughter is still broken up over it.  One of the hardest things we have ever had to do.


Because of my husband's illness we really couldn't keep up with the house we had since 1986.  We decided to take the plunge and move into an apartment.  My grandson moved to his place.   It was a good time to move.  We did it mostly by ourselves in a couple months - bag by bag. Seriously.  Most of the furniture we did give to someone.  I was giving almost everything away to my nieces and nephews - which really loved them, and I felt so much better.  We did have a junk removal at the end - my hubs fault - the dreaded basement.  

          CHATTY DOES NOT WANT TO EVER MOVE AGAIN! I have PTSD about it.

Now I have had a lot of people kind of comment - an apartment?  But yes, an apartment and it works quite well for us.  We are on the ground floor.  NO STEPS AT ALL.  Two patios by how the apartment sits.  Pool.  Nice clubhouse.  They pick up our garbage.  We have a car wash here.  We are near the trash compactor if needed and the mail.  I think we got the best apartment in the complex.  Lucky and blessed.  Only 3 miles from our old house so everything is pretty much the same. And we did get to buy some new things for the apartment.



Me, I am 8 years breast cancer free - thank you God.  MIRACLE.

Still going to the same Methodist Church.  Church is very important to me. I don't know if you have heard, but the Methodists are splitting between those who still hold fundamental beliefs in the words of Jesus (me) (Global Methodist or Wesley) and the very liberal- (keeping the Methodist name) they are the Methodists who think the word LOVE can change anything God said and twist it around to change God's true meaning.  My opinion.      I think there is a difference between love and following His word.



I was also quite bummed over the election.  Yes, I was for Trump.  I am just going to be very honest here and want you to know where I stand so you can decide what you feel about this blog and if you want to follow me.  We just need to have mutual respect and not talk politics.

That brings us to Covid - my husband lost his brother to Covid about one- and one-half years ago.  I lost one of the best friends I ever had.

Joanie - it has been a year now.  One of the hardest losses I have ever had.


Lastly, grandson's other grandfather - the man in yellow - May 2022 at graduation dinner - a couple days later and I don't know the whole story - but he was having a dental procedure - he did have heart trouble before - but during the surgery something happened, and they rushed him to the hospital.  He had everything done for him they could do.  Fast forward six months later - he is in a nursing home. His eyes are open, but he doesn't talk or follow directions.  It is like he is awake, but not.  If anyone would send up a prayer for Charlie that would be wonderful.


                                                 NEXT, WE DECIDED TO ALL GO TO HAWAII!

We had so much stress going on with all this - that right after we moved, we were all sitting down talking, and grandson suggested a trip.  We ALL had the last week of July free for the first time ever!  We also felt it might not again - because you never ever know about life.  Plus, grandson had a job starting soon and who knows what will be happening there.  

We had never, ever, ever done anything like this, and it was spontaneous.  We planned it in a couple weeks.  We went to Kona and Honolulu - both total opposites.  We had a wonderful time and I feel it rewired our life a bit.  It was nice to have positivity and it really has spun things around. 

Swimming with the sharks.

My family did, I went on the boat, but I did not go in the cage for physical reasons. The boat was rocky, and the cage was rocky.  My poor grandson came up so seasick. 


One of the worlds few blowholes. 

                                                      Best steak we ever had!

LAUA

        One of my favorite things - the breeze and the trees swaying. I think it is going to be like my Heaven - I hope.                                                                 

Magnum was being filmed while we were there, and I hoped this was his car - but it wasn't.

                                Our hotel had a sandwich shop right by the dolphins.

Lastly - our dinner cruise with a lobster - first time I ever had lobster.

I hope you got through my two-year hiatus.  
It won't be this long again. 




PS I still did not get it out as planned in September.  Another emergency.  My 47-year-old son got news he had appendiceal cancer - appendix mucinous neoplasm - 1% of all cancers and possibly fatal.  So, life changed again.  He came to Emory, here in GA, to see a appendix cancer specialist.  You HAVE to have someone who knows what they are doing.  He had surgery on September 15, and he and his wife stayed here.

Well, God gave us another MIRACLE - after 4 doctors saying it was cancer - it was totally cancer free - and they had a specialist check it.  They took out the appendix.  The mucus ball that was attached without bursting it.  Part of the colon.  And the margins.  NO CANCER.  Thank you God!

So, what have you been doing the last two years?


17 comments:

acorn hollow said...

wow lots of miracles in your life! And sadness too. You have had a very busy 2 years. I think an apartment sounds lovely at this time in my life.
Cathy

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

So good to see you blogging again. I didn't realize it had been two years already. What a lot has happened in your life. Thankfully you all are doing well now. I will add Charlie to my prayer list. What a tragedy. Hope you keep on blogging now and we will hear more from you soon. I'm still blogging everyday. I too would never want to move again, but at least since the last move I have a lot less to deal with. I'm still living in the same place and love it hear.

jack69 said...

WOW! thanks for the update and news. We were pleased to hear of the spontaneous family vacation. We also did that once and it was great too.
You take care of yourself and be safe. It was a joy to see an alert from 'Chatty.'
Love ya
Sherry & jack (WE just drove around Atlanta a couple days ago at 4PM, ;-) )

Ginny Hartzler said...

Sandie, it is SO good to see your post!!! And you answered every question I had! I have so much enjoyed reading your last couple years. SO sorry about Charlie, how awful! And I have never heard if appendix cancer! But a doctor once told my mom that cancer can come into anything on or in your body. It sounds like you have the perfect apartment, it has everything!! I don't know if I would ever be able to move, physically! It would be so hard, what with over 50 years of stuff! I hope you took lots more pics of Hawaii and will be posting them. How were the twoplaces different?

ellie said...

Oh, it was good catching up. You certainly made up for lost time blogging. Certainly a roller coaster of events! I hope apartment life is treating you well. So good to get an update. Here's to a beautiful October. And lots amazing memories ahead. Thanks for being here ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Mevely317 said...

What a joy to see your name in my reader, Sandie! And wow(!) on all the blessings you and your family experienced. Excepting the loss of your BIL and best friend. And sweet Disco! My heart knows all about that kind of grief. There are no words.

You look so pretty in that last photograph, but I'm cracking up wondering what it is Rick was saying to you!

BTW, I'm right there with you on the fundamental beliefs and Mr. Trump. Our congregation is scheduled to vote next month, and I'm almost positive we'll be disaffiliating and going to the Global. Thank you for sharing this update! Hugs, Myra

betty said...

Sandie, I agree with you. Blog on your terms and just let it be. Whoever wants to read and comment will read and comment regardless. Thank you for the update. I knew some of it from being friends on Facebook and through emails but not all of it. So thankful for the improvement of your husband's heart and so thankful about the news of your son and being cancer free!! I totally agree with you about the 2020 election and I would definitely be sticking with the more traditional Methodist church upholding the Biblical views of things rather than the liberal if I was Methodist. It is a shame what has happened with some denominations. How fun with Hawaii!! What an adventure for sure and glad you did it! So true you just never know! Honestly, I think living in an apartment sounds good. No yard to maintain, they fix the things that are broken, etc., and it sounds like you got a great one! Always great to read what you are up to. Hoping to see more of it on your blog as you want to share what you want to share :)

betty

Terri D said...

Sandie, I was so excited to see your blog pop up!! I have missed you so much! We aren't just online friends. You are one of the first blogging friends I met in person!! AND your dear husband and that brilliant grandson, too! Well, you know that I lost my husband in February 2021 to covid. I'm doing okay but sure miss my best friend and sweetheart. I'm glad you still have yours after such a big scare! Congrats to Grandson on his successes!! Losing Disco was heartbreaking. I understand completely. Your apartment complex looks beautiful! Love you, dear friend!! xo

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Love your opening quote. That is such wonderful news about your grandson. I'm so happy for him and I am happy to hear that he is still with the same girl. I understand where your daughter is coming from. Being a teacher is hard work. I know I want another dog but my health just isn't good enough right now. I know you miss Disco. Honestly I can't imagine packing up and moving but it is definitely time for us. I'm glad that you did it. Sounds like a good location. What a blessing on being cancer free for 8 years. ((Hugs)) Glad you are going to church too. I'm a Trump supporter too and I hate the mess our country is in today since he left office. It's so sad what Covid did to our country and we know it was set up to be released from China so Trump would be voted out of office. Such an evil thing to do. That is so said about Charlie. Praying for him. So glad you took that trip to Hawaii. I've never been. Love the photos. Wow, how awesome to have the cruise and a lobster dinner. Thank you for sharing all that has been going on in your life. WELCOME BACK!!

Granny Annie said...

Wow! Thank you for all the updates and good news as well as concerning news. I have wondered where you were. Yes, I am a Methodist also and we are supposed to be the church of open hands, hearts and doors but are fighting like cats. I just want us to ALL stay in an inclusive and tolerant family.

Theresa said...

WOW, you have had a lot going on. My life has been busy, both good and bad.
So thankful your Son is cancer free! Hawaii is one of my FAVES! We went years ago and I would love to go back. Enjoy your weekend dear friend, HUGS!

Lee said...

Oh! My Goodness, Sandie! You've had so much to deal with through the past couple of years. I admire your fortitude.

It's so good to "see" you. Please take good care...and wrap those loving arms of yours around the ones you love. My very best wishes to you and to your family.

Lowcarb team member said...

Thank you so much for this catch-up post.
You have had a lot to deal with.

Sending lots of good wishes.

All the best Jan

photowannabe said...

I just finished reading this first post...You definitely have had a huge 2 years...But I am so grateful there are miracles in your life.
Sorrow and joy mixed together.
Just to let you know, I'm with you in your opinions and "leanings".
I promise no politics on my public forums.
It sounds like that apartment is the perfect answer for you and your Hubby... and congratulations on your Grandsons job..3 year Masters..wowzers.
(((hugs)))
Sue

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Wow my friend. I decided to look at your blog and see if you had updated. So great to see you are doing so well after a few years of such stress. I often think about the fun we all had as the 'Atlanta Blogger' group. I am pretty much a stay at home person now. My Mom just turned 92 and lives on the other side of my duplex. She is doing great and we sorta take care of each other. My health has taken a big turn in the last couple of years. I had Covid last Dec and now have Long Covid symptoms. I am so blessed to see my daughter Sara and my Grands frequently so moving to Athens was the right thing for me for sure. My daughter Ashleigh lives in Canada now, so far away. I don't blog but I do have a YouTube channel where I share crafts and my life. It's called Linda's Creative Life. Take care Sandy!

Starry Dawn said...

My dearest friend,

You begin your post with these phrases: "I can't believe it has been two years and yet sometimes it feels like a decade.

I miss blogging and I have tried to keep up. I needed a break because it was taking so much of my time and in that period of my life, I didn't have that much time to devote to it.

I want to blog without rules and pressure. I invite you to do the same with me. What has happened in the last two years?"
WOW!! Needless to say, I'm impressed about what has happened during those couple of years in your life, some good, some bad. I'm speechless!
It hurts me the bad things that happened to you, to Disco and your family.
What else I could say? If you like to live in an apartment, it's fine.
I would rather prefer to live in a house. That's an option, if you earn the money to buy a house. It hurts me badly to write about the bad things, like illness in your family, the lost of Disco, your precious dog. Anyway, I'm glad your handsome grandson acquired his Double Majors in Marketing & Finance, plus he keeps loving the same girl. I'm sure you are overloaded with happiness about his achievements. I guess you don't brag, for it's real. I'M SO GLAD YOU ARE BACK BLOGGING, MY FRIEND!! Forever Blessings.

Abby said...

Came here to get caught up. So glad you're blogging again - so many miracles for your family!
Congratulations for Grandson's graduation and job!
So sorry to read about Disco. You all gave him a wonderful life.