Today’s one of those days when it feels like my world has stopped as I know it and I want to rewind things and make them go away.

You remember that my dad was in the hospital about six weeks ago for about a month. Well, he had a follow-up appointment with his doctor today and it wasn’t what I was expecting to hear. The numbers (all those things the doctors read from bloodwork) weren’t good and the doctor suspected that his kidney had, in fact, failed during that last ordeal but was hoping there was a blockage. Well, the ultrasound confirmed that my dad has lost his kidney. So, of the three that his body now has (the two God gave him and the one some generous family gave him) all have stopped working.

He’s going next week for an angiogram to determine the strength of his heart and to start dialysis. If that is good then they will put him on the list for another transplant. My mom and both sisters have both decided they will go through testing to see if they are matches to donate a kidney to him. I’m doing some research about doing the same. But, for now, I’m just a bundle of confusion and worry and stress and not knowing what to do.

So, that’s my life. Can I get off now?

Till later…

So, we left for church this morning and it was cold but sunny out. Got out of church and it was coming down. Here’s what it looks like from the driveway looking northeast towards Montana. In case you’re wondering, the reason it looks so “foggy” is because it’s still coming down. It’s about 1:30 in the afternoon and it’s 29 out and only supposed to get colder as the week goes by. Winter’s here.

Here’s my niece trying to make her first snowball. Last year she absolutely HATED the snow. We couldn’t get her to come inside this year.

And, here’s one of her first tastes of snow. “It’s like ice” is what she said. She was determined to eat it all gone. LOL

Till later…

So, since I got back from California I’ve been swamped with work and worrying about my dad and just trying to stay busy. Well, one of the cool things about living with my brother and sister-in-law is that I get to spend time with my niece….lots of time. Well, this evening she came in my office AGAIN wanting to play and I had to tell her I was working. Then I looked at her sad face and realized: “no I don’t!” So, I told her that I had to finish some stuff but that after dinner she and I would have a special Auntie night. So we did.

We finished up with dinner, I did the dishes, then we left her mommy and daddy upstairs and headed down. We read about eight (or more) stories, I painted her toenails, we put on yummy lotion, and talked to TT (one of my sisters “Tia Teri” aka TT) on the phone. Then we got jammas (pajamas) on. We picked out a girly Strawberry Shortcake gown that she’s never worn before. We read more story, prayed and she went to bed. (I did have to put some pajama pants on for the night since it’s been pretty cold and she doesn’t like sleeping under the covers.)

Fun night…I’ll miss that when I move. But, I’ve already said I’m having regular Special Auntie Nights in my new place where she’ll spend the night. Can’t wait.

Till later…

So, as I was packing up to leave the coffee place I got a call from my SIL that the internet was back up. Whew. That was a relief.

Saturday my brother, SIL, niece and I went to look at the house I kind of liked when I went with my realtor. They were having an open house and had dropped the price. So, we looked. The house has not been taken completely off my list of possibilities but it’s moved down quite a bit. So, it’s back to the beginning. We’ll go look again this week, hopefully this week will provide more promising houses.

It’s frustrating. I’m not the most patient person but I still planned on the house hunt taking about a month to six weeks. But, here I am already impatient as all get out. It’s only the start of week two. But, I keep reminding myself I’m right on schedule.

So, now for my WOW. A while ago I registered to take the test to become a Certified Virtual Assistant. The testing process was more difficult than I had anticipated but I got through it. Saturday night I got the e-mai that I PASSED! I’m so excited! This is one thing I wanted to do to make me stand out to potential new clients. It’s awesome to have tried and succeeded in this. So, WOOHOO for me!

Till later…

Bear with me, the picture is bad. But, I caught the bridal bouquet at the wedding I went to this weekend. So, we’ll see how true they really are. LOL

Anyway, I had a ton of fun this weekend. Spent some time with great friends, got to meet new friends, and had fun seeing Seattle. It was my first trip to Seattle — I’ve been in the airport a few times but never actually visited.

Friday we drove around then got ready for the bachelorette party downtown. A limo picked us up and drove us to Seattle to the Can Can kitchen and cabaret in Pike Place Market. I got to see the Space Needle and other downtown stuff. Unfortunately, most of that was from the back of the limo and was hard to see…so I kindly stuck my head up front to get a better view. I’m loads of fun when I go out!!! Just ask any of my friends — old or new. LOL

Saturday I hung out at Tara’s and helped her daughter get ready to meet her “new grandparents”. We had a great BBQ. I even got to shuck corn in a goat pen. Seriously, I SHUCKED CORN IN A GOAT PEN. LOL I even became lovely friends with the four goats in said pen. Now, the chickens…sorry, didn’t make great friends with them I’m sorry to say.

Sunday was the wedding and it was absolutely beautiful. Loads of fun. I came home on Monday and now it’s back to work. <> But, such is life, right.

So, wish me luck on my groom hunt LOL (totally just kidding…but it’s a fun thought).

Till later…

So, I met with the mortgage broker today…I’m going on a house hunt! I talked briefly with my realtor this weekend. He’ll be in town this week so we’ll talk more about my/our strategy and go from there. The market is PRIME for me to buy right now. This are going to be GREAT. I feel so comfortable about this. I’m so excited.

Till later…