Family Visit

I've had a family emergency that has taken a lot

 of my time these past two weeks...

much of this week was spent visiting with family

(my youngest sister and her husband) from Wyoming were here...

I hadn't seen them in a couple of years

so it was wonderful to spent a few days with them...

but I really did get backed up with my work.

They've always had exotic pets...my brother in law

LOVES his Raccoons...and their latest 'baby' is so darned cute.

Cora is a blond raccoon and about 7 months old now...

and she IS spoiled.

My sister says she is like having two or three

toddlers running around the house getting into everything.

I rode with them on a trip to visit our last living uncle

who is quite ill...

and Cora decided she wanted to 'meet' the new person on the ride.

So she pulled my hair.

It didn't hurt...but it did startle me.

She is a cutie though!!

I Have a Large Family

I have a large family...

and..for the most part...

I'm very happy that I do.

Sometimes though...it can be difficult

when something happens that kind of 

turns my normal routine

upside down.

I recently had to travel across state because of a family emergency...
concerning two of my grandchildren.
My daughters and I had to drive most of the night,
we picked up the girls and then had to turn around
and drive back.
I don't know how I managed it...but I drove
the last leg of the trip
with NO Sleep
and didn't doze off even once.

Now.. 'suddenly' all six of my children

are now living within minutes from me.
My oldest child (daddy of the girls) had to have
emergency surgery...
but he will be moving, with the girls, in with my daughter
until he is better...
and set up house here in town.

It's been a while since all of my children lived within minutes
but I think it is all for the best...
so I am happy.

It's put me way behind with my shops...but 'family' has always
come first with me...so hopefully the good Lord
will give us all a helping hand
and maybe give me the energy I need to get all caught up
without upsetting any of my collectors..
as I do try to make sure everyone is happy.

My "Me" Day

It's Saturday...my 'me' day.

Yes...I have a 'ton' of work that really

needs to be done..

but

I also have a need to spend quality time with myself.

I actually get way more done during the week 

when I take a little time to spend with myself

on Saturday.

Every other Sunday is 'family day'.

Five of my six children..and their families

come over and we 'do' dinner.

This started with their dad.

He was a 'chef' by trade...and so did most of the

cooking.

His favorite thing though, was cooking for the family.

So as the kids grew up and moved out on their own..

well (most of them anyway)

he started with Sunday Brunch

which morphed into Sunday Dinner..

and it was the one day of the week

we all got together.

In the four years that he has been gone, I've had

to take the Every Sunday and turn it

into every other Sunday.

It's a little easier for me...as much as I love

my family...sometimes my house just seems a little

too small for 15 people.

But...my 'me' day is almost over...so

I'd best be trying to get the very most out of what is left.