A few good things...
Today is my dad's birthday! He's 72 todayand, to me, this is his best and most important birthday ever! Why? Because today, he's cancer-free after a very rough year of throat cancer and he has united with his me, his daughter and with my family. My parents divorced when I was twelve and were were never very close after that. This past year, he's been through so much and we've united and become very close. This morning, I was thinking about my trip to visit him last March. I went to see him so that we could say "goodbye". And today, we talk on the phone most every day. I'm going to visit him next week with Liza and we can hardly wait!
I adore my dad. Although he was absent most of my life, I've always loved him and never let his choices get in the way of that. I'm just thankful that today, he is a very important part of my life and we're getting to know each other all over again!! My favorite quote... life doesn't have to be perfect to be perfectly wonderful... it applies to our relationship. We have a wonderful relationship and it reminds me daily that we can love unconditionally, we can learn and grow regardless of our age, that forgiveness is one of our most important things that we will ever do in life and that it's never too old to heal any relationship! Happy Birthday, Dad! I love you! See you next week!!
(By the way, I've posted this photo before but that's Dad and me on my first birthday, so he'd have been twenty years old. Handsome devil, isn't he!?)
This morning, OH MY HECK! What a nightmare! Literally! I couldn't sleep last night for anything! Doug had mentioned, as he was getting ready for bed, that his alarm clock is getting finicky. (It's 26 years old and when I bought him a iPod dock/alarm clock for his birthday a few years ago, he gave it to me and told me that he really loves his old one.) Anyway, this morning, his alarm woke us both up 45 minutes late, leaving him nine minutesto be at work. Not cool! He literally leaped out of the bed, into his pants and out the door, grabbing his lunch and a kiss from me in passing. As he pulled away, I noticed that the sprinkler was misbehaving, so I went outside in my jammies to fix the problem. Ten minutes later, I was FREEZING COLD and SOAKING WET, but the issue was resolved! Wide awake, and with new dry jammies on, getting back to sleep took forever. Almost two hours later, the strangest nightmare woke me in panic, leaving Gracie and Quayd eight minutes to make the bus. We said a prayer and I literally tossed them a little "to-go" breakfast on their way out the door... oatmeal cookies, string cheese and a homemade roll. (They thought that was pretty cool!) I was still exhausted and had an hour before ZJ had to be up, so I went back to sleep for "a few minutes". I never do that! Yep, you guessed it. I woke up twelve minutes before ZJ was supposed to leave, so she got a repeat of her siblings' crazy breakfast on her way out the door. It was just one of those mornings! Surprisingly, I've not been tired at all today! Doug's new schedule is killing me! But...everyone made it to their destinations on time and all was good. Later in the morning, I was able to laugh at the whole mess!
Another nummy sounding crockpot idea, today, from Kaye... One of my favorite things at Olive Garden! Thanks, Kaye!
Zuppa Toscana
1 lb. Italian sausage
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
1 chopped onion
3 -4 large russet potatoes, cubed
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup whipping cream
fresh kale
In a medium skillet, crumble and brown sausage. Drain well and add it to the crockpot. Add the broth, water, onion, potatoes, and garlic, stirring to combine. Cook on high for 3-4 hours. Just before serving, stir in whipping cream and some chopped kale. Serve with crusty French bread or croutons on top. Enjoy! (Doesn't this one make you just want to turn on the furnace and make it today?)
Today's quote came from my friend, June. I'd never heard this before but wow! It's been on my mind all day and really is a humbling thought. I had to share! Life is good!
What a rough morning you had! Your father looked so young (and so handsome!)on this picture and what a cute baby!
Posted by: Nicole | Thursday, September 08, 2011 at 01:49 PM
You look like the grand girls! Sooooo cute. Love!
Posted by: Gayle | Thursday, September 08, 2011 at 08:08 AM
Great quote! I would like to put that on my Facebook status. I hate when I have one of those mornings. What you experienced is a living nightmare! Ack! Can't wait to try that crockpot recipe. Sounds yummy! I wish your dad a "Happy Birthday!".
Posted by: Pamela K. | Thursday, September 08, 2011 at 04:31 AM