When
we were kids we would make frequent trips to visit my Grandparents.
My paternal Grandparents had moved to the Grand Lake area before I
was born, leaving my Father’s hometown of Neodesha, Kansas, and we
called these trips to the lake. I loved that land, the house, the
docks, the cabin, and the water. I still miss it.
My maternal
Grandparents have lived in the same house since the 1950’s. My Mama
was raised in that house and when we would jump in the car to make
the 2 hour drive I would hear her say that she was ‘Going Home’.
Commenting on Home can be difficult for me, when I go home
from work each day I pull into a slightly illegal driveway and climb
stairs to a 3rd floor apartment. I have a family in New Jersey, I have my husband’s
family too, but it’s still not 100% home. My Mama has lived in
Oklahoma for more than 30 years and I don’t think it’s 100% home
for her either.
I have had the privilege of traveling to the
Blue Ridge Mountains, near the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania,
with my Grandma many times. I’ve held her hand has she walked the
road that leads to the house where she was born and I’ve heard her
say that the old house is her home. My Grandma Lou has lived in
Kansas for well over 60 years and the house that she hasn’t stepped
foot in since the 1930’s still feels like home to her.
The
old saying goes, Home is where the heart is, and I believe this to be
true. Don’t we all leave little pieces of our heart everywhere we
go? Part of Home for me is on the residential street in East Tulsa, my parents house in Verdigris, the Condo on Boston, and
our apartment in Jersey City.
I guess all of these places are home, in one way or another.
1. I confess that I called out sick today and it was the best decision, ever. I had a migraine that started in late yesterday afternoon and just didn't let up. Good news is that the headache is officially gone, but my back and neck are very sore. Blah. 2. I confess
that my heart is not in New Jersey right now, not at all. My sweet
precious Grandmother is in Wichita, KS for health problems. We don't
have much news just yet, heart attack, stroke, or something else, we
aren't sure. No matter what is going on I know she's a tough lady that
has fought hard for all of her 85 years
on this earth. She's loved more than words by many and we are all
praying that she will recover from this too. Grandma Lou, we aren't all
there with you physically, but you know we are there in spirit.
we can both roll our tongues, bet you didn't know that!
3. I confess that I am also praying for my family and friends in Oklahoma again tonight. Springtime in Tornado Alley is not for the faint of heart and I think that the only thing worse than being there is being 1,300 miles away, helpless. Be careful everyone!
4. I confess that my running hasn't taken priority recently, I am a little behind in my schedule and not too happy with myself. I'm hoping to turn that around this weekend and get back on track soon!
5. I confess that I laugh a little on the inside when I hear complaints about the 90 degree weather we have been having here the past few days. This ain't nothin' y'all...I practically need a jacket! Not really, but it's just not quite as unbearable as some make it seem.
6. I confess that I don't know what I would do without my husband and my Sophie Jean. My little family is not perfect, but quite amazing. We have been through a lot in the past 1 1/2 years, it's made us stronger and our future is looking bright!
7. I confess that we have only hung up about half of our pictures, art work, etc. We move in last August. Yep.
We loaded up fairly early in the morning to make the 2ish hour drive from Verdigris, OK to Fredonia, KS ... not exactly the two biggest cities in the world, but two of my favorites.
I got to ride shotgun in the Caddy through Claremore, Oolagah, Nowata, and Coffeyville. Emma and Mom made themselves comfortable in the back and I were able to nap a little bit. We passed my Dad's hometown of Neodesha and made our way into my Mama's hometown of Fredonia, God Bless Southeast Kansas.
I hadn't seen their precious faces since I left there in late December and I missed them so much! Our visit began with lots of hugs and kisses.
Dad and I showed off our Half Marathon medals and pictures, they questioned why anyone would want to run that many miles and for that long...but I think they were proud.
Grandma had to run some errands, so the ladies loaded up in the Caddy (I got to drive!) and headed to the local bank. Since my Grandma doesn't have an ATM card she wrote a check to 'Cash' and I put it in the tray. The teller looked a bit confused, I rolled down the window so she could say hi and we were on our way. No ID required!
The next stop was ALCO and the Grocery Store. I swear that my Grandma knows everyone in this small town! Our last stop was the Tri-Mee for some Beef Burgers, very slow, but very delicious!
While we were out the boys opted to make a trip to pick some wild mushrooms. When they got back we fried them up! YUM!
Raw Mushrooms
Fried Mushrooms!
We played some games, played with Emma, and just talked. Oh and we took some awesome pictures!
We can both roll our tongues!
I love my Grandma
We couldn't stop laughing!
Finally got an OK picture
Grandparents and Parents
Grandparents and ME!
Aunt Denny in her work scrubs :)
My Grandma is slightly crazy!
The visit wasn't nearly long enough, but I don't think any visit would ever be long enough. After a lot of tears and more hugs, we made the drive back to Oklahoma and my heart was heavy. A part of me will always be in that house, with those two amazingly crazy people.
When we got back to Oklahoma we met brother at the house and headed to Taco Bueno, it's not classy, but when you live so far from one you have to get some while you can!
I can't sleep. Why? About a thousand different reasons.
Quick Recap of the past month or so -
Barley made it through the end of the year at work, which was December 21st. Made a wonderful trip to Oklahoma on the 23rd.
Drove to Kansas on the 24th, enjoyed Christmas with my beautiful and wildly cray Fam.
Drove back to Oklahoma on the 26th.
Family Christmas on the 27th. Caught up with a couple of old friends on the 28th.
Caught up with more friends (Bridesmaids!) on the 29th.
Relaxed on the 30th.
Back to Jersey on the 31st.
'Firstmas' (Christmas on the 1st!) on ... duh!
Work...darn you January 2nd!
I didn't take too many pictures over the trip and I'm not sad about it. I really didn't look at my phone too often, especially while with my family. That might be because the reception is terrible in the SEK (Southeast Kansas), but I'm really happy about that. I will treasure the time spent.
It was far too short, it went by far too quickly.
While I'm not the most consistent blogger in the world, the reason for the latest lapse is the above mentioned trip and my health.
I went for my annual doctors appointment, regular check up, blood work, and the oh so lovely lady exam. Girls, we have it good don't we?! Super fun times. I had a few issues, don't we all? I didn't believe that anything major was going on, but then I received a call from my doctor. She stated that I needed to pick up this prescription...
Hey, we need to scan your brain...WHAT?! Yeah, kinda threw me for a loop.
Per the results of my blood test they believed that the reason for my less than perfect results were because of a tumor on my pituitary gland. I called for an appointment and took the only one they had before our December 21st departure, one hour after my call. This meant that I had to go all by myself. MRI tables are cold and lonesome.
The radiologist didn't scream in shock, so I figured that I didn't have something horribly wrong. Results were promised to me in 3 to 5 business days and this was one of the few reasons I even looked at my phone on our trip. Contrary to what my doctor said, she wasn't in the office until January 2nd. After some mild harassment she called with news...and this is where the Kindergarten Cop comes into play...
Yep! It's not a tumor! WHOOP! Thank the Lord and Hallelujah!
Do I know what the problem is yet? Not a clue. I have an appointment with a specialist on January 10th.
If you have a chance and are the praying kind, I'd appreciate a quick one :) Thanks Y'all!
