Monday Dog Blog: Keeping It Real

Post-Thanksgiving Crash Out

These days there are lots of photos of me dressed in my new favorite clothes, wearing my new boots, my make-up and hair done and a big smile on my face.

Tovah Settles In For Snuggles

I'm close friends with lots of other chronically ill folks, and we all remind each other that it's important to 'keep it real'. 

These Guys Are Ready To Comfort Mommy

This is me crashed out the day after Thanksgiving.

Thankfully, I had nowhere to be. And I let myself let go of getting our holiday card done. The hardest part of these days is being gentle on myself, letting myself rest and not beating myself up for not being 'productive.'

So, here I am 'Keeping it Real'.

Gershwin Needed a Nap Anyways...

I'm never really sure what is going to lead to a setback and what isn't, what's overdoing and what's not. I can't predict. Sometimes I don't feel well during an event. Sometimes I feel fine during it. And that's not necessarily a predictor of how I am going to feel later that day, the next day or the next few days.

It doesn't change the decisions I make about the activities I choose to do. It's just part of the reality of this illness. 

Snuggling After PT

But this isn't a sad post. It's just a post that says: while my health is improving, I'm still sick. And when I need to rest, I have two puppies who can't wait to snuggle and snuggle and snuggle. All. Day. Long. 

They are the best medicine.

Happy Monday!

Blessings,

Emily

Thanksgiving With Mom

Waiting For The Turkey

Because I have a busy weekend planned--with Thanksgiving Day at Dad and Abbie's and a party on Sunday, Mom and I decided to keep Thanksgiving as a quiet holiday just the two of us.

We just wanted some quiet time together to eat a Thanksgiving meal and enjoy a little TV with the puppies.

We love having people over, but we also like time just to be together.

Queen of the Kitchen

While I spent the whole day resting, Mom cooked up a lovely meal.

Ready For The Oven

We had roasted butternut squash and spinach, all from local farmers.

Gluten-Free Stuffing

We tested out some gluten-free stuffing.

Butternut Squash and Spinach

And where did all of that spinach go?!

Beautiful!

We had a local free-range turkey breast. With gravy, or course. And cranberry relish.

And some pumpkin bars for dessert.

We even let Tovah Rose and Gershwin have a bite of turkey (which they were CRAZY about).

Our Meal

It was perfect. 

In the evening we settled in to watch a Kristin Chenoweth special on PBS.

Before the season gets busier and busier with Hanukkah parties, gift giving, and other holiday festivities, this was just the way we wanted to spend the day.

We hope your Thanksgiving was a blessed one.

Blessings,

Emily

Thanksgiving at D and A's

Monica, Bill, Me, Tovah Rose, Jon, Meredith, Riley,
Reese, Abbie and Dad

As has become Thanksgiving tradition now, I joined D and A at their house for Turkey Day.

The Mountains Surrounding D and A's

It was still a winter wonderland out where they live.

Reese Reads!

Reese, who is only in kindergarden can read books all by himself. And I mean, like, chapter books. Like the Magic Treehouse!

Dad and Riley

Dad likes to play with the boys. He's a big kid at heart and fits right in. Here he is hanging out with Riley.

Riley and Reese

A moment with the brothers together. Reese is too absorbed in his book to take time for a silly photograph from Aunt Emily.

Bill and Monica Strike a Pose

A great pic of my stepsister, Monica, and her husband, Bill.

Sisters and Twinkies

Meredith and Monica claim that they did not plan to dress as twinkles today, but aren't they cute together? 

Dad, Tovah Rose, and Me

Daddy and Daughter (and Tovah Rose too).

Francine and Abbie

Abbie with her longtime friend, Francine, who joins us every year for Thanksgiving.

The View

Abbie asked us each to go around the table and say what we were thankful for this year. She spoke first, saying that she was so happy to have all of her family together and healthy...and healthier. :) The light in her eyes when she looked at me as she said 'healthier' melted my heart. 

Gorgeous!

It was wonderful to be able to participate in the holiday fully--easily sitting at the dinner table, helping to clear the dishes, reading a book to Riley, carrying him to the dinner table, taking photos, chatting with Meredith and Monica, and interacting with the boys. And did you notice who is standing in the family photo?! Tovah Rose joined us this year, since Mr. G had gotten to go last year. 

She came home just as pooped out from all of the activity as I did! :) According to Mom, Gershwin wandered around the house while we were gone acting lost and confused. My poor little guy.

No Complaints From Me About The Snow!

Mom and I topped off the day with a light dinner of soup and salad, and settled in for the first half of Forrest Gump, which I have somehow managed not to see since it was in the theaters 20 years ago!

Thank you, Abbie, for the huge spread and warm loving embrace of all of us.

Blessings,

Emily

Thanksgiving Blessings To You...

Linden Tree Trunk with Snow

Today is Thanksgiving.

Weeping Cherry

For many this is a day filled with friends, family and love. 

Such a Photogenic Tree!

For others, this day is hard for many reasons.

My wise and prayerful friend Marla posted the following on Facebook:

The circle of life is often hard and bittersweet, especially during holidays when life doesn't look like a Hallmark card or weekend movie special. Prayers for hope and human kindness going out to any and all of those struggling today.

A Tree With Character

On Wednesday, we found ourselves blanketed in a beautiful snowfall.

Dogwood Planted for My 15 Year Anniversary

How peaceful. How grounding. How beautiful.

Our HUGE Maple Tree

How perfect.

Our Maple Tree

I rejoiced in being able to go outside, trek around in the four inches of snow with my camera and take a bunch of photos of this winter wonderland. A year ago, I would have ended such an outing exhausted and breathless.

Maple Tree

I wanted to share these photos because they made me feel a sense of peace and calm as the Thanksgiving holiday approached. Trees: they always make me feel more calm and grounded.

Three Trees: 40 Year Old Weeping Cherry, 40 Year Old Maple, and Our New
Weeping Cherry in Front of Our HOME.

However you are feeling this Thanksgiving Day--whether it is a joyful one or a difficult one--may you find precious moments of peace. 

Blessings,

Emily

Introducing Miss Adele Chaya!

May 9, 2014
Two Weeks Old

By now, most of you have met my friend Marjie via my blog. In April, she and her husband adopted a baby girl, Adele Chaya, but because of the adoption agency's rules, they could not post, email or text any photos of Adele until the adoption was finalized in the court. 

Well, that happened TODAY!

So, I can now share one of the joys of the past six months that I've had to keep a very big secret: visiting, snuggling, and feeding Miss Adele at Marjie's house.

I've been trying to visit at least once a month so that Adele will know who I am and so that I can really see her grow. 

It's been really special to me to be a part of the adoption process with Marjie and to be a part of this experience, as I've always wanted to adopt a baby. 

Marjie has been able to realize her dream of motherhood in spite of her health challenges, and that makes it even more special.

May 28, 2014
One Month Old

I had really, really, really hoped to attend the adoption formalization today at the courthouse, but I knew that if I got up that early in the morning, I would be in debt the rest of Thanksgiving week energy-wise. It broke my heart to miss the ceremony.

Marjie describes Adele's cheeks as fluffy and delicious. And they are.

June 20, 2014
Almost Two Months Old!

And she is the curliest, bubbliest, chubby baby too.

It is surreal to go back through my photos of Miss Adele and see how much she has grown in the past six months.

July 19, 2014
Almost Three Months Old!

August 13, 2014
Three and a Half Months Old

I've been getting so much joy out of my visits with this little one, as I am sure you can tell from the pics.

Not Quite Sure of the Date!

So, I'll just let you enjoy the pics of Adele and me. 

September 28, 2014
Five Months Old

Look at My New Tricks Emily!
I Love This Age!

Polka-Dots and Leggings Just Like Mommy
October 31, 2014
And Six Months Old!

November 25, 2014
Seven Months Old 

Here are a couple from today that Marjie posted on FB of Adele's big day! It's official now. It's forever now. Adele Chaya is Marjie and Sean's baby girl for always.

Ready For Her Big Day (in Polka Dots, of Course!)

Couldn't think of a better Thanksgiving gift than this little sweet potato pie!

Can't wait for my next visit Miss Fluffy, Delicious, Curly, Bubbly Little Girl!

Blessings,

Emily