What's Up?

Looks like I've gone missing from my blog again!  Oops!  Life continues to be crazy busy.

But, it's all good.  Here's what's up...

My daughter is still home for winter break.  That means I make the most of our time together before she heads back to school for a very full semester.  We've been doing some of the normal fun stuff we like to do together of watching chick flicks, crafting, working out together, cooking, etc. She also had a practice harp recital to get ready for her upcoming junior harp recital at the university. She hopes to have at least one more practice recital in the next week or so. The first one was at our local gluten free bakery/coffee shop.  Here's a picture I posted on Instagram from that day...

We've been on the road a lot lately to take care of lots of errands, going to harp lessons and yesterday we went over to the condo that she rents near the university with another girl and got her room all put back together.  Painting and repair work was done over the past few weeks and we had everything moved around and out of their way.  The trip for harp lessons and school stuff is over an hour each way and we've been going at least once a week.  It usually takes up the entire day.

Last week, we had the privilege and honor to see off a Marine friend of my daughter as he left on deployment.  She spent some time with him the evening before and found out their departure time was changed to 4:00 a.m. the next morning.  I think he was surprised that she wanted to go even though it was so early.  He's a sweet guy and how could we not show our support?!  We were the only ones there to see him off as his family is on the opposite side of the country.
I'm happy we were able to do that.

One of the things on our to-do list was to do a photo shoot so my daughter could have some new pictures with her harp to use for fliers for the upcoming recital.  We found the perfect spot to shoot on one of our recent visits to the post office.  It was a brick wall on the outside of the building.  Sunday was perfect because the town it's in is practically closed down on Sundays.  We weren't sure how it would work and planned several other locations, just in case.  But, this worked out great and the brick background turned out to be perfect for the flier.Here are some of the photos I took...   

This next one is turning out to be everyone's favorite of the three fliers she made up.
The brick wall is a perfect canvas to add words for the flier.  We're so happy this worked
out so well and is crossed off the list.  Now for printing, final touches on the gown,
figuring out the reception food, etc.

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you know that my husband's 94 year old grandpa has had some extreme health challenges lately.  We thought he wasn't going to make it about a month ago.  Then, he pulled through and was put into a convalescent hospital.  He was still with it but barely drinking anything and refusing to eat.  He's skin and bones but still hanging in there.  He's now been moved to a care facility closer to where most of us live.  He's starting to eat a little.  Grandma found a new home closer to all of us and has her home up for sale.  My daughter and I went over last week and helped with packing.  She's moving this week.  My mother-in-law must be SO exhausted after the past two months.  We're celebrating grandpa's 94th birthday this Thursday. 

Hubby is having to do a lot of travel for his job lately.  Another down-sizing occurred recently and they piled him with SO much more work, not any more pay, and TONS of stress.  Poor guy!  I support him as best I can and hope things get better.  I hear similar stories from others about jobs these days.  Seems so crazy and unfair to keep getting rid of people and loading the jobs of many on one person.  There are only so many hours in a day and only so much one person can do.  Sheesh!  Luckily, he has a passion for riding bikes that helps him relieve stress and stay fit.  We got him a brand new road bike a few weeks ago.  I think it gave him a little boost.  :-)

I'm trying to get regular with working out and trying to bump it up from occasional tough hikes or bike rides and walks to running regularly.  I'm working on some goals.  My first one?...Work out five days this week and I'm going to buy myself a new piece of workout clothing.  I've already got my eye on something.  I just couldn't justify getting it until I was actually working out!  Plus, I'm thinking that short goals in the beginning might get me going enough to make longer goals and stick with it better.  Here's hoping!

Well, that's it for now.  I need to get back to that crazy to-do list!  Have a wonderful day!  :-)