What a Week!

Well, I am back from North Carolina!

The trip was exhausting but so much fun!

Before I left, my midwife prescribed me Zofran for my morning sickness and it seemed to work. The only drawback was my insurance would only approve 12 pills and my midwife wanted me to take 2 a day. So I have had to take them very carefully so they will last me the rest of the month.

Tate's EEG went REALLY well! We were so happy to hear those results! His neurologist is now going to wean him off of his seizure meds and by late April, he should be off of them completely! His chances of having seizures in the future are very low risk. Thank you God!

After his appointment, Moma Jo and me treated Tate to a doughnut at one of the original Krisy Kremes in High Point, NC. The diner is amazing. It still has the same decor as it did in the 1950's.

Moma Jo & Tate eating at Krispy Kreme

My Aunt Beverly and dear cousin Grady treated me to a delicious dinner on Friday night. We drove to Boone, NC to eat at our favorite restaurant, Casa Rustica. If you are ever in the Boone area, this restaurant is a MUST! It was a two hour drive but so worth it. The food is all hand prepared including the bread and salad dressings. My favorite salad dressing is the Peppercorn Parmesan. MMMMMMM.

My Aunt Beverly & her son Grady at Casa Rustica. Well worth the 2 hour drive!

On Saturday, my sister Raini and I hit a local flea market in Winston Salem called "Lost in Time" or as Raini calls it, Lost in the Flea Market. We were there for hours! Here are some of the beautiful finds. We saw SOOOOOOO many pretty things:




We had so much fun. I love being with Raini. As we get older, we get closer and to have that kind of relationship is just a joy. I miss her so much so when I do get to spend time with her, we make a day out of it!

We also drove over to the machine shop in Kernersville where the History channel filmed Madhouse. It comes on Sunday nights at 11pm and it is so much fun watching a reality show filmed in my hometown of Kvegas!

S&R Motors, home of Junior Miller racing Kernersville, NC

Tate enjoyed spending his time with my step dad hunting in Papa Friedle's backyard. Jonathan enjoyed time with his friends any being able to hang out with my little brother Andrew, and I enjoyed being at my moms house surrounded by family who I love and miss so much.

It was hard to leave but it is so nice to know that you can return home!


It was weird seeing Papa's grave. The ground was very wet from all of the recent snow. The trees were almost completely bare. The grass has filled in and it is not as easy to make out the outline of where they dug. I didn't stay as long as I normally do. I just told him how much I miss him and thank God this was just his temporary home.

The last part of this song is Papa.

Packing

I'm packing for our trip home to NC and although this is the 4th trip we have made since moving to Richmond in August, my mind still cannot grasp that I won't be seeing Papa when I get there.

It hits me out of the blue. Like this morning. I am packing clothes and I come across something that triggers bittersweet memories of the greatest man I have ever loved. And it hits me hard that AGAIN I will not see him this trip home.

I will make the painful journey to his grave. I will sit there alone and cry and smooth out his flowers. I will just sit and think about him.

The day Papa died, I asked my mom if I could have his hospital gown. Morbid right? But I wanted it. I wanted to have it. I don't know why. She washed it for me but I haven't had the courage to ask her for it yet. I want something of his to hold onto to. Something I can cry into. Am I crazy?

I love going home. I miss my family more than I ever thought I could but it is so painfully bittersweet to know that the one I loved most is not waiting on me by his door. He isn't going to be calling me ten times to see how far I have made it. He won't be sitting in his chair by the door with the curtains pulled back so he can see us the second we pull into his driveway. It stings to confront this reality.

The last few times home I go to Mama Jo's house and when no one is looking I bury my face into his chair cushion and I breathe in deeply. I smell him. And it is so comforting to have that scent. I dread the day I walk in and his scent is gone.

The last night before he was admitted to the hospital, I saw him last in that chair. He looked at me with his crystal blue eyes. I told him he was so handsome. We told each other goodbye. I kissed him and walked out of his home with the heaviest heart knowing the end was near but I had no idea it would be his last night at home and that in 5 days he would be gone forever. God, I miss him so much. I just miss him so much.

Dear Papa,
Its been 6 months. 6 months without you. Some days it is harder than ever before.
I miss my best friend. You visit me in my dreams and it is so wonderful when that happens. Help me get through this sadness. Its still so raw. I just want to hug you and make you laugh. I want to joke with you about how pathetic UNC is playing. I miss you. Everything about you. I never could have dreamed it would be this hard.
Love, #1

Heading Home to NC for a few Days!

You can never go home again,
but the truth is you can never leave home,
so it's all right.
~Maya Angelou

We are heading home to NC for several days. Tate has some neurological tests needed. He hasn't had a seizure since October of 2007 (Thank you God). I am hoping/praying that he will be able to come down off of some meds. We will find out on Friday after his EEG.

I went to the Dr this morning and heard a glorious heartbeat from the Bean. It was around 160 bpm. My midwife also prescribed me some anti nausea medication. The only issue she was worried about was that I was pretty dehydrated. I have to go back in 2 weeks to make sure I am hydrated or I may have to be admitted for IV fluids and I don't want that!

My sister and I have lots of thrift store shopping planned so the anti nauseous pills will come in handy this weekend!

Baby Bean is due around the same time that I lost Papa. August will be one year since I lost the rock of my world. Instead of dreading the month, now I am almost looking forward to it. God knew.

Please keep my family in your prayers as we travel to NC & back.

Vintage Baby loves & general stuff

I love baby vintage stuff.

Things like old baby cards, vintage planters, wrapping paper, rattles, baby books, blankets....I could go on and on!



So far for Baby Bean I have bought it (I think its a HIM) a baby book from the 1960's, an adorable vintage yellow baby blanket (SO SOFT), vintage baby rattles and even some old baby soap. I don't plan on using the soap on him, I just loved the little box it was in.

Scary soap

See, the box is much cuter.

This pregnancy has been HARD.

Nauseousness all day long. Even in my sleep. I have literally been holed up at home since New Years. Every time I go out, I get dizzy and feel like I'm going to chuck all over the place.

Friday night we tried to go out for dinner and halfway thru my meal I got sick and had to retreat to the car. By the time we got home I felt like I was going to pass out. It was scary.

It is depressing to be stuck at home and not having the energy to do the things I love such as clean my house, write on my blog and yard work.......I have tried all of the "home remedies" but so far no luck.

I go back to the Dr. on Wednesday so hopefully we can find out if its normal nauseousness or something I need to worry about.

But enough complaining. I have a little miracle baby growing inside of me that I cannot wait to meet. God, in His infinite wisdom trusts me a lot more than I trust myself by giving me another precious baby.

Speaking of babies, my oldest baby, Jonathan, turns 16 today.

Time has flown. I was a very young first time mother. Only 19 when he was born. Jon-Jon instantly became my best friend as we grew up together. Today I am proud to say, that he is a bright young man. A solid Christian and an honor roll student. I could not be more proud of this child!

Jon-Jon & Mommy 6 months old

Jon-Jon & Mommy age 6

Prayer request---I am traveling home to NC this weekend. Tate, my baby boy has an EEG scheduled for Friday. Prayers that his testing turns out OK and that he can be brought down on his seizure meds. Also prayers that I won't be too tired and nauseous during this trip home!

Thank you dear readers!

What I Awoke to this Morning

So Cool Valentines Day Gifts

Valentine's Day is a favorite for me!

This year I have been so nauseous and sick that I haven't taken the time to decorate or even shop for gifts yet! Bummer.

But I have found some really cute things that I need to be ordering like NOW.

Hope you enjoy some of my hearts day ideas I have found:

What little girl wouldn't go ape nuts over this red ballerina skirt?
A little pricey at $80 but totally worth the fun!

Yummy soap from the UK!

Valentine Cupcake party in a box!

Not so traditional candy conversation hearts!

DIY "I Love You" bean! Kids love this!

fRED fLARE cake WALLET!

White Milk Glass

For Christmas this past year my Aunt Jill surprised me with TWO white milk glass hobnail vintage candy dishes! The one with the lid is a Fenton. I was in heaven!

Aren't they pretty?

I love collecting milk glass. It is so decorative, yet very understated. A simple and elegant way to liven up any shelf or hutch.

For Valentines Day I'm going to put lots of red foiled candy in the bowls.

My collection is growing. Next on my wish list is going to be a vintage hutch to store all my pretty white glass wares.

Happy vintage hunting!