Tuesday

Well, as chaotic as my life has been lately, I figured what's a little more, so I am posting on a Tuesday. I really wanted to thank you all again for your kind comments and support, especially since I have not been around to catch up with you. I am looking forward to sitting down and spending some time doing just that very soon. In the meantime, I will share a bit about what we have been up to around here.

First off, I just spoke with my dermatologist and am thankful to say that both spots that were removed are harmless! Thank the Lord. I do not take good health for granted, and so I checked that off until next year. That leaves just my Primary Care appointment tomorrow and my annual eye doctor appointment next week. We also spent the day on Sunday going through things, packing a bit, purging a lot, and setting aside piles for donation. Peyton and Chris came, as did a good friend of our family, and we ended the day with some delicious pizza and Boggle.

Last Friday, we had no appointments and decided to take a day off from everything. Christopher and Peyton planned a day trip for us, and we had the most beautiful day! We drove to a beautiful park where they camp. The first stop was an amazing nature center that I could have spent a day exploring. Then we drove to a spot near a flowing stream where Steve and I sat while Peyton and Chris made lunch and Flynn explored. After that, we went to walk on a dam nearby and got some of the biggest ice cream cones I've ever seen! On the way home, we stopped at one of the most beautiful places around, and I couldn't believe I had never been there. Here are some pictures of that lovely day. First, a few pictures of the ordinary...

Morning coffee by the fire...

Homeschool on the couch...

And a visit to the two most wonderful people that I will continue to miss every single day.

I had to take a picture of my favorite season at the nature center! Then it was off to relax by the river, while Christopher and Peyton made lunch.

Then we cleaned and packed up and headed for the next stop, the dam built in the 1950's.  

It was so interesting to read all about it, and then actually see it in person.

We saw these elk on the way home. It is not uncommon to see them just walking down the road!

Peyton loves anything Civil War-related, and was happy to spot this on the way, too!

We finally arrive at the cross on the hill, a beautiful place for reflection, prayer, rest, and even weddings. Christopher actually worked on this space for his Eagle Scout project when he was younger. We arrived home happy and tired and happy!

Again, thank you for your kindness. I promise things will return to normal around here soon!

Have a wonderful day!

Billie Jo

All The Things From A Busy Week

Well, where did we leave off? Monday, right. I checked off the dreaded mammogram and gynecological visit on Monday, and am thankful for the normal results. Tuesday was my dentist appointment. Oddly enough, this is not something that bothers me. Go figure. The result of that quick visit is that I should rethink the amount of movie theatre popcorn I consume. Enough said. Onward. Wednesday was my yearly visit to the dermatologist. Having had a bout with Basal Cell Skin Cancer a few years ago, I am always a bit anxious for this appointment, although my doctor is the absolute best. She is so patient and thorough with me. I had a list of things I needed reassurance on, and she went through them with me. I did have two small spots taken off, and she feels very strongly that they will be fine, either nothing, a precancerous lesion, or a basal cell. I can deal with that. I am waiting for the results, and am using this time to practice working on sitting with my anxiety, knowing that I will deal with whatever happens in the future, and not allowing it to affect my today. Funny enough, side note here: one of the spots she removed wasn't on my list at all! 

So that wrapped up the appointments for the week. Thursday was rainy, gloomy, and cozy here, so Flynn and I did some schoolwork because homeschool knows no bounds. And I did begin the Purge of 2026, starting in our bedroom, where I proceeded to take everything out of my hope chest, feel all the feelings, and promptly put everything back in. After that, I hopped into my unmade bed and took a nap. I will always be real here, my friends. I was beat.

I am free from appointments until next week, so I plan on working around the house to pack, sort, and pitch the items that remain here. Peyton and Chris are always happy to help, and again, I am thankful. Between appointments and clearing the house, we have spent the best time with Peyton and Chris. They have had us over for dinner, games, and movies, and every time I leave their home, I am filled with happiness for the life my second-born has made with her Christopher. If I may be so bold as to offer a little bit of unsolicited advice, pray for your children. Pray that God will bring the person he has chosen for them into their lives in His way, in His time. He will hear you. 

Here are some pictures of the happy chaos around here this week. First up: my obligatory photo for Madison, showing her what I was wearing when we went to dinner with my best friend Heather and her husband Dave on Tuesday night. 

Always treat yourself after a dreaded medical appointment. It is a rule, I think.

Peyton and Chris had us for dinner on Wednesday after we returned from the dermatologist. She always has everything ready and organized! Steve cooked the hamburgers, and we ate outside of their beautiful home in the most peaceful yard. 

Again, I will always be real here. Please note me in this picture with their pup, Tundra. I am wearing another of Rhett's t-shirts from his donate pile because, clearly, I can't pack properly, and Steve's slip-on shoes because I am too lazy to find my own. And I am sporting a lovely bandage right in the middle of my forehead where the doctor removed an annoying spot. So while you mostly see photos of me all ready to go out, know that this is more typical of how I look on a daily basis. 

We had hamburgers, homemade macaroni salad, fries, and fresh fruit. All delicious. And then we went inside and played dominoes while a thunderstorm roared outside. Peyton outdid herself again, with a completely homemade ice cream cake for dessert!

It was amazing. And, she kept the rest for another night! The remaining photos are proof that I still enjoy my couch time with the pups. Whenever I have to go out, I look forward to coming home, showering, and putting on my housedress before hitting the couch. Time to relax is not wasted time. I feel very strongly about that. 

I apologize for not being around to visit. I will look forward to catching up with you this weekend, my friends. Until then, thank you for the support, kind words, and friendship. I read and reread every comment, and for those of you who have upcoming appointments as well, I am thinking of you. Don't let anxiety of the future steal your joy of today. My therapist's words...not mine! Go, check it off your list, and treat yourself. I am with you in spirit!

Long car rides and waiting rooms are conducive to Pinterest scrolling. Here are a few I saved and would love to share with you before I go. 

Ok. I am done!

But...

and

Happy Weekend!

Billie Jo

Monday Evening Coffee

Hello, my friends! Don't adjust your clocks and watches, it is indeed Monday evening! I first want to thank you all for your kind and supportive comments on my last post concerning my anxiety about my upcoming medical appointments. I appreciate your understanding and prayers, and carried them with me this morning. I know it seems a bit illogical to be so anxious about appointments I choose to make, but that is the nature of OCD. It can take the most mundane thing and spin it into the worst possible scenario, then convince me that it is the probability. My OCD has improved so much, as has my anxiety, but every now and then, it likes to remind me it is still around, so again, thank you. 

My first appointment was my annual mammogram. My friend Leslie texted me to ask me what time it was today, and I responded with this super attractive picture of me sitting in the waiting room. Why would I share this less-than-stellar picture of myself on the blog? To remind anyone who needs to schedule her mammogram that yes, it can be scary. It can be uncomfortable. But you will feel so much better when it is over, and you can check it off your list. After this, I headed upstairs for my yearly gynecological visit, another super fun time. Thankfully, that was good, as was my mammogram report, and I am good to go for another year!

Me. Before.

Me. On the way home. (PSA- McDonald's Vanilla Iced Coffee is underrated.)

And after!

Home, showered, and ready to hit the couch. Please note the Christmas t-shirt I found in Rhett's donate pile. Apparently, I didn't keep any of my t-shirts here like I sort of remembered I did. 

This past weekend was spent with Peyton and Chris and filled with good food, delicious desserts, games of dominoes, and a movie night too.

Next up: The dentist Tuesday and the dermatologist Wednesday. We have slowly been moving things to Maryland each time we have traveled, so we have a great deal of the work already done. However, we will spend time purging, packing, and donating this next week too. Thanks again, my friends. Have a wonderful evening, and stay cozy.

Billie Jo