Busy Days, SweetMoments, and Birthday Celebrations

 

Today was one of those days that started early and didn’t stop until the evening — but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

The morning began with some much-needed chores before we turned our attention to something much more festive: decorating our Christmas tree. There’s just something about seeing those twinkling lights and ornaments come together that fills my heart with joy. Once the tree was complete, I placed the wrapped gifts I had prepared for Michelle’s family underneath. It was the perfect chance to take inventory and see how many presents I already have for the four grandchildren. Spoiler alert — they’re pretty spoiled, and I’m not even sorry!

Just as I was finishing up, my stepdad called and asked me to come out to his place. He lives about thirty minutes away, so I planned to head that way around 2 p.m. But before that, I had one very special event on my calendar — little Hattie’s third birthday party.

Before the celebration, I stopped to pick up some Play-Doh to add to her gift from Trevor and his family. I had already put together a sweet bundle that included a doll and a pastel pop-it purse, but I knew she’d love some Play-Doh fun, too. Our personal gift to her was a Barbie doll set, a dress-up kit, a cute new dress, and of course, candy and chips — because what’s a birthday without a little treat?

Hattie turned three today, and she’s the perfect mix of sweet, sassy, and full of life. Lately, she’s been all about Spidey, and I love watching her excitement when she talks about it. At her party, she wanted to go outside and swing, so naturally, I followed her lead. She looked up at me with her big smile and said, “Not too fast!” That simple moment — pushing her on the swing while she laughed — was honestly the highlight of my day.

The birthday fun went from 3:00 to about 5:15 p.m., and after saying my goodbyes, it was time to head to the next family celebration — our son-in-law Jonathan’s birthday dinner at Cotton Patch in Chickasha, Oklahoma. I made a quick stop at home to pick up Mr. C, and we arrived at the restaurant right at 6 p.m.

Jonathan turned 31 this year, and his birthday is actually on October 28th, but tonight was the perfect evening to celebrate together. Joining us were Alisha and Jonathan, Savannah and Brody, Lane, Landon and Sophie, Elizabeth and Charles, and of course, Mr. C and me. We shared laughter, stories, and good conversation — exactly what a family gathering should be.

Our gifts to Jonathan were three golf shirts, some Dr. Squatch soap, and a bath wash set with mitts. He really seemed to like them — and he’s always so gracious when receiving gifts. I’m especially glad he enjoys Dr. Squatch products, since they’re easy to find at Walmart or Amazon.

For dinner, Luther went with his usual — the catfish basket — while I decided to try the Cajun pasta with blackened chicken and shrimp. I’ll be honest, it could’ve used a bit more Alfredo sauce because the pasta was on the dry side. But my margarita on the rocks more than made up for it — a nice little adult treat to end a long, busy day.

By the time we got home, I was tired but content. It was one of those days that reminded me what really matters — time with family, celebrating life’s little moments, and making memories with the ones we love.

#FamilyTime #BirthdayCelebration #GrandmaLife #BusyDays #MakingMemories #FamilyFirst #GratefulHeart #ChristmasPrep #LifeInOklahoma #SimpleJoys

🦃November Goals and Thanksgiving Prep🦃

November is here, and with it comes all the cozy feelings of home, family, and tradition. This month always feels like a gentle pause before the rush of December — a time to slow down, cook comforting meals, and make the house feel festive for Thanksgiving. I love the calm, thoughtful pace of November. It’s a month filled with planning, preparing, and counting blessings.

At the top of my November goals list is getting ready for Thanksgiving. I’ve already started gathering recipes and making my grocery list for our traditional meal. Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, and green bean casserole — all the favorites will be making their yearly appearance. I always like to add something a little special, too, maybe a new dessert or a festive side dish just to change things up a bit. There’s something so comforting about cooking family recipes that have been passed down year after year.

Another one of my goals this month is to get a jump start on wrapping Christmas presents. I know it’s early, but having a few gifts wrapped and tucked away makes the holidays feel a little less rushed. I’ve already picked up some wrapping paper with soft fall colors — golds, browns, and deep reds — so they’ll fit right in with my Thanksgiving decor until it’s time to switch to full-on Christmas.

Speaking of decor, I’m planning to spend a weekend decorating the house for Thanksgiving. I love mixing pumpkins with little touches of rustic charm — candles, fall garlands, and maybe a few simple table settings for the big meal. The goal is to make everything feel warm, welcoming, and ready for family. I’ve got my eye on a new centerpiece idea using pinecones, mini pumpkins, and twinkling fairy lights.

And in between all the cooking, decorating, and wrapping, I want to take time to just enjoy the moments — maybe a quiet Sunday drive, a cup of coffee on a cool morning, or a simple evening watching the leaves fall. November reminds me to slow down, to be thankful, and to savor the season before the hustle and bustle of December arrives.

So here’s to a month filled with good food, cozy homes, and grateful hearts. I’m ready to make the most of it.

Rolling into Recovery from Colonoscopy

 

Well, folks, I can officially say I survived Colonoscopy Day 2025 — and honestly, it wasn’t half bad!

My morning started at 5 a.m., which is far too early for any sane person, but apparently, that’s the price of good colon health. My friend Cherrie rolled up at 6:30 to chauffeur me to Integris Canadian Valley Hospital in Yukon. It was dark, it was raining, and I was running on zero coffee — talk about dedication!

We checked in around 8:00 a.m., and before long, I was sporting that ever-so-fashionable hospital gown. The nurses were great, my doctor Dr. Chen was calm and friendly, and the anesthesiologist worked his sleepy-time magic. One minute I was chatting, the next minute I was snoring.

Fifteen minutes later — poof! — it was all done. They removed a little polyp (nothing major), and I’ll get the results in about a week. When I woke up, I felt surprisingly good! Cherrie’s son Coty helped me to the car, and that’s when my hunger hit like a freight train.

First stop: Target — because where else would a girl go post-procedure? I grabbed some potato soup and even found a Christmas gift for my grandson Max. Cherrie also picked me up a mocha frappe from Starbucks, it was much needed. Then, Cherrie swung by Casey’s, and I devoured a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich like I hadn’t eaten in years.

We wrapped things up with a trip to Atwoods, where I treated myself to an extra-large T-shirt to lounge around in. Because after a colonoscopy, comfort is a right, not a privilege.

By the time we got home, I was sipping my drink from the drive-thru and feeling surprisingly fabulous — way better than my last one ten years ago. I am a bit sore and nauseous but overall the day went good. I give this whole experience a 10/10, and I’m extra grateful for Cherrie and Coty being my support team.

So yes, friends — go get that colonoscopy! You’ll feel better knowing you’re taking care of yourself. And if nothing else, you’ve earned yourself a cozy T-shirt and a guilt-free breakfast sandwich afterward.

Colonoscopies: The Prep, the Nerves, and the Peace of Mind

Tomorrow, October 28th, is my big day — I’ll be at Integris Canadian Valley Regional Hospital in Yukon, Oklahoma, where the Digestive Disease Specialists will be performing my colonoscopy. My procedure starts bright and early at 9:30 a.m., and I’m a little nervous, but mostly just ready to get it over with.

The last time I had this done was ten years ago, back in 2015, and thankfully, everything turned out fine. Still, there’s something about the word colonoscopy that makes you tense up just a bit, isn’t there? But as much as I might want to skip it, I know how important this screening is.

Today’s the Prep Day

Today, I’m on what they call a clear liquid diet. For lunch, I’m having chicken broth. I’ve also packed a couple of lemon-lime Jell-Os and a bottle of Gatorade (the light-colored kind). I can have Coke or Sprite too — which helps keep the day a little more bearable!

At 5 p.m., I’ll start the first round of my prep medication, and then take the second round at 9 p.m. I’ve heard the taste can be pretty bad, so my plan is to chill it and drink it through a straw to keep that flavor off my taste buds. Pro tip from me to you!

Since I’ll be spending quite a bit of time running back and forth to the bathroom tonight, I’ve already decided to sleep in the guest bedroom — it’s closer to the bathroom and saves me from having to trek across the house every time. (If you’ve ever done one of these, you know exactly what I mean!)

Why This Test Matters

It’s easy to dread the prep, but the truth is, colonoscopies save lives. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025 there will be an estimated 107,320 new cases of colon cancer and 46,950 new cases of rectal cancer in the U.S. But here’s the good news — regular colonoscopy screening can reduce colon cancer incidence by over 50% and mortality by about 60%.

That’s because colonoscopies can find and remove polyps — small growths that could turn cancerous over time — long before they cause problems.

The CDC also reports that 7 out of 10 adults aged 50–75 are now up to date with their colorectal cancer screenings. That’s encouraging, but we still have room for improvement, especially since the recommended age for starting screening is now 45 for most adults.

Looking Ahead

Tomorrow morning, I’ll check in, get prepped, and then it’s lights out for a bit — sedation usually does the trick. After the procedure, I’ll rest, have someone drive me home, and hopefully get some reassuring results like I did ten years ago.

I might be a little nervous now, but I also feel grateful — grateful that screenings like this exist, grateful for the doctors and nurses who make it routine, and grateful for the chance to take care of my health proactively.

So, here’s my message for anyone reading this who’s been putting off their colonoscopy: don’t wait. The prep might be inconvenient (and okay, a little gross), but the peace of mind afterward is totally worth it.

Tomorrow, I’ll take a deep breath, trust my doctors, and know I’m doing something good for myself.

Denton Texas Halloween Spectacular

                          

                            🎃 “Spooktacular Celebrations in Denton: A Weekend to Remember!”

Saturday morning started bright and early — I woke up with that mix of excitement and anticipation that only a fun girls’ weekend can bring. By a little after noon, I was headed over to Shelby’s house to meet up with her and her mom, Deanne. The plan? A road trip to Denton, Texas for their annual Halloween Spectacular!

It’s about a two-hour drive from home, a smooth and easy ride down Highway 81.  The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, and the conversation flowed as easily as the miles. There’s just something about road trips with good friends — laughter, snacks, and a shared sense of adventure make the time fly by.

Once we arrived in Denton, our first stop was the Hampton Inn & Suites, our cozy home for the night. After checking in, we took a little time to unwind and freshen up before heading out for the evening’s celebration.

And tonight was extra special — it was Shelby’s 30th birthday! 🎉 We decided to celebrate with dinner at Texas Roadhouse, one of our favorites. The place was buzzing with energy, the smell of sizzling steaks filling the air. I ordered the steak bites with loaded mashed potatoes and a Caesar salad — pure comfort food perfection. Every bite was delicious, and the laughter around our table made it even better.

Shelby already knows what she’s ordering! 

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to change and get ready for the main event — the Denton Town Square Halloween Festivities! We ended up parking at the Denton Library and walking quite a ways to the square, but it was well worth it once we saw all the decorations. The entire area was glowing with Halloween spirit — from spooky storefronts to pumpkins and cobwebs on every corner. There were people everywhere dressed in creative costumes, from witches and skeletons to superheroes and funny themed outfits.

A couple of my favorite costumes. 

The square was packed with vendors, food trucks, and unique booths. Everywhere you looked, there was something interesting to see. We wandered into a Lego resale shop, and I couldn’t resist picking up a bag of pastel-colored Legos — pinks, purples, and teals — to add to my collection. Shelby found a few comic books for our co-worker Sam, who’s a big comic and Lego fan. It was the perfect little surprise for his upcoming birthday.

Thursday Thoughts & Weekend Plans

Today is finally Thursday, and I couldn’t be happier that the weekend is almost here! I’ve been counting down the days because I’ve got a girls’ weekend planned with Shelby and Deanne. We’re heading to Denton, Texas for their Halloween Spectacular, and from what I’ve seen on social media, it looks like an absolute blast! Most of the events are free, and everything has such a fun, festive vibe. I can already tell this is going to be one of those weekends filled with laughter, photo ops, and memories we’ll talk about for years.

The mornings have definitely turned cooler, and I’ve been needing a jacket to stay comfortable. Luckily, I bought my newest favorite jacket while passing through the Denver airport last month—what started as a souvenir has turned into a fall essential!

This week, I’ve been covering Shelby’s shift, which runs from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and let me just say—it’s been an adjustment. I’ve realized that I much prefer my regular 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. schedule. That extra half hour of sleep makes a big difference, especially since I am not a morning person. Getting up at 4:30 a.m. has been rough, and I’ve learned (once again) that I need at least eight solid hours of sleep to function properly.

Work itself was smoother today. The phone lines weren’t as busy, and I had several really pleasant conversations with members. Since my job involves retaining members, it can be challenging—especially when people call in upset or frustrated. Some days are definitely harder than others, but I do my best to deescalate situations and help members stay with us. My daily goal is 10 saves, though I always try to push for 12. On days like today, when everyone’s kind and understanding, it makes me truly appreciate what I do. And honestly, I owe a lot to my amazing manager, Sherry—without her encouragement and support, I don’t think I’d still be in this department.

After work, I came straight home, where Mr. C had a warm dinner waiting: stew and cornbread—the ultimate comfort food, especially on a cool, rainy evening. It instantly brought me back to my childhood, when a pot of stew simmering on the stove meant all was right with the world. After dinner, we cleaned up the kitchen and packed my lunch for tomorrow.

The weather’s turning stormy, with thunder rolling in and rain expected for the next several days. Mr. C joked that we might need a canoe for our trip to Texas this weekend—which honestly might not be far from the truth!

Now, as I wind down for the evening, I’m grateful for a calm night at home, good food, and something to look forward to. Sometimes, it’s those simple midweek moments that make everything feel just right.