Guest Blog: The Great Brain by the Dog Walker

 Mom asked me to write a post for her, probably because she has been busy with scrapbooking a lot ever since the new year has started. She doesn't want to stop until everything is done with scrapbooking and all the memories are brought back to us.

Speaking of memories, Mom has enjoyed all those times of me reading to her, not only from reading the chapters in textbooks aloud while being at college, but also reading novels and other stories out loud for either fun or for Curly and Baby Doll liking the Harry Potter series. This new series that I started reading to Mom recently is called The Great Brain. 

She told me that she and Dad each liked reading that book series when they were kids. It kind of brings touching nostalgia to them when it comes to hearing me read the first book to them. Well, mostly to Mom. The Great Brain is about a young boy in Utah who's called The Great Brain, because he uses his brain for smart-aleck purposes for taking advantage of others without suspicion from anybody, except his younger brother.

It's quite an interesting series when it comes to not only knowing about the characteristics, but also hearing a little bit of religious historical fiction. I have quite a long way to go with reading the whole series, but it makes the story a lot easier to understand for me when I read it to Mom and she explains it a lot more. 

All Good Things Come to an End

So Scout came home today and we chased around and ran errands. First, we picked up Baby Doll's coat from the cleaners (much cheaper with my birthday coupon) and then we ran over to Kohls to pick up Scout's online order.

We went to Jamba, Reams, Smith's, and Jimmy Johns. We picked up Baby Doll and Burrito and we spent a couple of hours selling Girl Scout cookies.

Then tonight we went to Chili's for dinner to use the last of my birthday coupons.

It sure made January a lot more fun.

Hot & Cold

It has been a fun week and a rough week. My sweetie and I have had fun redeeming a few more of my birthday gifts from places like Einstein Bagels, Texas Roadhouse, Carl's Jr and Del Taco. My sweetie was totally surprised at the generosity of our local businesses.

The first place I took him was Del Taco. He even took a pic so he could brag about the receipt. Three tacos and a regular vanilla shake for $1.87.

It has been a fun game, but now I have to be a bit more serious. Girl Scout cookie deadlines are looming and I had a procedure done on my nose yesterday.

They got me really numb and then they basically burned the turbinates in my nose to hopefully give me more room to breathe. The procedure was painful and now I have 3-6 weeks of homecare.

I finally got my new sheet protectors after nearly a week and I am making good use of them!

Birthday Stuff

Sorry I didn't post last night. I also received a cute keychain and I can't find it, but I will post the other things the kids gave me.

Somebody knew I was scrapbooking!

I have some amazing artists!! My sweetie got me these.

Cutco is so expensive!! Thank you for spoiling me.

January Family Birthday Party

We had a great time tonight! We celebrated my birthday and Tadpole's birthday. My sweetie and the kids made an excellent meal. Scout made yummy frog-eye salad, Taco made delicious rolls, my sweetie made sweet potatoes, alfredo, and pork roast. The Dog Walker made peas and punch. Dessert was the best! Beauty made brownies, Princess made lemon bars, and Bossy made an amazing carrot cake. She said it was so fun that for a minute she wanted to work in a bakery again. Let me share some pics with you.

Tomorrow I will show you the beautiful gifts I was given.

Happy birthday to me!!

Today was my Birthday!

I turned 60 years old...how did I get so old?

Scout and Sport took me to Kneaders for breakfast. It was so yummy!

Last night Scout did my nails for me. Forgive the bad pic. I'm never gonna make is as a hand model...

But my nails look great!

I took Sport to the urgent care for his shoulder and then as per our tradition, Scout and I spent the day gathering freebies (but not pics).

We started at Bath and Body Works for a free tube of lotion, then the Megaplex for free popcorn with lots of butter. Next was a free cookie at Chick-fil-A and a pastry from Panera. Scout also bought us lunch there so I was happy to let her choose and keep the free Sephora lipstick and lip liner. Then we stopped at Buffalo Wild Wings  for a 6-pc birthday wings and Chipotle for free guacamole.  (Those last two places were for my sweetie.)

We dropped his food off and picked up Baby Doll. Then it was 3 donuts from Krispee Kreme and a stop at the mall so I could use my $10 gift (I got 2 cute pairs of socks that I promptly gave to Baby Doll.

Then we went to Sams on a grocery run. I was so tired when we got back and I still have another half dozen freebies to pick up next week.

Fortunately, we sure had fun!!

Update on Grandpa

I know you are all worried about my cute dad and his current hospital stay. Since I invested a good part of my day there, I thought I might give you an update.

This is the occupational therapist. She helped Dad get up and out of bed. Then she helped him brush his teeth.

He was really tired this morning, but he perked right up after lunch.

They are hoping he can leave tomorrow, but only if he is strong enough. I guess we'll see.

=

Wordless Wednesday - Crafty's Cute Puppy

 

Grandpa is in the Hospital

This morning, just when I was finally awake and ready to face the new day, I got a call from the care center. Grandpa had taken a turn for the worse and they wanted him to take a trip to the emergency room. If I were not available, they would send an amblance.

I dressed rapidly.

When we got to the hospital, they checked him in quickly. After a bunch of tests, they determined that he had influenza A, a UTI, and inflammation in his chest.

So they admitted him.

After he was settled, I came home for a couple of hours. About 7:00 pm, my sweetie and I went back for a little visit. He was just finishing dinner, so we sat with him until he fell asleep again. 

He seemed better to me, but we will have to wait and see.

Cookie Sales and Scrapbooks

It seems that all I do lately is scrapbooking and selling Girl Scout cookies. I have put off any real work on the scrapbooks for more than a decade. I always thought it was because I didn't know where to start, but now I'm seriously starting to believe it's because I don't know where to stop!

There is so much to do in this never-ending game. Just when I started wondering if the kids even care, four of them sat around tonight and read funny things to each other. They laughed and pointed out silly faces and clothes.

I loved their appreciation for all my hard work.

More Volleyball & Dinner

Baby Doll played so well today! Her team took 1st place in the Silver Bracket. Here's a few more pics for you.

We were at the tournament from 7:15 to nearly 5:00. After we got home, Scout took me and Baby Doll to Denny's for an early birthday dinner.

It was a great day.