Ketchup or Catsup?

My beautiful cat looking at the fog.

I think it is more like catch up.  lol!  I don't think I can ever catch up.  But I thought I would get this out of March and into April at least.

Papa is on his way to pick up Lauren and Mac for the night.  Mac hasn't been over to see Sandy in a very long time so it is time for sure.  I think they will be pretty excited.  Sandy is having a harder time getting up and down the 2 steps to the back deck.  That isn't good.  Poor girl.  We love her so much! I call her Sandra or Sandy girl. Papa calls her Sand-woman.  lol!  He calls our cat Skitters.

An old friend of ours who we deliberately lost contact with passed away on Good Friday. He was only 67 and had Alzheimers and then pneumonia at the end.  I was very sad for what he must have gone through and for his family.  Lanny said he wasn't sad because he knew he was with the Lord. His memorial is today.  People just keep dying. It is so difficult.

It was Spring Break this past week.  Dylan and Madi came over yesterday and brought the last Star Wars Movie. We watched it and had popcorn. It was so awesome.  Scruffy was very disrupting.  He took a mozzarella cheese stick outside to bury it.  But Sandy was following him so he brought it back in and jumped on the couch to drop on Madi's lap.  She got a cheese stick, dirt, drool and needles. It was really funny! She laughed. I took a picture. haha!

 I love Star Wars. I almost got tears just hearing the theme!  And during the movie I did cry!  One part broke my heart.  I am sure I am the last to see the movie but I don't want to spoil it in case someone didn't.  For all the hundreds of people who read this.

Madi

Went and watched Jael sing while she was in Silverdale.  She was amazing as always.  Papa dropped off Lauren and Madi.  Alyssa came.  Jael's mom (Nell) was there too.

Jael

Nell

Alyssa

Madi

This is my view in the morning... the tulips from Amanda and Aaron and my hummingbird feeder.

I did get the trailer ready for Kevon! Took everything we want out and left him bowls, plates silverware, napkins, bedding, a tv, a microwave oven, bandaids, hangers, flashlights, toaster, coffee maker, and stuff in there for him. All he basically needs to take off is food. I hope he gets as much happiness from using it as we did! Another chapter closed for us.

Lost another old friend.  Lyle Tester from our class passed away.  The numbers are freaking me out. 

Had a CT Scan last Wednesday. Was a bit stressed.  Had some coffee but that was all I could have. My appt was 11:30 and of course it was late .... probably because I was hungry.  It was a bit scary because I am not a fan of laying still.  It wasn't as bad as an MRI.  I got to keep my clothes on. First good thing. Then I had to lay on a narrow bench (but they did prop up my knees to save my back.) for about 10-15 minutes.  I didn't like holding my arms over my head the whole time and keeping my eyes shut. But I am glad I got it done. 
Got my results the next day ..... the CT scan of my chest in general looks normal, no particular causes for my breathlessness is noted. So next I go to the Pulmonary Dr. and then go and get my Echo-cardiogram hopefully by the end of the month. That should about cover everything. I am praying it is not my heart.  I don't know what it can be.  At least I have no tumors or bad things going on in my chest. 

My husband is such a great cook.  He gets better every day!  Here was my meal the other night.  I like my steak well done and he can make it perfect without making it tough. 

We had lunch with our good friends Lester and Cheryl.  We hardly ever see them so it was such a great time visiting and eating.  We went to Big Apple in Bremerton.  Now we are going to try to meet at least once a month. 

Easter we went and had a wonderful ham dinner with Lauren, Andrew, Amanda and Aaron (her fiance). They have a really nice how and it was a great time with good food and company!  

Scruffy got a beautiful SHORT haircut while I was on my break from blogging.

Berta's memorial service was really nice.  Tons of people. Good food.  Good service.  Reunited with old friends.  Here are some pictures.

Scott.... Berta's husband.

Bob Kimball, my ex Dave Ellis talking with our son, Kevon

Madi came for me.

So did Lauren and Andrew

Dan Belgarde, Jeff Todd, Randy George, Tom Todd, and Mike Anson

Berta's brother Dennis and his wife Sherry

Kevon and friend Ryan 

Took grand daughter Jordy and niece Alyssa to breakfast one Saturday morning. A couple of my favorite girls!

And Andrew got his AA from the local community college.  He'll be going on to the 4 year college in the fall.

I'm sure there was more in the month but that is about it for me.  Lauren and I just watched Pitch Perfect and now we are watching Grease.  It is so beautiful outside and we are in here watching movies. lol!  We spent time this morning playing cards.  I beat her twice at Speed and then taught her cribbage.  She had her music cranked and sang her heart out. It was fun.

Lauren got braces this past month too!  Already can see a difference. 

Well, I hope you enjoy April!  xoxo

Oh....to be Chinese!!!

Today is the Chinese New Year!!!  And I think we should celebrate!!!!  Sounds awesome!!! Here is what it entails....

The new year is by far the most important festival of the Chinese lunar calendar. It is celebrated on the second new Moon after the winter solstice. The holiday is a time of renewal, with debts cleared, new clothes bought, shops and homes decorated, and families gathered for a reunion dinner. Chinese New Year is marked by fireworks, traditional lion dances, gift giving, and special foods.

Dylan and Maddie when we got my van new... watching a movie!

I am so excited this morning!  Our van is paid off!!! It is ours! We owe nothing on any vehicles! Praise God!!!  But this is still a very rough month financially... without my income and Walmart. Just trusting God to see us through and looking forward to top ramen and pancakes. But the van is paid off.  When we bought the van it was to drive grandkids around. I was taking care of Lauren and Maddie and picking Andrew up from school every day and I didn't have the room in the car I had. Plus when I had Dylan it was even more crowded.  This van has been wonderful. It has driven the grandkids around, Ms. Mary, my mama, and my dad for a brief time. It took us and Karla's family to the zoo, it took us and Ryan's family to Porter's BBQ, I grieved in it, laughed in it and had some road rage in it!  I love my van and thank God for it!

The only picture I could find of my van while looking at the house for sale... that we bought!

Dave called me yesterday (my ex).  He is doing really well!!! Amazing good!  He said he should be a text case for how great it could go!  I said..."You know why don't you?" He said "Why"... I said "The power of prayer....you had people praying all over this country!!!!" He said "Aw, Joyce, you know I don't subscribe to that way of thinking" I said... "Well, you should think about it. You should be a dead man and you're not."  He doesn't realize God still has a plan for his life and I cannot wait to see what it is!  We talked about how after surgery the doc told him he probably would have died within a few days had he not had the surgery... that is how bad his valve was!!!  I, personally, see God's hand here!  We talked for quite awhile.  After we finished I updated Kevon on how his dad is doing and we talked a bit.  I pray someday they reconcile.  I pray a lot.  In God's time.  I thought this would have done it but I guess not.

Yesterday I did a lot! I watched a hoarders show and that is all it takes. I started cleaning... cleaned my bathroom; the walls and mirrors and stuff, went into the den and moved the tv and emptied the bookshelf in our room that threatens to kill papa in his sleep if it fell... and put it in the den and put the video's, dvd's, and video games on the shelves.... dusted and rearranged pictures.... and tossed out some videos and dvd's!!!  Wow!  Did lots of stuff.  Found stuff I thought I lost.... threw most of it out since I haven't needed it this long! Felt good!

Today I am taking a house break and picking up Lois. We are meeting Libby at mom's and all going to the doctor appt with mom.  Mom will have all her girls together today which will thrill her!  Looking forward to the day! I love my family!!!!

Papa is off tomorrow.  Yay!!!!  He can go to the store with me.  Well, that's all I got... looking around my area to see if I forgot anything... but I think I said it all!  Have a great day... a God day and I want to leave you with this: