HAPPY 2016!! Another year has begun!

We welcomed in the New Year with my brother's daughter, Mallory, this year!  What a great week it has been!  She and the girls spent some time with my mom, at our house, and a day in San Francisco. Fun week!  It was very sad to send her on her way back home but wonderful memories were made.  Can't wait to hear when she finds the little surprise I tucked into her suitcase!

I would like to make something public which I haven't talked much about yet.  I am letting my natural grays grow in!  Ack!  I've mentioned this transition to a few people at work and have gotten mixed responses.  Let me just say, at almost 50 years young, I no longer care what other people think!  Ha!  Here are a couple photos I've taken so far...

The new growth is probably a little more than 4 weeks but I think you can see a difference.  I think I'm in need of a trim too!

Surgery #2 is over and healing is on the way

I had part 2 of the pelvic surgeries on Nov. 4 after having a hysterectomy in Feb.  Whew, glad that is all done.  This time was a rather involved surgery taking three hours that included a bladder suspension, anterior and posterior repairs, and a muscle reattachment.  I had a rough first week but all's well now and I anticipate my recovery of 3 more weeks to be sufficient to go back to work.

Having so much time on my hands, more or less, I've got lots of time to work on my final class through Western Michigan University.  It is a geology class studying the rock formations of National Parks and monuments.  It's very interesting!  It has really sparked my interest to want to visit many of the National Parks.  Three weeks left of the class and I will officially graduate with my BA in the spring.  Thirty-year plan...better late than never!

We're also preparing for Thanksgiving this week and I hope to have some great photos of the family on Thursday.  Mom's first Thanksgiving in Cali with us!  Yay!!!  I'm so thankful!!!

Our pool!!!  Loving the addition to our home!  The plaster has been filtered out...time to get the swimsuits on!  Yippee!!!

Welcome to my revamped, newly improved blog!  I've been away from blogging and ready to get back at it!  Kids have grown and time has passed.  Hope you like the updated look.  Enjoy!