Hi Cuties, I know we all go through ups and downs in our lives, but January was a really bad month for us. Any one thing was a major upset but one thing after another was really a heavy load.

As you know January 3rd we lost a brother-in-law from terminal cancer and a great nephew unexpectedly just an hour or so apart. My husband also saw our family doctor that afternoon for his back.
He also saw Dr again on the 12th and then was scheduled for an MRI on the 17th. Well, the MRI couldn't be done so they did a CAT scan which showed 3 bulging disc. Two of those disc were actually ruptured 20 years ago, so one more new disc involved. (Has appointment with a neurosurgeon scheduled soon)
Jan 27th another nephew had a brain bleed and wasn't expected to live. He did, but at the time my husband got the news, I had to be the strong one. It really upset him.
Then on the 30th one of my son's friends committed suicide.
After news of that, the same day a car exploded with Lanie ( our granddaughter) at work. A 2022 Denali she was valet parking in Seattle Washington, where she and Ty (her brother) are both living and working together, exploded. She felt the SUV tremble before it actually lifted up. That's when she turned the key off and jumped out. She is okay, but the cop told her as he was parked on the next block, he saw it all and she was one lucky little lady.
This isn't all, but to say we need a vacation is an understatement.
Speaking of which, I did not know all this back in October/November when I booked a week vacation for my family. That was all their Christmas present from us, so except for the younger ones stockings, no individual gifts were bought.
We rented a house that sleeps 25 so it's room and privacy for all. There are 8 bedrooms and 7 baths. Each of the 6 married couples will have their own bed and bath. The boys will share and room as will all the girls. It's 3 story has 2 hot tubes and 2 game rooms. We also wanted to give Eva this experience before she travels back home to Spain.
I don't know now, if my husband will be able to go so I told my family, regardless if we go or not, they still need to go, as it's paid and they've all put in for time off from work. Enjoy!
Ashley says, "Well mom, what are yall's plans for the days? What do yall want to see and do?" Hubby says just stay at the house!-lol-Relax
We have been there together once before and I've been there on two bus trips. I loved the fall of the year driving through the Smoky Mountains and see all the golds of the leaves turning. We've been there together, in the summertime, when everything was green too. It's always been nice, so I hope this time will be too. I do hope we are able to go.
Well, this is why I believe I haven't had the ump to create anything. I'm in a slump I am trying to crawl out of. I know we all have our problems, like I said earlier, but I just couldn't share it all until now. Hopefully we are turning the corner and hubby will be better soon. In some ways he is better but neither of us have had a good nights sleep this year.
Don't anyone worry about us, because I did choose to finally share. I wouldn't have shared unless it was better, so we are getting there, or at least I am-lol
Take care my friends. As always, I wish you all the best-Love_Toogie

ps-Have you ever seen so may leaves on the ground? This is the back of property and his shed roof, you can barely see, over the azaleas blooming. That is just one bush!
Also, look at the crawfish chimneys in the front yard! Coming from Spain, Eva has never seen them before-lol