For the love...

...of a good quote

&

bokeh!

So...have you seen the movie "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"? I happen to LOVE British movies & this film was no exception. Frankie considers it a chick flick, so I watched it while staying with my mom. I was having a particular difficult, trying,  emotional,  one of THOSE kind of weeks (even tho all 3 wks were shitbuckets) but this quote by Ed Sheeran was repeated by one of the main characters in the movie and it was just what I needed at that particular moment in time to soothe my soul. It's certainly not the end yet on this journey with my parents...just a lull, which I'm kinda grateful for. I know we haven't hit bottom yet...so in the meantime, I'll just wait for everything to be ok.

Happy (bokeh) snapping

xo

Kelly

Wordless...

...Wednesday

Happy (wordless) Snapping

xo

Kelly

My little girl...

...is married!

I snuck a couple of pics with my i-phone. I didn't want to play photographer and miss a minute of this once in a lifetime event. I figured the hired photographer gets paid for that! The weather in San Francisco was picture perfect...what a great city that is. The city hall was breathtaking and an architectural wonder. Jamie wanted that vintage feel, so between her bridal ensemble and the venue, it was definitely achieved. Jamie, the groom's mom & sister and I spent a luxurious morning of the wedding in Jamie's suite with food and champagne, getting our make-up done and just being giddy girls. It's so pleasant getting along & having fun with our new family. I think half the battle of a successful marriage is if all the in-laws get along.  

It was back to reality and all the unpleasantries by Sunday-but it sure was nice to step into "normal" for a few days. 

Happy (4 ever happy) snapping!

xo

Kelly

In a...

...nutshell

Hello my friends. So much is happening in my life right now. 

If you are following me on IG, you know. For everyone else...here it is in a nutshell.

Let's just say, I've been making a boat load of lemonade! Holy heck. What ever could go wrong, did...What ever I didn't know, I learned. 

What ever strength I needed, I found and by golly, I'm hanging on!

Spent 3 grueling, emotionally exhausting weeks taking care of my mom (who still isn't ANY better)

We placed my dad in a permanent (awesome) facility this past Thursday

Applying for Medicaid is a F****** nightmare (sorry for the expletive) 

Austin did not make it into the Naval Academy (oh...that was a VERY bad day)

My daughter is getting married Friday (happy dance)

I joined theAlzheimer's Association and will be walking for a cure
My husband now makes better meatloaf than me (he kept the house running AND clean while I was away!)
Thank goodness Austin got his driver's license before I had to leave. He HAD to instantly learn to be totally independent (he's 17) -and did amazing!

Parents...PLEASE, PLEASE consider the "what if's" so your children don't have to live this hellish nightmare  my brother and I are going through. 

As things settle down on my end, I'm going to blog about this VERY important subject. I know it's not  easy talking about it...But if you have EVER had to deal with an aging parent that hasn't planned for unfortunate life events, you are dumping a horrible burden into your children's laps. I've made it my mission to be an advocate for this cause. More to come on that.

I have been visiting your blogs...but I will sit and comment in the weeks to come. 

I missed being here with y'all.

Happy (lemonade) Snapping!

xo

Kelly

Fridays...

 ...letters

Dear self,

How much sadness can the human heart take?

 Apparently a lot.

Dear State of Florida,

Although everyone is real friendly down here, ya'll have one speed...slow. You don't seem to realize we don't have a lot of time. Can you hurry things along?

Dear Naval Academy,

You broke our hearts. Yesterday was one of the saddest days we've ever experienced. Of course you didn't know I took a month off to be with my mom and fill out Medicaid forms, and search for SNF's, and file tax extensions and watch my dad deteriorate, and seriously...miss my boys till I think my heart literally broke...not to mention a list as long as my arm that still needs to get. But that's ok-cause Austin Will try again and then you're going to wish you didn't turn him down in the first place.

Dear THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL movie,

Thank you for the best quote on the day we heard from the NA,

"it will all be okay in the end if it's not okay, it's not the end"

Thats gonna be real useful in the days and months to come. 

Dear Mom,

I know things still aren't right in your head but you are being a trooper. You're eating and sleeping again and that alone does wonderful things. Dave, Teresa and I aren't giving up on you...don't you give up on you...ok?

Dear people at the Medicaid office,

HURRY

Dear Frankie,

I love you. Do you even know how torn I was being here and not being with you when that blasted letter came? I could have been in two places at one time, I would have...in a New York Minute. 9 days and counting. Xo

Dear 9 days and counting,

Hurry

Love,

Kelly