Broken Heart!

This past week I had to say goodbye to my beloved Gigi. Gigi was 13 years old and died in her sleep. As hard as it was to let her go when I did, I know it was even harder for my husband who was the one who found her.
She was fine earlier in the morning before he and she went to sleep. I, of course, was already asleep. I got up and saw her for a few moments before she went back to sleep once the puppies were out of the room.
She was a wonderful cat, so different. She had previously been a bit unsocial but once the kids left she became so much more affectionate and loving. She would come and sit with me at my desk, lay next to me at night sleeping, or come climb in my lap when she felt I should be paying attention to her and not working on my computer. Her little head butts to my face when getting in my lap wasn't enough to make her point.

Family...

It has been a while since I have hosted Christmas dinner. I forgot how stressful it is but yet how rewarding it is at the same time. I had the wonderful pleasure of having a wonderful friend I haven't seen in 13 years come visit and introduce me to her new husband and spend Christmas with me and my family.
My friend was so wonderful she not only helped prepare dinner with me, she and her husband both helped with the preparation and clean up. While I was slightly nerve-wracked she was calm and kept telling me it was fine and not to worry we had plenty of time.
Thanks to her when my extended family showed up she took over telling me to visit with my family she had everything under control. She was awesome, even though I didn't completely do what she said...lol I couldn't just leave her to finish. Dinner was a hit and everyone ate more then we should have but isn't overeating cause the food is so good the norm?
My family was awesome and included my friend and her husband in the family gift exchange, which I had no idea they were doing. Now, this is not anything unusual to me since I have done the same in the past to make sure no one felt left out when they were in my home at this time, however, for me this year things were not so abundant so I was unable to do my traditional gifts abound as I have in the past so I was/am so grateful my In-laws were able to do what I could not.
My heart is overflowing with joy as we head into this new year and I am confident this year will bring with it positive and joyful events!!!

Life

Life is really crazy at times and when there are lulls in the craziness is when you realize how much you don't do when you are so busy. It isn't because you don't want to, it is just you run out of time in the day to do it.
Since school has started I have been working more than I have in some time. I love being at the school and getting to see my kids and meeting new ones. Seeing the personalities of the younger generation is great. A little scary at times because you see things and you have to ask yourself WTH??? But then there are those who you just can't help but be proud of and look forward to seeing what they will become.
I have been meaning to post, but as I said craziness of life has gotten in my way. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.

Eye Update...

Well had yet another follow-up today. The swelling/blood leakage is slow and has not increased. However, the eye pressure has increased to the point the doctor has now put me on putting medicated drops in twice a day to try to bring the pressure down before my next appointment. Still no end in sight (no pun intended) on the injections. I will be scheduling the next injection for early Feb sometime which will put it three months from the previous one in Nov.
The doctor has jumped back on the positive train of the sight will improve and I should gain better sight and not have the carnival mirror sight. I, however, am staying with let's be positive but let's live in reality, we can't repair the vessels and they are not healing, the injections are just slowing the leak not plugging it.
I am not giving up but with the length of time and the lack of improvement keeps me from going all the way to saying the sight will come back, may not be 20/20 but it will be better than what it has been. I am just not setting myself up for the disappointment I know will come when he has to say there is nothing more we can do.
As for now I still have good vision in my right eye even with it doing most of the work and for this, I am grateful and can still do what I love, write and design covers. Even if I lost my vision I could still write I would lose my ability to design and I know I would not be pleased or joyful about it at all.
Ending on a positive note, the drive is there to not give up and to stay somewhat positive for a good outcome in the end.