Happy Heavenly 60th Birthday Mommy

 Hello Everyone!

On January 8th 1965 a little past midnight a wonderful person was born, my mom.  She has been on my mind a lot these last few weeks. Maybe it's our birthdays are two weeks to the date apart, or maybe its because I wish she was still here. Either way not a day goes by that I don't miss her beautiful face and love.

Happy Heavenly Birthday Mommy 💛 Today is your 60th Birthday. Even though you are no longer here I will celebrate your special day with wonderful memories 💛

I love and miss you 💛

Happy Birthday Merry Christmas to Me!!

 Happy Birthday to Me!!

And to all that celebrate, Merry Christmas to you! Today is my 39th birthday, and the beginning of my last year in my 30's. 

This is 39 

I feel so blessed to see another year. I think my birthday and holidays will be always be bittersweet since my mom is no longer here, but I will always cherish the wonderful memories of her especially today. 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day/My Birthday 

Today has been going well. It's Christmas and the middle of the week, so I been spending a quiet day at home with my godmother and best friend stopping by. I have to work in the morning so I'll probably go to bed a little early lol.

Birthday Gifts

Christmas Gifts

Birthday and Christmas Gifts from my Godmother 

And Birthday card from my bestie and a Birthday Treat.

As my birthday comes to an end in a few hours, I want to thank everyone that wished me a Happy Birthday. Today has been truly special 🤍  I hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas 🎄 

Bath & Body Works Candle Day 2024

 Hello Everyone!

Last Friday started the most Wonderful Time of the Year...at Bath & Body Works! Candle Day!

These candles were an early birthday and Christmas gift from my aunt. I choose two of my favorites Spice Apple Toddy and Hot Cocoa & Cream.

I usually have a Bath & Body Works gift Card this time of year lol so I picked out 4 more candles.

- The Perfect Christmas

- Marshmallow Fireside (an old time favorite of mine)

- Sugar Cookie

- Honeycrisp Apple (If you liked Farmstand Apple or American Apple, this candle has the same scents. I would know I used to love those Apple scents!) 

Did you shop for Candle Day?

The Holidays are Coming!

Hello Everyone!

It's that time of year again! We're almost at the holiday season. I said almost because Thanksgiving isn't here yet, and we're over a month away from Christmas. I may or may not have already two Hallmark Christmas Preview Movies for 2024. Don't get me wrong not all of them are good, but not all of them are bad either. The storyline might be same for majority of the Hallmart Christmas Movies, but I still watch them lol.

After a stressful day at work two weeks ago, I stopped into Starbucks to use my gift card on my way home. I went there on the day of new releases for their holiday collection.

In speaking of Starbucks Holiday Collection here is the display from two different Starbucks 

More from the 2024 Holiday Collection 

Is it really the holidays if you don't watch How the Grinch Stole Christmas! I will always love the original animated version.

Last but not least, the star of today's post...My Christmas Tree! I've had this tree up for about 2 weeks, but I haven't decorated yet. Since Thanksgiving is late this year. I'll probably start decorating this week.

Happy Holidays!

Fall Comfort Foods

 Hello Everyone!

South Carolina has been experiencing some interesting weather. Some days it's cool other days it's hot and then we have the days where it's both cool and warm.

For the past couple of years November has been my favorite month to make a homemade chicken pot pie. It's the ultimate comfort meal for Fall! Since I work long hours I usually meal prep. A homemade chicken pot pie is a perfect meal to come home and eat.

Brisk mornings call for a nice cup of hot chocolate. This is one my favorite Fall (and Winter) treats.

Happy November Days!

Hurricane Helene Aftermath

 Hello Everyone, 

I want to start this post by thanking those who reached out to me. Last week Hurricane Helene did impact various states including here in South Carolina. 

Last week I had a bit of weird schedule due to coverage issues so I ended up doing a 4 hours shift til close Thursday. When I went to work late Thursday afternoon it was a mess outside. Flooding issues, winds, and heavy rain. After I got off the weather starting to get bad again. Thankfully I got work and back home safely.

Late Thursday night my power went out and trees were down. I was without power until Sunday mid-morning. Spoiled food, hot apartment, no phone, and lack of sleep I'm exhausted to say the least. I also had to go to work on Monday and Tuesday for 12.5 hours both days. The lights even went out at my job Tuesday in addition to no phone or internet. Thankfully it only lasted about hour without lights because it starting getting hot. 

I think I saw on the News that 1.3 million South Carolina residents were without (and still without power)

It's be a rough couple of days, but nonetheless I'm very fortunate and feel blessed.

September is Sepsis Awareness Month

 Hello Everyone!

August 2023

Today I want to discuss Sepsis. This is a difficult and scary topic for me because I am a 3 times sepsis survivor with a year. On August 19 2023. My life was changed once again after losing my mom the month prior on the 4th of July.

I went to work that Friday did a 10.5 hour shift at my old job then I went home and collapsed in my doorway. Thankfully my bag broke my fall. I spent the weekend in and out of deliciousness until I talked with my aunt who insisted I call 911. By time 911 got to my house I had to be picked up and put on the stretcher. I passed out 3 different times in the ambulance with a fever of 104 and at the time I only lived about 10 minutes away from the hospital.

August 2023

By time I got to the ER I was in pretty bad shape, very sick, scared, crying, and confused. I will never forget the ER doctor held my hand and said that I was just really sick, but he wasn't going to let me die. Come to find out later if I had waited a few hours or the next day I probably wouldn't be here sharing my story. 

August 2023

As most of my regular readers know my mom died, but one of the main things that killed my mom was sadly she went into septic shock. I had never heard of sepsis or septic shock. I was trying to understand this cruel illness that ultimately contributed in taking my mom's life, but I didn't know a month later I would be fighting my own battle with Sepsis.

What is Sepsis?

June 2024

Sepsis is a life-threatening emergency that happens when your body’s response to an infection damages vital organs and, often, causes death. In other words, it’s your body’s overactive and toxic response to an infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Sepsis can lead to severe sepsis and septic shock.

June 2024

Your immune system usually works to fight any germs (bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites) to prevent infection. If an infection does occur, your immune system will try to fight it, although you may need help with medication such as antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics. However, for reasons researchers don’t understand, sometimes the immune system stops fighting the “invaders,” and begins to turn on itself. This is the start of sepsis.

June 2024

I usually check my temperature daily. It's become routine. If I have a 100° fever I need to go to the ER.  After effect  I don't feel like I used too if I'm being completely honest. When I got out the hospital I suffered from nightmares, tiredness, and leg pain. Emotionally I tend to get frustrated and irritated. I usually can get a grip on these feelings, but there have been days that I would cry because I just want to feel like myself again before sepsis. Sepsis has taught me don't wait to get medical treatment. When I feel extremely sick or when in doubt, I'm going to doctor or emergency room.