Sleepover at Blackjack Oaks Rd

Friday night dinner of chicken nuggets, french fries and fruit

Our smartest decision for the two days

Papa and his little helpers set a trap for any uninvited overnight visitors

Hoping to catch a backyard critter

Picking apples from Papa's apple tree

making a fun new dessert

movie night

Looks like Papa is needing his own wheelchair for his birthday!1

Our annual 'Nana and Papa' sleepover happened this past weekend - and this year was even more special because we were able to include Ammon's two oldest children in the fun while they are here visiting.
The kids all had a great time, even though 'Nana' was not at full speed because of my recent surgeries the same week.  So Papa took a lot of the responsibility on himself to make things work.

Poster Child for "The Teenage Sun Worshipper"

Yes, this was my past week. 
Consult with the surgeon Monday.
Lip surgery Tuesday.
Side of nose surgery Thursday.
All week regretting my vain choices of tanning as a teenager and even up to ten years ago.
I have had a few spots on my face for a few years now.  I've even had some past surgeries that weren't near as complicated as these were.  But I've always been so busy with work and other issues that I've never taken the time to get them checked out.
Well, last week, I took the time.  Found a really good dermatologist and he found about 7 spots - 5 of which were pre-cancerous and he 'froze' those spots, but the two large one's were cancer for sure.  He biopsied the two spots to confirm the cancer and sent me off to the cancer surgeon specialist to have this weeks procedures done.
So I am cancer free - for now.
I have to be checked every three months now and stay on top of those 'frozen' spots.  But I'm grateful it was all treatable.
I sure look a mess - but I feel okay.

A Hole the Size of the Grand Canyon

I quit my job.
Two weeks ago tomorrow, June 4th, I tried to have an 'early morning before work' discussion with Dr Henao about some events that were happening in the office, and after 30 minutes of realizing that she wasn't hearing what I was saying, I finally said, 'Dr Henao, I have to go home.' She quickly looked at the days schedule and expressed that I was going to be leaving her in a very difficult situation for the day without me there.  I looked back at her and said, ' No doctor, I have to go home, and I'm not coming back.'  I then went to my office, gathered my personal items and drove home.
We're both feeling very disrespected and betrayed by the other.  I won't go into details of my feelings because they didn't get heard by her and she has no clue why I quit.  She is only feeling betrayed and disrespected by the fact that I didn't stay and train someone to take my spot for the next 3 months, but walked out leaving my position empty.
And it's left a hole in my heart.
I love Dr Henao.  I have worked for almost 12 years with her.  As far as people?  She is one of the best.  As far as and Orthodontist?  She IS the best.  As far as an employer?  Not so much.  The first 8 years with her were perfect with the first 6 years at Apple Orthodontics with her.  Then when she opened her practice, I basically took her from a $300,000. company to an over 1.4 million company for the past 4 years.  And she's changed with the increase of those numbers.  Her focus has gone from people, to money....and more money.
I was doing the job of 5 people, at least.  Her claim was she couldn't afford to pay more people, just pay ME a little more to do more work.  But just like a rubberband that can only stretch so far, I snapped.  And she wasn't listening.
So, after certain behaviors on her part towards me and the rest of the staff, I had to walk away.
And for two weeks, I have been trying to figure out who I am now and what I need to do next.  I have indulged myself in living without the dictates of a clock; still waking up early, but not rushing to get out the door to appointments.  I have delved into my scriptures for hours on end, enjoying the chance to read and understand them as they are intended to be studied.  I have slipped off to the temple without explanation to anyone of my whereabouts, and I have watched an occasional movie and taken a daily nap when needed.
And I've cried. Emotionally broken.  How does one go from being the most important and needed person with responsibilities, deadlines and company finances on the line to....empty.  SO MUCH STRESS FOR 12 YEARS to TOTAL decompression time needed. I've been to the doctor who said my blood pressure is the lowest it has been in 4 years.  She says I should have quit years ago.  My daily headaches have slowly faded away - I am currently scheduled for a mammogram, colonoscopy, skin cancer screening and treatment and babysitting grandchildren next week while my daughters are at girls camp.
I guess it's time to take care of ME.  I'll be 60 in January.  I financially needed to work for a few more years for Del and I to be completely out of debt.  But retirement has come early for me.
We have decided I won't go back to work full time - not even part time.  I will just help with our Soft Swirlz, grandkids, my personal health and well being and this next stage of life for us.