Bucy6

Monday, November 2, 2026

Where we at...

Well, it's been a little while, so I thought I'd post a check-in. Lots has been happening. One of the main things is the 24-year anniversary for me and Kevin. We're planning a big trip next year for 25, so we kept it simple this year with a hiking trip to West Virginia. We thought that since we were going there, we would pick my mom up on the way, so she could see some family and visit her mom's grave. Kevin drove, God bless him!

We started out with the WV sign because my mom always sang Almost Heaven whenever we passed it as kids, and on this trip, she sang it again. I sent the pic to my sisters because it's so nostalgic.

When my mom sold our childhood home and moved into a community, she had a painting of Blackwater Falls that she had painted by a street artist in Vietnam. She wanted to hang this painting in her new place, so I spent many months trying to clean the dust off it (it was 2D) with Q-Tips and water. Because of that, when I thought of hiking, I suggested Blackwater Falls, so I could actually see the painting in person.

We climbed past the fence for this view. We sat here for a bit before we got overtaken with strangers' young children.

I can't remember the name of this waterfall. It started with an E.

This was another pretty view from a rock we sat upon. This one we got to stay a bit longer because it was a harder trek to get to. We got new hiking sticks that came in handy! It was so pretty.

While our hiking trip missed the fall foliage, and it had already passed, back home was just starting. It's so pretty out. Kevin and I hope to hike more on the weekends before the weather turns too cold.

I have another pic of us with a full frontal view of Lumen, but I look even more awful than this one, so this is the one you get. People say something about a girl and her black cat. I believe it.

This was just one of two pans of zucchini poppers. Almost everyone loves them, but especially Rory, who just had a hole put in her lip and was having trouble eating. They were all gone in two days.

Speaking of Rory, she went as the Madhatter for Halloween. I had a pic of Marz at school, but her friends were in it. I have a video of Klyn too, but blogger isn't working right to post it.

To top everything off, Kevin and I went to early voting for our state. I'm trying to get the kids there for actual vote day. We'll see if they make it.

This is just some of the stuff we've been up to. I like to post for Marz to see and to keep track of what's happening. There was some talk about Marz coming home early, but I think she's changed her mind. Otherwise, Kevin and I are almost empty nesters with hardly any kids around in the evenings because they all work night shifts. It's a good thing we like each other. :)

Friday, October 16, 2026

Three Week Update

Eventually I'll have to stop referring to time based on how long Marz has been gone. (BM/AM) Just play along for a couple years. ;) I think it's funny that people ask how I am without her here. Everyone was worried about what I would do with my time. I actually feel more busy than when she was here! Now I have no excuse to sit and watch a Hallmark movie because Marz wants to. :(

My bestie is moving in December, so we've been trying to get together a lot for breakfasts and such. She giving me lots of stuff because she's not taking it with her, so stay tuned for that, if I ever finish projects around here. It's sad, but I'm so happy for her at the same time because I think she's going to be a lot happier too.

I tried a new aquatic class at the gym. It was good! I liked it, but I'm going to try other ones to see how they are too. I needed something that wasn't so hard on my joints, and water it is! My new "friends" in class said that's why they take the water classes too. They gave me the scoop on what equipment to use and such. At the end of the class, I did my locker combo wrong, so I had to call the front desk to send someone to unlock my locker. I was embarrassed at first, but then every lady in the locker room told me how they had done it too. Even the lady that unlocked my locker had trouble trying to show me how to work it! I'm hoping to try a couple more classes, and then get into a routine with the ones I like.

Kevin has been coming in clutch since Marz has been gone. We do just about everything together except for when he's at work. We used to spend this much time together before, but we always had Marz with us. Now that she's not, it's definitely different and sometimes sad when we talk about what she would've done in a situation and such.

The other kids have been coming and going. I have hardly seen or talked to Klyn for a bit. I think she likes her new job! That's always good. Logan comes home every weekend except for when he's visiting his girlfriend. Rory is a workaholic! She's definitely paving the way for moving out soon. She might be out as soon as the end of the year too!

Enough of this talk, let's see some pics!

Kevin's buddy had a baby! We're gifting one of Nana's homemade blankets for him.

Marz was having a rough day, and with Klyn's help, I was able to send her MacDonald's through Doordash. It was my first time! Marz said she loved it! I don't think her roommates eat it or want to spend the money on it. That's why she hasn't had any since she's been gone.

Even Logan's girlfriend can't escape one of my bracelets. Haha!

Speaking of bracelets, I have a new clipboard holder. It comes in the shape of a cat. Lumen didn't mind at all that I balanced the clipboard on her while she took a nap on my legs. Crazy cat!

This is an awful pic of me, but for the sake of the blog, here you go! My mom sometimes says, "let's go to lunch!" When I'm not on the wagon, it's a lot easier. We FEASTED this day!

I take pics of all the things that remind me of Marz, so I can send them to her since she would normally be with me to see them. This was a pet bed. I was trying to find something warmer for the cats for winter.

A plague is still upon my house!

I write notes for Kevin everyday for his lunch pail. Marz left some of her colored pens, and I tried one. I normally try to do different color combos for his notes, and I LOVE this one. Of course I had to send it to Marz, so she could see.

Kevin and I had to do a Costco run, and I said it would be funner if we got our Christmas paper too. I sent this pic to ~~Marz~~ the kids to see what ~~she~~ they liked. You can't see them too well, but the ~~Marz~~ kids picked the second, and Kevin and I picked the fourth.

Stay tuned for next time. Kevin and I are headed out for our anniversary. I'm sure there will be plenty of pics and stories!

Sunday, October 4, 2026

The Aftermath

It's been one week since we dropped Marz off. I'm ok because I keep pretending she's at camp. There's also no shortage of action around here. Marz seems to be doing great, and we talk everyday. I'm sure that will wear off at some point, but I love it. Pic of the drop...

I'm sad I didn't get one of me hugging her when we were leaving. I guess I can do that after she comes back for break and when she leaves again, but still. When we were there, we went to a JC Penney and saw Christmas jammies I wanted. We got back and hit the stores. We went to more than one because our JC Penneys don't have all the options as Marz's did. Boo. We ended up deciding on these.

We took a vote, so this is what we got. People are not a fan of the long sleeves but at least the pants have pockets this year. Only the girls wear their pants again though, but it was one of the boys wanting pockets. <EYEROLL>

My mom and I went to my dad's grave when I got back. We missed the actual anniversary, so we went late. It was still good and probably better because it wasn't so hot.

I liked these flowers because they had Redskin colors and a pop of blue which was his favorite color. My mom is talking about order the headstone next time we go, so that'll be good.

Before Marz left I learned how to make a new friendship bracelet pattern. I made a rainbow one for Marz, but I didn't get a pic of it. I've been making them left and right. I think I find them calming or they occupy my mind. Anyway, I was asking for opinions of colors, and Kevin mentioned a red, white, and blue one. I didn't set out to make one, but I picked those colors for one of them and ended up giving it to him. I think only Logan doesn't have one, but I don't think he'd wear it.

***VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED***

I was home and trying to get a quick breakfast the other morning. Rory was up talking to me, so I was a bit distracted in making my bowl of cereal. I sat at the table, munching away and talking to Rory. She left, and I picked up my book to read, all while still eating. I finally looked down at my bowl of cereal and saw not one, not two, but THREE dead bugs in my cereal. (pausing to allow for gags) I tossed the rest of the cereal down the drain and left because I had to go to my mom's. She told me to clean out my pantry because I probably had pantry bugs. I'm going to spare the details, but I did, in fact, have pantry bugs. The pantry needed cleaning out anyway, but ugh, it was DISGUSTING. The bugs weren't "everywhere" but they weren't just in the cereal box either. We've had the pantry cleaned out and open for a few days now before we move stuff back in. I threw away almost every dry product that wasn't sealed. Kevin found two bugs yesterday morning, and since then nothing. If we get through the whole day today without seeing any, I'll put the pasta sauce back in since that's basically all we have left to put in there. I have to get all new dry goods, and I'm getting sealed containers to put everything in. Now I know, right? Regular cleaning of the pantry is a necessity.

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for the distraction of Marz not being here, but a plague? No thank you!

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Day Before Departure Daybook

Outside my window...

It's raining today. The weather must know my feelings too. :( It's dark and dreary. The kind of weather that makes you want to curl up on the sofa with a blanket and watch movies all day, with your family.

I am thankful for...

My family. I'm grateful for the time I've had with each one, and I'm trying to make that my focus. My husband who works so hard to make sure we can do all the things.

I am thinking about...

Retirement, the next phase of my life, reinventing myself.

In the schoolroom...

...

From the kitchen...

Kevin and I are on the wagon for now until we leave tomorrow. It's so hard to wagon when you're traveling. I think about the RV trip, and how I was AIP on that trip, and then I think about how much less energy I have than those days. Hopefully getting back to the gym is in our future.

I am creating...

glassy things? Trying to get back to the glassing. Otherwise, I'm creating a new life pretty much.

I am working on...

letting go. It's a hard one, and I don't think I'll be done any time soon. Also see above about the reinventing myself. It's a lot of work.

I am reading...

Courtney Walsh. She's a new author I have found that writes romance without smut. This is where I'm at in life. I am EATING up her books, so much so, that I'm reading Christmas ones already just to get more of them. I'm probably using her stories to get out of my real life which is hard right now.

I am praying for...

My children in all their different journeys in life right now, and Kevin and I being forced into our own journey too.

I am hearing...

the dryer and the animals. Nothing much happening here at 10a.

Around the house...

I was going to redesign things and such, but I'm not going to. I'm trying to deep clean, get rid of things, keep myself busy.

One of my favorite things...

some friendships that are keeping me sane. I've got some people that really try to get me out and about and doing things, even if it's just Mass and breakfast.

A few plans for the rest of the week...

Moving Mar to school. She's going to be the farthest than any of the others have gone to school. Hopefully the plane ride goes better this time than last when we went to visit the school. She fainted, threw up, and then got drenched in ice water. Here's praying for no problems or issues, and a good good-bye.

I don't want to forget...

Anything. Trying to soak up all these moments.

A picture thought...

Learning to let go

Saturday, September 5, 2026

The Last Melon

Guess what?! The last and youngest has turned 18! It's hard to believe. Almost as hard as it is that she'll be leaving for college across the country at the end of the month. Let's not talk about that.

We started the day with streamers, Mass, and breakfast. We had cake and presents at my mom's, but I only got a picture on BeReal and not an actual photo. After that we went ice skating. Marz has been asking to go ice skating for a while, and we haven't gone. I don't think she enjoyed it much. I think she'll like it better a couple times in. Today was hard. Kevin and K'lyn were skating circles around the rest of us. I bet if Rory could've be able to go, she would've skated circles too. Rory was able to join us for dinner. They forgot Kevin's meal, so we got it free, and they got it out as fast as they could. I didn't get a photo of everyone at dinner. :( Festivities continue tomorrow.

Happy Birthday, Marley! I love you bunches!