A YEAR ... and many (more) changes ...

Hello all ...
   It's a been a million and one minutes since I last posted.   Life has a way doing that sometimes.  In my case, it's been for the best. Life had taken a toll on this old lady.  It was time to regroup.  After the ol' divorce, losing my job, and with the cost of living in a beloved city that wasn't "beloving" me financially, I decided to circle the wagons and head back to home base:  South Carolina. 
   In August, we made the LONG-ASS trip back home.  And let me tell you, it was quite the trip.  Our beloved Matthew rallied and was with us the entire 3,000 miles. To say it was a circus for which we should have charged admittance is an understatement.  Silas and Matthew in a U-Haul.  The HUGE dogs, my cat, and me in my jacked-up Honda Civic.  We skirted tornadoes, met WAY too many people that your soul should never witness, served by drunken Vietnam Vets, decided we weren't fans of Utah,  Silas' "awe Mama, look 'langerreee'", and slept in bathtubs when one (me) snored too loudly. 
  Fast forward to life on the farm now.  We have settled in wonderfully.  Miss our Seattle family and life there.  But, there is a certain something about being able to go out in our own forest, our own pasture and play.  And, play we do.  Either on the four-wheeler, or heading out into absolutely NOWHERE.  It's ALWAYS an adventure.  Having family so close and active in Silas' life is enormously helpful and joyful.  His Nonnie, aunts, uncles, family friends, etc. are CONSTANT figures.  It's been fabulous.  He's a regular rock star in this tiny town.  He has been so thrilled to be here and experience life as I knew it, growing up.  He is excelling at school so much that he's, yet again, being tested for gifted and talented classes.
  I've settled into substitute teaching.  Laugh, as you may, I can tell you that I will ROCK the head coach position at particular schools ... it's only because I make the athletes laugh at my ignorance.  But, I have a damned fine red-neck whistle that turns heads ... they know I mean business.  Even if I happen to be wearing heels that day.  There asses stop and LISTEN!
  On a more serious note ... the MOST important note from Silas and myself.  Kevin, his daddy, is not doing well right now.  After having a tooth infection go septic, he's been hospitalized for nearly two weeks now.  The infection has spread to the neck, chest, lungs, and heart.  I mention this at the end of this blog, as I hope this leaves everyone with the lasting thoughts of this blog.  He is on a ventilator and in ICU.  He continues to have daily surgeries, after having his sternum broken open, to debreed his chest of all infection. It's a day-to-day sort of thing, as the infection is a bit sneaky. Daily surgeries insure that the boarders are clean of all infection.  Though the distance is hard for me, his Mama and his dear friend Shelly are keeping us updated, as are the nurses.  Everyone is  rallying and Silas and I are in contact with everyone, daily, about his status.  PLEASE, PLEASE keep him in your hearts, prayers, mantras, etc.  Today, he seemed to be more conscience of what was going on around him.  Good sign. 
  Sometimes "baby steps" are more brilliant than ANYTHING.  We hold him in our hearts.

xoxo,
Anna
p.s. Thank you Shelly for being there, daily, for Kevin.  You're an amazing friend to him and us all.