Another Trip Around the Sun

I want to say, “Thank You” for all of the birthday love and wishes I received this week! Each of you are special to me in one way or another and I appreciate your thoughtfulness! As we get older, it’s hard to not think about the previous 365 days and all that happened. What times were the best, what moments were the worst, the accomplishments, the personal growth and the things we may or may not have achieved but strived for. 

Looking back…

When I think back on the previous 365 days, my mind goes straight back to the months of October and November of ‘24 and the absolutely horrible ordeal I went through. What started out as picking up some sticks in the yard quickly turned into not being able to walk. Within a week the pain was unbearable and I finally went to the ER. The ER Doc said it was a “pinched nerve” and prescribed some meds. Three weeks later as the pain intensified an MRI revealed that my so called “pinched nerve” was actually five herniated discs, a couple that were bulging and fragments broken off that were touching my sciatic nerve. Up until that beautiful October day I had never really experienced any kind of back pain. I guess we’ll say that those sticks were the straw that broke the camels back. There was absolutely nothing I could do to relieve the pain. Flat on my back from before my birthday up until the beginning of December when I finally received a couple epidural injections.

I cannot tell you how freaking proud I was of my husband and Jack. They both stepped up so much and were at my beck and call 24/7. It was almost as terrible on them as it was for me.  I survived on ice packs, heating pads, pain pills and muscle relaxers. They both took turns helping me sit up, stand, get to the walker, get to the bathroom, adjust my pillows and so much more. Scott had to take care of me in ways he never dreamed were possible and he was truly amazing. My Mom and my Grandma Irene came over every few days with dinner, my wonderful Mother-in-Law came over a couple times a week to visit and do my laundry. I had slumber parties with my cousins and my baby sister and so many of my friends and friends spoiled me rotten. It was a terrible time and I didn’t want anyone to see me in that state. I was spoiled with food, gifts, flowers, milkshakes, a pedicure, people brushing my hair and even the best homemade chocolate chip cookies. It was the worst time of my life hands down, but the love I felt was out of this world.

I had the sunrises and sunsets memorized out my bedroom window. I would lay awake tossing and turning before the sun rose and watch the colors change and brighten. I was so bored that I began taking pictures of the sunrise and sunsets each day so I could see how they changed. I had every flaw in the plaster walls of my old house memorized and I knew how many steps it was to the bathroom. I survived it and thankfully have not had a flare up since the epidural. 

Then…..

About three weeks before my ordeal, my cousin had been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. I already had another close friend ferociously fighting cancer and I could not cope with another. My cousin was too sick to visit me and I couldn’t visit him. He was finally able to come over and I remember we napped together because we were both miserable and needed rest. I can remember how often I would find myself laying awake and he’d cross my mind. I would bawl like a grieving widow thinking about how I was going to live without him. He made me more adventurous, made me think outside the box. Of course he made me eat weeds too so I could learn which ones I could survive on if I needed to. Well, guess who is still here 14 months after his diagnosis? Praise God for that! Both my special people are continuing to fight their cancer battles!

Cousins.

Picking up speed…

When I think about the good times I had the past 365 days, I think about all the laughter filled moments with the friends who are family and the family that are friends. I think about the new puppies in the family, the most beautiful weddings we’ve celebrated, Jack and my niece Sydney both graduating from high school, the graduation parties, birthday celebrations, wedding and bridal showers and the new babies we’ve welcomed into the family. That’s what makes life special and gives meaning and purpose to the ordinary. I am beyond blessed with amazing friendships and the love and support of a very large family. My cousins are way better than yours and I can’t apologize for that. 

Some of my girls. Josie is one of my favorites, she’s the sweetest ever.

My sister Melissa with her wonderful BF Ryan and children Sydney and little Ryan.

Butler County Cattlemen’s Born and Raised Show at the Butler Co. Fair.

Chris and Tj finally made it official, and my heart couldn’t have been more happy.

Another beautiful view.

Family celebrating Chris and Tj at The Hueston Woods Lodge.

Me with this cutie pie Emmet, my cousin Lainey and her husband Jacob’s son.

Emily with baby Emmett. She will be the best mother someday.

My cousin Kyle and his wife Pam’s second daughter, Rebekah.

With our favs at Peyton and Elizabeth’s wedding.

Jack’s cat Bella.

Good times…..

I’m thankful for another successful winter vacation to Key West (January ‘25) with my most favorite families and the fun times we had. We explored, relaxed, ate amazing food, celebrated a birthday for a special girl, swam, had heartfelt conversations, watched Wicked together, laughed uncontrollably and the best part was they toured The Hemingway House with me to see the six toed cats! It was incredible! It was just what my heart, mind and body needed to survive a crappy, cold Ohio winter. 

Life has a funny way of working out…..

We all have those moments in our lives that stand out to us. The ones that make us want to do and be more. Those are the things that matter. Spending time with people that are important to you. You can’t put a price tag on memories. Do more of what makes you happy! Plan a vacation, heck, just plan a dinner or lunch. Go to the movies, go on a date, call a friend. Whoever comes to your mind when you read this, send them a card or even a text to let them know you’re thinking about them. Do it for me.

Some of my favorite moments of the last 365 days…

“Love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

It has been an amazing year for real estate. I’m just beginning my 23rd year as a Realtor and I still love it as much as I did back then. Having a career that doesn’t feel like work really does make life better. It still holds its fair share of stresses and a lot of f-words from time to time, but that’s to be expected. People are either making their largest purchase or they’re selling their largest asset and often times these people don’t see eye to eye. It can be very stressful for them and I’m thankful I can be a mediator for adults. If we didn’t have Realtors we’d have a lot more people getting beat up in dark alleys and transactions would not make it to the closing table nearly as often. We are the peacekeepers even when we want to kick and scream ourselves. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some wonderful people this year and even when it took a while to find them the perfect house, we never gave up. I’ve never wanted anyone to buy a home they didn’t truly love or see a vision for and I never wanted them to settle. With that oftentimes comes lots and lots of showings. The good thing is, the more time I get to spend with them the more our relationship grows. And, that’s what matters. They trust me to walk them through the process and in return they become a friend and a fan for life. 

Still living the dream….

My husbands side chick is still around and she’s a lot to handle some days. She’s been in our lives for a while now so we are adjusting, she’s just so damn expensive. I wish she just asked him for a new Etienne Aigner hangbag now and then but the stuff she always needs is so more expensive than a freaking purse. When she wants something or needs something it’s like she wanted it yesterday. She always comes first in our relationship and unfortunately I’ve gotta help support her too. If my money was play money it’d be so much more exciting! When I first found out about her I was like, “OK, I guess I can live with it.” I knew it would be a lot of work trying to keep up with her and being in second place isn’t always easy but second place is better than third place. She’s needy AF, asks for way more than I’d ever dream of asking for or even wanting and she’s never content. Moo’re and moo’re. He just can’t let her down and I get it. He can’t cut her off as much as he’d like to some days. She’s also a single mom with a lot, and I mean a lot of mouths to feed. And those mouths are not quiet. They’re pretty demanding at times. And by her, I mean the farm. Yep, she’s the side chick in our relationship. The one who gets way more of his time, a lot more of his attention and definitely requires a lot more money than I do.

 Our cattle are still one of the best parts of my life. I’ll never get tired of watching them and talking to them. They’re my Girls (and boys). Our new cattle barn is still progressing. It’s about 89% complete and I cannot wait until the automatic waterers are installed, new gates put up and all the dirt is put back where it belongs. It’ll be a much better life for the cows to have an actual roof over their heads from this winter on. No more calving in the rain and snow. 

Here’s to year 47…

All this to say, Thank You for the birthday wishes! Here’s to wishing, hoping and praying my next trip around the sun is full of only great times, good health, meaningful relationships and prosperity in all things. Here’s to year 47. May the worst times be behind us all and the best times be yet to come! ❤️Katie