Corie's Vista Graduation

This actually took place on Wednesday, but I wasn't able to upload the photos until now.

My baby sister, Corie-Oreo, has officially graduated from Vista! It's basically a "post high school" program for kids with special needs; they go to this school for four years (starting at age 18, ending at age 22) and that's when they get their high school diploma. It's also a work training facility, helping special needs kids become more independent, more familiar with technology, develop better communication skills and better manners, and all that jazz.

Both my brothers also attended Vista, so this means Corie is the last one.

Unfortunately, Mom couldn't be with us that night (Grandpa had a medical emergency, and while he was in good hands, Mom needed to be with Grandma more than anything else, since Grandma can't function on her own anymore), but Christine filled in for her, and of course, we both put our phone cameras to good use!

And tonight, we will have that celebratory dinner, with Christine joining us once again. Just for the record, Corie has opted for dinner from Wendy's.

Kids and Unicorns

Time for a happy post!

I like kids and I like unicorns, so both make for a lovely combo. Today, the most adorable little girl came into my work with her mom and younger brother. She was wearing this super-cute unicorn cap, which I just had to compliment. Her mom told me it was for a friend's "unicorn-themed" birthday party she would be going to later that day.

Naturally, I had to tell the girl that unicorns were awesome and my most favorite fantasy creature. You should have seen her face; it was as if she had just won a million dollars or a lifetime supply of ice cream. I also told her I liked dragons, mermaids, and Pegasus, and she got excited at the mention of mermaids, too. She even told me flat out, "Unicorns are real!"

While I made sure to keep my focus on their order (and my job), I mentioned I was working on some unicorn stories and a unicorn coloring book of my very own, and we would "see what happens." Her mom was impressed, and at least twice, I leaned over the counter for a high-five.

Even now, I'm getting warm fuzzies just thinking about it.

Grandma and Grandpa's House

My maternal grandparents (my only surviving grandparents) have not been doing well lately. They've both shown their age for quite some time, but within these last couple of years, they have all but plummeted downhill.

It's gotten to the point where they're no longer safe in their own house. Just a month ago, Grandpa had an awful fall that resulted in a broken pelvis and several cracked ribs. He seems to be mending okay, but even before this happened to him, he's in his 90s, he can no longer stand up straight, his eyesight is just about gone, and he's needed a cane to get around. And Grandma has battled cancer twice and was recently diagnosed with dementia.

Needless to say, Mom and her siblings are worried sick. 

For now, Grandpa's staying in a rehabilitation center while my aunt and uncles take turns staying with Grandma. Since Grandma can't function on her own, and since it's becoming increasingly obvious that neither she nor Grandpa will ever be the same, there's been serious talk of selling their house. The house has been in the family for 60 years; Mom lived there since she was three. It won't be easy letting that house go, and one family member (I won't say who) had the audacity to ask for that house today, which puts a sickening knot in my stomach.

Furthermore, neither Grandma nor Grandpa will give up their independence without a fight. They're both adamant about staying where they are as long as possible, and Grandpa is not happy about where he's staying now. I can only imagine his reaction if he learned about the plans for his house, even though nothing is set in stone yet.

I know it's just a house. Still, that house holds a lot of memories (we spent a lot of Thanksgivings, Christmases, and Sunday dinners there) and as much as I hate seeing Grandma and Grandpa old and frail and hurting, I will definitely miss them when they go. The only comfort I draw is that Dad will be there to greet them. He was as much their son as Mom is their daughter and I'm sure it was a great shock when they learned of his sudden passing. At least they'll see him again, talk to him, and hug him a lot sooner than I will.

Dixie

Got some sad news today. Dixie, my cousin's dog whom I would dog-sit from time to time, has passed away from a tumor.

I always wanted a dog, but my folks, especially my dad, said no way. As much as I love Butterscotch, I'd have cats and dogs if I could. It's still on my bucket list to own a dog someday, even though it's not going to happen anytime soon. So, looking after Chris and Amber's dogs was the next best thing, and Dixie just had that way of growing on you despite her nutty antics.

She was a big girl, but thankfully her bark was worse than her bite...most of the time. She could never get enough treats (she and Chip would always steal from each other when I fed them Beggin' Bits), she would often beg at mealtime (so I made sure to fill her bowl first and eat my meals at the out-of-reach kitchen island), and she would even more often try to climb on top of me while I relaxed in a chair or couch and I had to keep pushing her to the floor. "Yeah, I love you, too, but you're much too big for a lap dog!"

Above all, she could never get enough petting. She'd go so far as to nudge old Chip out of the way, as if to say, "Why are you petting him? Pet me instead! Pet only me!" Sometimes I'd sit with her in the living room or kitchen and just give her loves all over, and every time I stopped, she shoved her big head under my palm and "made" me love her some more.

According to Amber, all of the animals came from abusive households, so that was why they soaked up all the love they could get.

At the very least, Dixie got to spend the rest of her life in a warm, safe, loving home, pampered and sheltered to the end.

I'll miss that lovable goofball.