Life At My House

I Just Hate It

2012-01-15T09:38:00.000-06:00

So many ladies leaving the blog world and I hate it! I really hate FB and I go there less and less.. I love reading the blogs and interacting with the ladies and reading about your day to day and what life is like around your house... I am not leaving, that is for sure.... and if you no longer blog please come to see me now and then..

I have been going back to when I first opened my blog and reading posts and comments and makes me sad... so many of the gals have not posted in many many months.... I guess I am going to clean out my blog list and try and keep in touch via email....

Anyway, just my thoughts.... How about you, which do you prefer?

Well, we are still remodling my shop. Two weeks now.... I am tired of it now... going to finish today I hope.... I have created my brother another new website and hope to get it up on the web in the next week or so...

I thinking about retiring AGAIN.... I just have things want to do and having my shop open 5 days a week keeps me tied down.... I turn 65 in March and I just think it is time for me to stop.. I want to put in a big flower garden and also a veggie garden this year.. that will keep me pretty busy I am sure.... Money.... I hate it.. it keeps us from our dreams....

Anyway... I am tossing it around in my mind.... My new shope and the changes that I have made is going to make is so nice for me to create my dolls and stitcheries to sell on my web site...
I am also so into the raw food and would like to give that more time..... So many ideas so little time.....

What about you.... what are you up to these days.... are you following your dream? I hope so...

Have a blessed Sunday....

Heaven

2012-01-04T13:59:00.009-06:00

I love this..........

When I am in heaven tell me there will be peace....at last
That in some meadow, filled with sunshine, filled with buttercups and filled with friends, you will sit and chew a straw and fill us in on how things really are............

And if there is some harm in laying earthly hope at heavens door
or in this just saying so,well, have mercy on my foolishness dear Lord.
I love this world you made, it's all I know.........

No ! A Thousand Times No

2012-01-01T02:15:00.000-06:00

no
nope/nopperz
heh
umm/uh...
eh...
yeah, right/(sarcastic) yeah, ok
zip
zilch
nada
(sarcastic) sure....
hell naw!
nein (german for no)
nyet (russian for no)
iie (eee-yeh) (japanese for no)

absolutely not,
by no means,
negative,
never, nix,
no way,
not at all,
not by any means
Over my dead body
Not on your life..
Don't even think about it

Ok...... get the picture........ I am too old to make any more resolutions. Not going to do it.. I fail and I fail miserably.. sooooooooooo not going to put my self through that............ BUT what I am going to do is give my frail pathetic weak sorrowful will power over .............. to HIM I give over my will to HIS power and what ever HE has for me in 2012.......... I am ready...........

Looking forward gals......... always looking forward........ Looking to HIM the author and finisher of our faith.........

I think I will spend more time here this year..... I have really missed you...
Happy New Year gals............

Happy New Year

2011-12-29T22:17:00.000-06:00

From my house to yours.

Wishing you a New Year full with what brings you joy and laughter. With family and friends near. I wish you health and happiness and I wish you Jesus..

Should old acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should old acquaintance be forgot,

And auld lang syne!

The new year brings us hope for peace,

A new day for mankind,

Where we can all live hand in hand

And leave all hate behind.

For auld lang syne, my dear.

For auld lang syne.

We'll take a cup of kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

When dreams they seem so far away,

Your soul can feel so low.

But love is never far away;

Your heart won't be alone.

Let's make a world where people care,

A world that knows no fear,

Where we can open up our hearts

And hold each other dear.

Our children grow, they need to know

The Future's theirs to hold.

If we can teach them how to love

Then the world can carry on.

For auld lang syne, my dear.

For auld lang syne.

We'll take a cup of kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

Hallelujah

2011-12-15T00:43:00.001-06:00

HALLELUJAH!

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah

The kingdom of this world;

is become

the kingdom of our Lord,

and of His Christ

And He shall reign for ever and ever

And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings forever and ever

hallelujah hallelujah

and lord of lords forever and

ever hallelujah hallelujah

King of kings forever and ever

hallelujah hallelujah

and lord of lords forever and

ever hallelujah hallelujah

King of kings forever and ever

hallelujah hallelujah

and lord of lords

King of kings and lord of lords

And he shall reign

He shall reign

And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings forever and ever

and lord of lords hallelujah hallelujah

And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings and lord of lords

And he shall reign forever and ever

Forever and ever and ever and ever

King of kings and Lord of Llords

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah

Great Day

2011-12-11T00:24:00.000-06:00

Girls,

It was a great day at my house last Saturday.. a great day... I am waiting on my son to send me some pictures. He took all the pictures and I need to remind him to send them to me..

It was a crazy fast day and one that I wish had lasted a bit longer but how it thrilled my heart to have my family together... There were some missing and I hope that next year they will be able to be here.. I have waited for this day for so many years.

There are things that have been lost in all those years apart and I understand that they cannot be retrieved, but I can rejoice in the knowing that me and my son Darryl has been reunited and I know that from this day forward we will not look back at the lost years. It was a joy to my heart to see him sitting around my table laughing and talking with his brother Chris, his uncles Paul and Larry and it was though all time had ceased and life was good. Two of the three grandchildren were there. Blake and Bren. The older grandson had finals this week and he just could not make it, but maybe next year. There were many highlight of the day as you can imagine but there is one that I have to share.....

We were all standing around talking and my grandson Blake called me grand mom. Grand mom.. I have waited many many years to hear that.. It almost made me cry... He is a senior in high school and I have missed his life but never the less, he called me grandma. That was the highlight of the day... You grandmothers out there will understand that...

Things are much slower here now and my sweet husband has been sick with the flu since Wednesday.. We are looking forward to a very quiet Christmas and that is fine. One big get together each year is good enough for me.. I think me and hubby and brother and SIL are going to do some traveling during the Christmas season from now on.. That will be fun...

Well, I wish I had some picture to share but as soon as they are sent to me, I will post them...

Hope all is well and each of you are getting ready to celebrate HIS birth... after all HE is the reason for ALL seasons..

Sooooooooooo Excited

2011-12-01T00:29:00.000-06:00

Well girls.... just three more days and both my boys and both my brothers and my grandchildren will be in my home for Thanksgiving/Christmas.. I am EXCITED more than I can tell you..... This will be the first of many holidays that I can spend with my sons. I cannot tell you how excited I am and very very Thankful....... I am so busy..... too busy I think, but I will finish up everything tomorrow and Friday I will cook and they will be here Saturday at noon........... OMG both my boys both my brothers and their wives, my sweet husband and cousins Tisha and Harold.. (that is a lot of people) Hope I have not forgotten how to cook for that many.. :) ...... OMG......... God is good so very very good... I did not think this day would ever come I promise to take pictures......... Talk to you next week!

Giving Thanks

2011-11-22T13:23:00.003-06:00

Hard to imagine that Thanksgiving is on our doorsteps again... I just have no idea where this year went.

I hope you gals do not get tired of listening to me talk about Mom and Dad but it is told me that it is good for healing. I think that is the truth. My sweet husband has been my listener for 16 months now . Even saying that is hard for my mind to comprehend. 16 for Dad and 14 for Mom. I can say this with all sincerity that it does get better. I have a wonderful friend that is also a counselor and she says 18 months is very common for the grieving process. That is true.

My memories of those two little people have gone from the mistakes that I made while taking care of them to the wonderful times throughout my entire life that they were there for me. My memories of them while sitting here at home alone has brought smiles and out right laughter with no one to hear but me and perhaps them but I think not. Of course the Father God has shared those memories with me and I think that HE smiled just to see or here me laugh.

Have you ever given any thought to how the heart heals? I mean really give it some thought. I have. Twice in my life I have been cut to the spirit and all life seemly drained from my body. Twice in my life being broken would be an understatement and twice in my life I seemed to be broken beyond repair. In those times I just did not see the value of tomorrow and really did not believe that tomorrow would bring anything but yet again much sorrow. BUT tomorrow came and with it healing.

I have once again this past year given much thought to the wonders of this God that we serve. The heart, it can be broken but with no wounds for the eye of man to see only God. It breaks and it bleeds out and yet we continue to breath and yet we only breath but we do not do much living. Grief and sorrow are visible on our face and our countenance shows the world that the invisible fissures of the heart are just below the skin and bone in this body of our. We grieve.

I really had no understand of the magnitude of grief until I experienced it first hand. It is not something that is expressed with any words I know, maybe you do but I find it impossible to express.. What does the bible say... with groanings that cannot be uttered. There it is.. How smart is our God. HE understands our groanings. Not for the ear of any man to understand, only groans, but to the Father God it is grief and sorrow given over to words that only HE hears. Then the healing begins.

Healed in my heart and wounds replaced with laughter. How in the world does HE do that. Groaning for a season has ended and now words of Thanksgiving have replace the sobs and tears. My heart where God resides they say. My heart that feels sorrow and pain and joy and laughter. Invisible to the human eye are the scars of many a wound yet HE sees and understands. It is a strange thing this "heart" of ours that only the Father God can reach. There are no scalpels or lasers or x-rays or any other human effort can touch and heal a heart. Only God. I am thankful that HE is here and HE is able to do such a thing. I am thankful.

Our Thanksgiving is going to on Sunday this years because of scheduling problems getting every one here but it is going to be very special for me. Both brothers will be here and it has been years since one of them could be here...... Of course Chris and his sweetie Tara will be here. HOWEVER there is one other things that has my heart jumping with joy.... My oldest son will be here with my three grandchildren.OMG It will be the first time that he has celebrated a Thanksgiving with me in many many many years and I am THANKFUL. Once again the Father God has wiped away those tears of the years lost and replaced them sounds of laughter of the good times. That is the God we serve.

I give thanks today for my sweet husband Dennis where would I be had it not been for the patience he has afforded me this past 16 months. He has been the ear to listen to my sorrow, and he has been patient, he is a gift from God. I give thanks today for my son Chris that has been a stead fast presence in my life for many many years and has made me laugh more times that I can count, he does not just bring joy to my heart, he is joy. I am thankful for my son Darryl, it has been a long road back to where he and I have needed to be and he is happy to walk that path with me. I give thanks for the two older brothers, each so very different but each so very very special in my life. we are very close and I am thankful that they are a big part of my life. There is still a missing part to this family but I am believing God that those wounds will heal and forgiveness will take the place of her hate and her heart will begin the healing process.

Then I give thanks to my Father God. Always there regardless if I feel that or not. Always there to bring healing and comfort. Always there to listen and bring guidance, Always there in the good times and always in the bad, Never judging, only loving, always understanding even when we are so very very foolish in word or deed. HE is steadfast and faithful and that my friend is something that we each and every one should be most thankful for this Thanksgiving season.

Happy Thanksgiving Mom and Dad, I know you are well and happy and enjoying the fruits of your faith. I am guessing that the feasts that you enjoy overshadow the feasts here in homes across this land like light overshadows darkness. While we enjoy our feasts here on this earth we wait patiently and sometimes not so patient to feast once again with you in a place that knows no grief or sorrow, only laughter and hearts that are healed and whole and full of joy unspeakable. Love you both a lot..........

Happy Thanksgiving girls! I am so glad to call you friends......
Thanks for letting me bend your ear one more time to talk about Mom and Dad. I needed to share these feelings.

What a year........

2011-11-09T22:15:00.000-06:00

Now we get to add earthquakes to our list of things that have been blasting Oklahoma this year....... Earthquakes......... what a trip that was....... I felt all three of them and the third one just unnerved me. That was three days in a row... Then the NEXT day, strong storms and a violent tornado with flash flooding and baseball size hail across the state. Our weather radio woke us up on Monday night at 12 midnight with flash flood warning. Kinda hard to get away from that as well as an earthquake. Whew! I am ready for a nice quiet winter with some snow and cold snuggling weather.

We are still so busy painting the outside of the house and my sweet husband has made some beautiful shutters. I will take pictures soon.

I have decided that for the next couple of months, actually through the winter I am going to go to the fitness center at the University. They have a wonderful health club and with Dennis being employed there we get a big discount. They have all the machines and treadmills and bikes and weights and people there to help and coach me on the machines. I have been out here a year and half now alone and it is time for me to get out of this house and get busy with life. Come the Spring Semister at the college I am thinking of taking a class. Not sure what but maybe something fun like pottery or something serious like Religious Debate. (My husband says that they will kick me out after the first day) I have strong opinions and I hate the word religion! hahaha.......... We will see.... I need to get out and about.

Just watched the debate. I will be glad when they begin to narrow that field down a bit. I know who I would love to see on the ballot and who I think would beat Obama but not sure if he is going to make it to the ticket or not. That is Newt Gingrich. He is very very intelligent and he would give Obama a run for his money in any debate. He has some baggage but he knows what he is talking about and he talks straight regardless of who is listening. I pray about it every day. Hope you are praying also. We need that man out of the office. We cannot afford another 4 years of Obama Nation. I like Herman Cain real well, but I am not sure he will survive this attack. It is a shame as I think he would make a wonderful president.

Well not much else going on here. Planning on a nice Thanksgiving with older brother PE and wife Alpha and son Chris and gal Tara. I think the 6 of us are going to plan some type of Christmas vacation this year instead of staying here... Not sure but we are talking Florida maybe. Who knows...

Hope you gals are all doing well, I miss my blog buddies ..

Hugs ........

Good Morning America !!!!!!!!!!!

2011-10-23T10:24:00.000-05:00

We got rain, real rain, down pouring rain. Gutter gushing, ditch runnin', cats and dogs rain. It came with thunder and lightening and bit of hail and RAIN... Not sure how much as my rain gauge is broken but my brother PE will call me here in a minute and he will share with me how much rain we got! Thank you Lord.

Now, rain on southern Texas where they are having dust storms......

I have not been here in a while. Power cord to my laptop quit and finding another one was a bit of a chore. Hubby thought he had one in his box of tricks at work, nope, could not find one here in town so we went to the only source we had left. Ebay. Yep, they had one and it must have been in China and on a slow boat here.

I still do not have one so I have slipped out into my shop to at least post a little sompin'.

I do not go much on the internet on my business computer as it holds so many design files and business information. I do not use it much at all but for work, but today was a needful thing. But no email till the laptop is running so if you have sent email to my denisewalden account and have not heard from me give me a few more days.

Hubby has been off and we are finally getting the outside of the house finished. We started painting early Spring but when the heat started we had to quit as it was too hot to do anything outside. Weather now is perfect and we still have the trim work to finish and paint the brick on the North side. People thought I was crazy when I told them I was painting the brick but now we have people stopping as they go by to give us a nod of approval. Some even wanting to know what color........ The two doors will be dark Hunter green. So many people paint their doors red so I am doing something different. The doors will match the shutters.

Sweet !!!!!!!!!!So as soon as I finish I will take pictures and let you see what we did......

Time to start putting up Christmas lights. I usually do that two weeks before Thanksgiving, so I need to drag it all out of the storage next week and get things together. I am looking forward to the holidays this year more than last. My heart is healing and I am thankful. I will take pictures when finished.

I am painting the inside of my house from front to back but have not decided on a color yet. Every room one color throughout, so when I decided on the kitchen color that will the the color for the entire house. Going to try and do that this winter. I have several projects for the winter, I need to stay on track.

I have found my mojo and feeling pretty good, I am on track with my diet and that is going well. Talked to a young man yesterday that used to weigh 285 with his cholesterol at 270. He bought a Champion juicer and started living on veggie and fruit juice and one year later he is running 50 miles a week and weight 145 with his cholesterol at 140. Now that is a success story.

Did I tell you that I found a Champion juice at a garage sale this summer for $2.00. !!! (Retail $265.00) and it works like a charm. This thing is HEAVY.

I have been praying and praying and praying about my weight and asking the Lord to please help me. Finding that juicer I think is part of HIS answer.

While talking to this young man he told me about soft serve ice-cream made with my juicer! I gave it a try last night while watching the third game of the world series.

2 Frozen banana's (I keep bananas in the freeze for just such occasion)
Hand full of frozen strawberries and hand full of frozen dark cherries,
I broke the bananas into 4 pieces and one into the juice with strawberries on top
of that then some cherries. I alternated them until all the bananas were used.

What I got was a delightful mixture of banana and cherry and strawberry out the other end in a perfect soft serve consistency. Frozen bananas are very sweet so I did not need to use any sweetener at all. It made enough for me and Hubby.

It was perfect. We are closet ice-cream junkies so this is a wonderful substitution with no fat, no sugar all natural. I am going to buy some frozen peaches and mango's and blueberries and blackberries and see what kind of concoctions I can come up with. Who knew you could do that with a juicer !

I juice one pound of organic carrots every day mixed with different veggies and fruit every day. I want to be 100% raw by the end of the year. Trouble is, I am a meat eater! I love meat. So right now I still have my roasted chicken and grilled salmon. We might have to keep that in our diet. I do not see me never having that again, so I am guessing that I will level out at 99% raw with the occasional piece of chicken or fish.

I am busy in my shop and business is growing. I decided a few months back that I would go back to work so to speak and help with the finances. Dennis has 6 more years before he retires and I am healthy and have this wonderful shop here in my house. Might as well work. People are hearing that I am back to work so I am getting busy. I am still working on my web site and now building my brother a new one. That is all on my agenda for this winter.

Well I think that has got you pretty caught up.

Hope you gals are enjoying the beautiful fall colors.

Hugs

Me Myself and I and a Vita Mixer

2011-10-11T22:21:00.002-05:00

Finally got rain.... a little over 3 inches...Thank you Lord....... It watered the plants and the trees look happy......Now Lord just send a bit more rain and fill up the ponds for the critters and farm animals.......

Trying to figure out my life right now is tough. I change from day to day. Finding out who I am now is something I have never faced. I am coming out of the depression and I find that I have neglected a great many things. One being my health. If anyone out there is reading this and you are a caregiver, remember to take care of your health.

Today I am ordering me a Vita-Mixer. If you do not know much about this, then Google it and read up. It is quite the machine and it will do wonders for my raw food diet that I am struggling with.......... There are a ton of recipes on the internet for raw food so this is going to be a tool to help....... one web site that I just love is

Blend It and Mend It

It has some wonderful ways to regain good health and feed the body good food. If you get a chance go and take a look around her site. You will enjoy her humor.

Had a scare the other day with Dennis...... Had to take him to the ER with right arm and leg numbness, bad headache and very high blood pressure. After many tests and one night in the hospital he checked out ok. No idea what was going on but he is now on a low dose blood pressure medicine...... You look at life so much different when health comes into the picture.

Things at the shop is getting busy and I guess that is ok..... keeps me busy. Working on the web site and updating my brothers web site and moving it to a new server. Just stuff going on here, not too much just life.

I have learned how to make my own fermented veggies and Dennis eats some every day and his acid reflux is gone. The fermented veggies are full of good probiotics. A lot of people take medicine every day to reduce the acid in their stomach but in fact there is not enough acid in your stomach thus the food is not digesting and it is rotting and causing the reflux. Anyway, the good probiotics adds back to our system what antibiotics and other medicine has striped away........ Walla ! Now our digestion is working better and no more acid reflux..

There is sooooooooo much information on the internet. Time to be proactive about our own health. This year I am changing from Mammograms to Thermography. I have been reading about the difference for over a year now, and this year am making the change.

My sister in law is recovering well and when she is able we (me and Dennis and PE and Alpha) are planning a little road trip, I am looking forward to that. Then we, the 4 of us and my son Chris is planning a Christmas trip this year instead of a big Christmas dinner. That should be fun.

Hope you gals are enjoying the beautiful colors of fall and are you making any plans for the up coming holidays?

Hugs

October !

2011-10-04T21:11:00.000-05:00

Where did THIS year go............

I am sad......

Had to cover up that pool today. It always hurts my feelings when they roll that green tarp over my blue water.....

Thank you Lord for the summer just past but please do me a favor..... turn the fire down just a bit for next summer....

This one was just a bit too hot for me....BUT I am not complaining.... you know how I love the summer......

but alas.....

Here comes winter and I will do my best to enjoy the short days and the blanket of snow that I hope we get.....

BUT

I will be watching the calendar and counting the days till that green tarp is rolled back and that beautiful blue water shimmers in the warm summer sun!

I Thank Each of You.......

2011-09-19T21:55:00.000-05:00

Thank you girls, each of you that sent emails and left comments on my post on the 15th of September. I have always tried to be real here in my blog and that is what I hoped to do with that post......

I have always believed that if we share our stories whether they be good or they be bad, others can relate and understand that they are not alone in their feelings.

I always want to be transparent and real here in the blog and talk about what hurts me and what makes me laugh or cry........

It has been a learning time for me this past year..... and the Lord has taught me many things...... HE is a loving God that cries with us when we cry and laughs with us when we laugh. HE is never angry with us and HE is patient. HE rejoices over us with song and we are the reason that HE sent HIS son Jesus........

Thanks again girls for all the sweet comments........... Love ya' each one...

In Their Honor - I Forgive Myself...

2011-09-15T12:44:00.002-05:00

Go over to Samaritan Women to read.........

In Their Honor

Changing My Blog Name

2011-09-02T22:04:00.000-05:00

I am thinking about changing the name of my blog.....

I am wanting to start showing off and selling the primitive items that I make. I have a web site about finished that I will sell a lot of embroidery files and gift items but I think I would like to turn this blog into my Sew Very Prim blog. I will share my life but then I will also share my crafts...... What ya think? I do not like change but I think that if I try to start another blog I will not get much done on any of them... I am going to start posting on my Samaritan Women blog on September 15th and the Lord has given me much to say on that blog. So, I do not want 3 blogs so do you think changing this one to the craft blog will work?

Love all of ya girls and want to get back into blogging and leave FB

...... And I think that combining my Life At My House and Sew Very Prim will work for me........ Let me know your thought and I will make the change the first of October.......

Have a safe and fun weekend.

We are going to have one last cook out and pool party before the weather changes.. The temperature are supposed to be in the upper 80's which is WONDERFUL and a few night in the 60's. The pool will cool off real quick with those temps at night and we do not have the money to heat it every day. The month of September we will heat it on Saturday and Sunday morning so we can swim on the weekends and most likely close it the first of October......

Anyway, that is what is going on at my house and having both brothers and a cousin over tomorrow will be so much fun!

Passion for Change

2011-08-29T21:07:00.000-05:00

Making changes in our lives is tough.

There is no magic wand, no fairy dust to be sprinkled over our head and no miracle pill that will change everything over night. Change comes on purpose. Sometimes as Christians we expect the Father God to just 'zap" us and walla there is change.... That does not work, I know I have spent the last 35 years of being born again testing that system.

Change is not the product of will power we all know how quickly that fades and then fails.

We have all been there. Change, something that we all desire and something that eludes us day after day after day. I say that because I stand right in the middle of my "want to". I have taken this past year since losing my mom and dad and have reevaluated my life. Mercy, when we allow the Father God to come into the darkness that we have hidden in our hearts, HE does just that and when HE begins to reveal the areas that need change, OMG. There it comes, the word change.

I have a TERRIBLE time with discipline. Terrible terrible time. There I have confessed it.

Soooooooooooooo here it is " I LOVE ice-cream......... I LOVE TV......... I have NO discipline in my life...... I need to find discipline...."

In my life now, it is a BIG deal and each day when I get up, I pray.......... Father God help me with my discipline. BUT there are days I do not pray. "Sigh"

But you know what I have learned.......

That discipline comes with passion. Once we find the passion for our lives, discipline comes right along with it. Will power will fail you but passion will drive you. In thinking that, I have changed my mind concerning discipline. Christ taught us that very well, HIS passion was for doing the will of the Father and HE followed that passion right to the cross.

So each day now I pray, God fire up the passion in me to do those things that you have called me to. Rekindle the fire that once burned in my soul. Change, yes, but it comes when passion is ignited......... It is not without sacrifice but the sacrifice comes with the passion.

Passion (from the Ancient Greek verb πάσχω (paskho) meaning to suffer) is a term applied to a very strong feeling about a person or thing. Passion is an intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm, or desire for something.

God, fire up the passion that lies within me and show me the beauty of the gifts that you have given me. I pray that with that passion change will come and in that change, I will be standing right in the middle of your will for my life.......

I pray that you find the passion that burns within your soul......

with that passion comes all the tools that you need to accomplish those things that the Father God has placed within your heart.

Fun Pictures from July 4th and Fast and Pray for rain...

2011-08-02T21:24:00.000-05:00

We have a wonderful time on the 4th. As many of you know, the Lord healed a relationship through the death of my father. My brother Larry and I had not spoken in so many years, years that we cannot get back but we have promised each other to make up for them every day! Anyway, Larry and his wife Marty and PE( older brother) and his wife Alpha, Christopher and his main squeeze Tara and my sweet husband and myself had a wonderful time on the 4th. I invited everyone over for a pool party and a hot dog!

Here are a few pictures!

This picture here is my son Chris and his sweetie hiding from the down pour under the floatie! I kept telling them to get out of the pool in case of lightening but you know how far I got with that!

We had no more than got started when it clouded up and it came a rain like the heavens were opening up! Straight down rain! No one complained and we just waited it out. It only lasted about 15 minutes but that was such a wonderful 15 minutes. It was 6 pm and the temp was 104 and after the rain shower the temp was 90. Perfect for an evening swim! The Father God knew what we needed.

THIS IS MY FAVORITE PICTURE!!!

Is this just not the cutest picture you have ever seen. The rain is coming down in sheets and my sweet husband was standing faithfully at the grill watching those hotdogs! Look at the water splashes in the pool! I am going to get this one framed!


	This is Chris and Tara again.....it was pouring on them...... seems they were just enjoying their selves! Don't really blame them, it has been so hot!

This shows the water just pouring off the house......... I wish it would rain like that again TODAY!

Bless his heart, he was a real trooper!


Aweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee they are just too cute!

Is that too cool or what! Underwater camera, I have got to have one!

Look at that face! I love that boy!

They had a good day!

I love this one....... May have to frame this one........

Larry, my sweet brother, don't you think he looks like he is having a good time?

Noodle boy!

Noodle hog! Like she really needs 4 noodles to hold her up!

That big splash is my brother PE....... Show off!

That is PE...... oops, chopped his head off........... BUT he is having a great time!

That would be my son Chris... got to hold his nose......

I love sharing my life and the things that the Father God has blessed me with. I love my family and just to sit back and watch them enjoying their day made me smile........... The hot dogs and chips were sooooooooooo tasty!

Girls and guys, pray for rain for Kansas and Oklahoma and Texas.... and any other state that you might know is in drought. We are expecting temps up to 120 next week.......... We need rain from heaven...... The Father God will answer if we pray.............

This was at 2:00 today.......... going to be hotter tomorrow.......... Time to get serious and fast and pray...

So Depressed....THEN......

2011-07-13T09:07:00.000-05:00

I was so depressed the other day, we were out in the pool and I told my husband that I had no idea what was wrong with me. I am NEVER bored, lots to do and my time is my own. So why in the world would I be feeling depressed!

THEN, my quiet husband said......... I think we are not grateful enough for what the Lord has done in our lives and we do not thank HIM near enough!

THERE

it was! The secret to real joy in our lives, inner joy, not the joy that can wash off, is gratitude! An attitude of gratitude is where we should live.

I am

reading that book "on thousand gifts" by Ann Voskamp. I need to read it a bit more slowly, maybe start at the beginning again. It is the job of the enemy to pull our focus onto the things that we do not have and it is the job of the Holy Spirit to bring our focus on to the blessings.

Oh Lord

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:7

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalms 121:1

Oh Lord

Help me to keep my eyes like a flint turned toward you from whence cometh my help.

Have a blessed day girls....... it is still so hot here..... no break in sight.. BUT I will turn my eyes........

Oh My Gosh !

2011-07-08T10:48:00.001-05:00

Oh my gosh!

What was I doing when praying for summer to get here......... Be careful what you pray for! haha

That forecast is for Oklahoma City and we are about 4-5 degrees hotter....... It was 112 in the shade in my back yard yesterday. I don't know for sure but I think this is into our 3rd week of over 100!

Pray for rain for southern Oklahoma... and Texas panhandle...!!!

July 9th - 15th

Ours will be 107- 111.......

This needs to end.... Lord........

July 8-14th

One Year Today

2011-07-02T03:19:00.003-05:00

One Year Today

Today is one year since I lost my Dad. After two long weeks in the hospital he slipped away at 4:20 am on July 2nd. 2010 Where in the world did this year go.

I had been by his side for the entire two weeks and if I would leave the room he would begin to call out my name. My sweet sister in law Alpha told me that even when we thought he had slipped into a coma, he would call out for me.

The Lord has taught me a great many things this past year and I can tell you that it has been an emotional journey. There were so many things dividing the family and after losing Dad, it all came crashing in. I have much to share but not just yet...... just a little more time and I will share a journey that the Lord has taken me on.

BUT for today..........

I honor my father Paul E Walsh. He was a son and a husband. He was a father to 4 children. Paul Edward Walsh Jr, Larry Wayne Walsh, Helen Denise Walsh and Kathryn . He served his country in WWII and as my older brother stated at the funeral service...... He gave back more than he took.

He was a giver to a fault and was taken advantage of by many people in his life but as the word of God tells us, it is better to give than receive. He gave.........

Dad, today even after a year...

I still have fleeting moments that I need to walk across the yard to check on you and mom. I still wake up in the middle of the night thinking that you need me. There are moments in my day that I want to hurry over and ask you questions about my garden or how to prune my roses.

Or just to sneak a couple of your Hershey kisses.

You have been gone one year....... my heart still weeps as though it was just yesterday. They say that as time goes on the pain begins to ease........ I hope so.......

I love you Dad and I so look forward to seeing you again.

HOT !!!!!!!!

2011-06-30T08:58:00.001-05:00

OMG!!!!!!! It is hot here girls.....

We are having temperatures that we usually have in August. we are in the be triple digits and have been for over a week now. Those temps are for Oklahoma City, we are about 80 miles south east and we are about 4-5 degrees hotter than OKC. Yesterday my porch was 109. No rain and trees are dying.. Weather forecast is no rain till Labor day. We will lose trees by then. I have stopped watering the garden or flowers and putting all the water on my trees. Whew....... Lord send us some rain.

We had a wonderful Fathers day.

Both brothers and their wives came over and we cooked hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill. It was such a wonderful day. We sat and talked and laughed and it just warmed my heart... I was not looking forward to Fathers day but it turned out to be just what I needed.. It was 105 outside so we moved into the house to eat........ then I headed to the pool......

We are painting the house this week

and we really chose a bad week to do that.. We only paint in the mornings..... then it gets too hot to do anything.. The house was red brick and we are painting it sage green. A lot of folks told me I was crazy and should not do that BUT I have people stopping and asking for the color that I am using...... I will not give it to them!!! I looked for 3 years for the right color so am not going to give that away... Do you think I am terrible?

The back side of the house looked like a checker board.

I would find a color that I wanted (I thought) then after painting a 4x4 square, I did not like it...so off to the paint store to try another color. Three years of that and the back of my house was a checkerboard.

Excuse the mess.. This was 4 years ago when the pool was going in, but you can see the paint on the house. There are about 4 different colors up there. So it has been like that for a while.

It just took me forever to find the color I wanted. Seems that every color looked good on the little paint example but when on the house turned to baby poop mustard color......... Eweeeeeeeeee ! hahaha.

ANYWAY....

I finally found the right color and it is beautiful. We are trimming it with a lighter shade of sage as the trim and then the shutters (which my husband is making) will be dark dark dark hunter green... I have not yet decided on the doors (front door and shop door) I was thinking of barn red but am kinda thinking the same color as the shutters? Anyway, that is what we are doing. I work in the yard mostly as I cannot get up and down off of the ladder and my right shoulder will not let me paint very long.. We are enjoying out time together and spend most of the afternoons in the pool.

We are thinking about another hot-dog and pool party for the 4th.

Not sure, it is going to be so hot. We have not had a night party in a few years so thinking about doing that. Our pool has a strobe light underneath the water that changes colors slowly and it is really pretty at night. It is certainly warm enough. I will take pictures.

In the mean time, have a wonderful week!

Happy Fathers Day ------- My Dad........ My Friend

2011-06-18T21:53:00.000-05:00

Dad is in the red check, Uncle Ed is standing behind him. Uncle Ed went to be with them on April 28th.

By this time last year Dad was in the hospital. It was right around Fathers day that we realized that he would not be coming home. Hard to imagine it has been a year......... Just wanted to remember him and all the wonderful qualities he instilled in me and his son's. He was kind and thoughtful and giving, and he was a giver to a fault. There were many that took advantage of him. They ened up on the losing side.

Happy Fathers Dad my sweet Dad. Enjoy your day. You are still so very very missed.

Love

Foolishness

2011-06-15T22:03:00.000-05:00

When we do the same thing month after month and year after year without changing but we expect a different outcome, then we are foolish.

Change comes on purpose. Change our minds and we can change our lives. That is where I am today. Process of changing. It is not an easy process as we are creatures of habit and change does not come easy.

I have been reading a book called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. (I will talk more abut that in a few days) I think it is changing my life. It is a change that no one can see because it involves the heart, but it is the heart that my Father God sees, so it is a good place to be.

I just wanted to stop in and let you all know that I am here and am not leaving and soon will be writing again on my Samaritan Women blog. I am changing........ I know that HE has called me to write, but HE needed to make changes........... I am allowing HIM to do so....................

God can change our hearts but not our minds, we can change our minds but not our hearts, when we change our mind HE will change our hearts.

Love ya'll

Garage Sale !!!!!!!!!! Stuff !!!!!!!!!!

2011-05-30T10:22:00.000-05:00

For the past three weeks Dennis and I have been cleaning out a storage unit that we have had for 10 YEARS !!!!!!!

10 Years ! That is crazy, just crazy. It is all the stuff that we had when we moved from Kansas and then stuff when his mom and dad moved from Springfield and then stuff that my mom and dad had when they moved to Ada 9 years ago.

To give myself a little credit we have just not had time to move it to Ada (it was about 16 miles from here in Roff where mom and dad lived) BUT to pay $45.00 a month for 10 years is just nuts! Add it up! that is a lot of money.....

Anyway,

we have spent the last three weeks moving it and going through all those dirty, dusty moldy boxes and totes and furniture. We have thrown away a lot of stuff that is just no good and then put all the rest in MY SHOP! MY SHOP, my beautiful shop....... Wall to wall stuff (the storage unit was 10 x 20 so that should give you an idea of how much "stuff" we had in there.

We are having a garage sale on June the 3rd and 4th. There is a community wide garage sale in Dear Creek which is a large community estate right behind , so we are going to take advantage of the traffic that will come by the house.......

The storage unit

is empty as of yesterday and it is all in my house and yard. We did not want to pay for June so this weekend while everyone is out have a good time and barbeques in the back yard and lounging around the pool or at the lake we are going to be bringing MORE stuff into my shop!!!!!!!!!

BUT

After a long day yesterday of moving and cleaning and pricing, my sweet son called and said he was cooking and invited us and brother Paul and Alpha. Chris and Tara cooked shish-kabobs with chicken and shrimp and steak and all sorts of veggies! Cold slaw and pasta and corn or the cob and steamed asparagus!

What a treat it was to clean up and go to someone elses house and sit and visit and have them cook for me!

What a wonderful evening.

BUT today is Memorial Day

We are headed out to see mom and dad and his dad and take flowers then back to the house to finish up some pricing and sorting.

Good thing about this is there is less than one week and all this goes out into the yard. Dennis is taking off Thursday and Friday and we will take everything outside on Thursday. I have been pricing things as we unpack them and putting them back in clean new boxes, so things are kinda organized, kinda.

Over the past 10 years

I have always said that the only thing in there was my tea set from Japan. I do not have a china cabinet so I was never really in a hurry to find the set in all those boxes. During all the moving and unpacking and finding things that I had forgotten all about I found my tea set! Now I HAVE to have a china cabinet. I want an old one that I can paint... I will take pictures when this stuff goes out into the yard, right now my camera needs batteries!......

Soooooooo

my house looks like a garage sale from front to back. I have cleaned out every closet and every kitchen cabinet. I am throwing away stuff in my house and going back to just the essentials. Very tired of stuff.

So I have just given up on getting anything done in the shop or the house. After the garage sale I am painting every room and putting up crown molding in every room. From the back to the front........That is my goal for the summer......... "Whew"

Anyway,

that is where I have been and what I have been doing. Some days I was a bit overwhelmed but just 3 more days and it will all go out into the yard. (Dennis is going to sleep in the bed of the truck on Thursday night to make sure we do not have any early shoppers! hahaha!

We are hoping to get $2000.00 for all the stuff and we will turn around and buy all the patio squares that is going around the pool! Mercy.......... it is going to be a busy summer!

Love ya!

Pray for Israel, pray for peace, pray for our country. We are STILL at war in too many places.

YUCK !!!!!!!!!!!

2011-05-14T21:57:00.000-05:00

Took the cover off of the pool this past weekend! YUCK, was the word for the day!

Not sure what happened this winter but I have never seen the pool this bad. Could not imagine what in the world happened but no time to stand and wonder, had to clean it up.

Taking a closer look we realized that it was not the water but dirt on the bottom. Now how in the world that much dirt got in the pool is a mystery.

Out came the long hose and the vacuum head and Dennis got busy. It is a one man job trying to vacuum the bottom but he did a good job and once again after a few hours it started to look like a pool!

Ready for Summer!

We worked several hours in the yard and around the pool and by mid to late afternoon we were done. Hot and tired my husband turned and looked at me and told me that there was just one thing left to do, and with that he stripped down to his undies and........................................... you guessed it............ he jumped in the pool!

It the temperature of the water was a balmy 56 degrees! Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

I had no time to grab a camera! What a Kodak moment! He did not stay in there long......... but it sure was a fun ending to a hard day.

Life is for living............ laugh and enjoy.

THEN got up the next morning and what did we find? A copperhead snake in the pool. He was swimming around looking for a way out. I think the June bugs thought he was an island and they were climbing on!
He was fished out and off came his head! He was only about 12" long, wonder where Mama is???????

He is a dead snake now!

I was going to take a blog break this next few weeks of May and the month of June but have changed my mind. I love to blog and am going to get back into it.......this is where my heart is and I miss so many of you.

We cleaned out part of our storage unit today. We have been paying on it for 10 YEARS!!!!!!!! That is crazy. There are some things in there that I have not seen since we put them there. Now have a dozen of large boxes are sitting in my shop. Our plan is a garage sale the 10 of June. We are hoping to make $2000.00 and then build our new potting shed/ work shop. BUT there is a lot of work to do before then.

Hope every one is good and having a wonderful weekend. I will go now and visit some of you before bedtime.

He is Home

2011-04-28T14:55:00.002-05:00

EDWARD F POTTS
July 30,1922 - April 28, 2011

Of all the pictures of Uncle Ed, this one shows his personality.

He went home today around the noon hour. He slipped away and joined his mom and dad and brother and sister and wife of many years. It is amazing how the Father God gives us a glimpse into glory. Uncle Ed was talking to his wife Nay and to Helen and Paul (my mom and dad) just a short time before he went to join them.
Those glimpses into glory are a gift to us from the Father God. Today the Father God answered for me what my heart longed for..............

My heart is joyful for him, but hurts for his kids. He will be missed. We will see him again.

Listen to the song.......it is very short The first part is just music.... but LISTEN..... to the very last statement.........Do not miss it!

Peaceful Shore.......

2011-04-27T20:33:00.001-05:00

My Mom's brother, Uncle Ed, he is in the hospital. He is not expected to go home. He is the last of his brothers and sister. He has bee struggling for over a year now but always seems to bounce back. He will not bounce back from this. He is talking to Ida, his mom and talking to Helen, my mom and to James, his younger brother that died 64 years ago... He is seeing the promise land. Hearing sounds and seeing sights that we can only imagine. Things that we can only long for. He is moving across Jordan and he will soon visit with those gone before. I hope he tells mom and dad that miss them so...... Pray for his kids...... There are 4 of them.... many grandchildren and many many people that love his so....... Pray that he will slip quietly over..... peaceful and without pain............

Listen to the song.......it is very short The first part is just music.... but LISTEN..... to the very last statement.........Do not miss it!

State Capitol Art Show

2011-04-23T09:49:00.004-05:00

This is what we did yesterday. We left here at 10:00 am and headed to the State Capitol building in Oklahoma with a car full of food and decorations for the tables.

My oldest brother Paul is being featured at the Governor's Art Gallery from March 14th through May 15th 2011.
Yesterday was the reception.

I was in charge of the decorations. I wish I had pictures this morning but my sweet sister in law put my husband in charge of the pictures with her camera and he forgot to take pictures with mine!!!!!!!!!! So I am going to have to wait till she sends me pictures ! So being the impatient person that I am , I wanted to post about it this morning, so I will show pictures at a later date.

I am sharing with you the poster that is hanging in the Gallery at the entrance of the room. It is a beautiful room with marble floors and high vaulted celings.

We had the BEST day!

Larry and Marty the other brother and his wife came up and of course my son Chris was there. The table was beautiful and people came and went all afternoon.

We left there around 6:30 and headed home with a stop in Shawnee to sit and visit a while. We have not been all together since Mom's funeral.

We were all so very tired but still managed to laugh and talk and visit. I promised myself that I am going to fix a Sunday dinner every couple of months and have them over. We love to sit and talk about the years growing up and laugh and laugh. We need to do that more often!

Anyway...... it was a wonderful day........ I am very proud of him.

Take a quick look at the poster hanging in the gallery and I want to wish each of you a blessed Easter Sunday.

Governor's Gallery

Paul Walsh

Between Wood and Grass

March 14 – May 15, 2011

Paul Walsh considers himself fortunate to be an artist living in southern Oklahoma where picturesque scenery is abundant. Walsh says that in and around his hometown of Roff, "the diverse landscape offers a rich theater for a landscape painter. Snuggled here between the eastern woodlands and the prairie is a diversity that enriches the viewer." Walsh's interpretation of the scenery is showcased here in the exhibit titled Between Wood and Grass.

Whether it be the landscapes featured here or structures and people of small town Oklahoma, Walsh paints what he finds interesting in his surroundings. He says he strives to make extraordinary what is thought to be ordinary. "Much of the beauty [of Oklahoma] is subtle and does not reveal itself easily," he says. "The countless hues of grass alone are unique and cause for interest." When choosing his subjects, Walsh says he looks for abstract patterns of light and dark, subtle color changes in prairie fields, or trees silhouetted against the sky or fields. Walsh paints on location when the weather allows, but when it doesn't, he uses photographs as reference.

Walsh is a graduate of East Central University (ECU) in Ada where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Art and a Master's in Art Education. After serving in the Army during the Vietnam War he returned to Oklahoma where he taught art in public schools for forty years. The last thirty-five years of his public school tenure were served at Sulphur High School. He recently retired from full-time teaching and now devotes his time to his artwork and serves as an adjunct instructor at ECU. Walsh says he can be found painting most every day. He says, "If you're going to be good at something, you have to do it every day."

Walsh has received the honor of "Best in Show" from the Ada Artists Association in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009 as well as from the Cossatot Art Show in DeQueen, Arkansas in 2009. He was also named the "Gloria Westheimer Best of Show" at the Studio 107 Annual exhibit in Ardmore in 2010. His paintings have been featured in multiple solo exhibitions at venues such as the Leslie Powell Gallery, Lawton; Marvin Embree Gallery, Oklahoma City; ECU, Ada; Southeastern State University, Durant; and the Goddard Art Center, Ardmore.

Sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council.

What an honor it was to be there with him. He has been a stable influence in my life all my life. There is no other place I would have rather been than there with him today. After all, isn't that what family is all about. Give and take and showing support and being there for such a time as this in his life. It was a good day, it was a very good day.

Happy Easter....

2011-04-20T09:24:00.003-05:00

If you came here to read What's Love Got To Do With It? Then hop over to the Samaritan Women blog.......

Happy Easter........

Look at This! The Promise......

2011-04-15T09:39:00.000-05:00

THE PROMISE

click on the picture to get a better view......

We had such bad storms yesterday.

Dennis and I ended up going to the University. Dennis has an office on the second floor of the Library but the first floor is underground, or should I say built back into a hill. So it is a perfect place to go for shelter. It is very comfortable with a couch and soon to have a TV so that we will be able to watch the weather while we are there.

Anyway, when you are standing outside his office door there is a huge window that runs the length of the building. After the storm passed over us we went out into the hall to look out and we saw this! It did not show up on the picture but it was a double rainbow...... All we could do was stand and stare.

Thank goodness Dennis had his camera!

Right at the bottom right where the rainbow seems to touch all the trees and roofs of houses seem to be washed in the same colors as the rainbow. It was just a sight to behold. The picture does not do it justice but I wanted to share.....

A gal that posted a comment on my FB page said something so profound................

Jena said:

Awesome...I love how it's darker over the rainbow and lighter underneath...definitely a lighter load when living under God's promise!

I need not say any more......

My Two Son's

2011-04-12T08:47:00.000-05:00

Me and my two son's.

What a day........... This past Friday me and Darryl (he came down from Springdale)

to landscape the front of Chris's house. It was a blank pallet. The best kind.

We decided to move the border just a bit, you see the blue hose marking out our new path. We needed to make room for a new tree!

He gave us permission to do anything we wanted! How is that for faith!

I think going shopping with them was the most fun. We laughed and laughed and had to make those hard decisions. So many flowers so little room!

Of course, while we were there, some woman smacked into the back of a parked car. Chris being in uniform jumped right in there and got all the info from both people and in a few minutes a local office showed up and all was well. So while he was doing his duty we were spending his money! Lots of Encore Azalea's . If you have not seen them , they bloom many times in a season. Beautiful !

They are everywhere, flowers, they are everywhere. What to buy, be still my heart!

Darryl (on the left) is busy getting information about a couple of plants that we are unfamiliar with. I am off somewhere else just drooling. BUT !!!! I did not buy ONE thing for me, not one thing! Can you believe that?

Now tell me, how in the world do you make a decision about a small place when you really want enough to plant an acre! It is a good thing that I am older and not younger, there is no telling what my ten acres would look like!

Now comes the work, and you do not see me in there do you! I am the project supervisor. How do you like that split in that boy's britches!

In goes the FREE Japanese Maple !Yep, I said free! It is good to have friends that do landscaping for a living. (I got one too and now I need to finish my yard)

Oh the energy of the younger generation. Wait, they are not the younger generation! One is 41 and the other is 45! BUT when I was in my 40's I could have kept up with them till the sun went down! I hate getting old!

Several hours later! Look at that! Beautiful ......... Job well done........ It will be such an improvement to his property. Can't wait to see it all filled in! Wish dad were here, he had a green thumb and grew flowers all his life.

That little extra shape to the border sure did turn out nice. Gave it just a bit of personality! It needed to have a bit of personality, the boy that lives there has more than his share........ Between the two of them it was a wild day!

Now Chris's keep it watered. Tender lovin care will make it grow... He is lovin' it !

Had to have a couple of hanging pots! Finish off the front of the house. AND it is hard to see but I was in charge of the planter across the top. It has candy stripe Phlox and behind that is mixed Vinca (periwinkles).This faces south so they will LOVE the hot sun and they will grow and spread and look great! The Phlox will not bloom till next spring but it will be pretty and green all summer.

He is a happy camper. (The week before that I put monkey grass around his tree in the front and along the wall right by his feet.) Give that a month or two and things will look mighty spiffy! (is that a real word)

This mom had a wonderful day. A wonderful day.

Great Is Thy Faithfullness...........

2011-04-06T09:54:00.002-05:00

Are You Still Dancing?

Power In The Blood

2011-04-02T10:01:00.004-05:00

I Hope You Dance

My Day----- Leaving FB.........

2011-03-29T18:37:00.001-05:00

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

It looks like winter again. Temp is 40 degrees, wind is blowing. Low last night was 32. Had to cover my Peonies!! They have buds the size of quarters........I have both plants covered with trash cans...... Last year I lost my bloom to a late freeze..... Not this year........

I am thinking..

that I need to put my life in some sort of order. I have all the time in the world and I need to learn how to manage my time. It is the first time in my life that I have been in this place and now I need to learn to not waste my time. I have a LOT of hobbies, really more than I should have so need to learn how to spend time with that and spend time on other things. Summer is right around the corner and I need to accomplish something before that pool opens!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha! Where is the time going anyway. How did it get to be nearly April. What did I do in Jan and Feb and March?

I am thankful for...

My health. I have run across a couple of blogs this week that I just needed to leave. I found my self crying as I read stories of catastrophic illness striking younger women and bring such chaos in their finances and their family. I read one the other day and I just had to close it and cry..... Praying for the Father God to give us a cure for breast cancer...... I know HE will if we ask and keep on asking....

From the learning rooms..

Life brings change and with that change we grow if we allow the Lord to revel to our hearts the lessons to be learned. I have fought that over my life and missed the lesson. As I grow older, I am eager to learn.

From the kitchen...

Not much going on there. I am more into the raw than ever before and learning each day how if "fix" up something to eat. I have found that making out a menu for the week works real well. I know this, that I have eaten more fruit and vegetables in the past few months than I have in my entire life. I have fresh juice every morning, carrot, apple, pineapple, and touch of lemon. It is wonderful. Throughout the day I drink green smoothies. I get all my protein and essential vitamins and minerals there. You wold not believe how good they can be. Hand full of spinach, banana, few strawberries, some Chia seed and filtered water. I experiment all the time and I have not found anything that is not wonderful.

I am wearing...

Well, I guess I must say that I have gone back to my winter wear. Sweats and sweatshirts and woolly socks. I had pretty much put them all away, but seems that winter is trying it's best to reappear. Lets hope that this week is the last of it.

I am creating...

a web site!!!!!!!!!! I have FINALLY got my web site finished and I am now in the process of putting items up on the web. It is not launched yet but it is Sew Very Prim and it will have primitive graphics converted into embroidery files and those files for sale. I tell you that I have started this about 3 years ago but just have not been able to find the time to get it finished. Now, with the time I find I have I have finally finished the web site. Now I am not a whiz at web design but my husband bought me Dreamweaver 4 and it is whiz bang. I am a hands on person and not a book person so I learn by doing and not reading first. Not sure if that is the best way but it works for me. Now I do not know much about it but I can build a simple web site I will let you all know when it goes on line. Maybe next week. I still have to learn how to get a PayPal button working and how to figure out how the customer can download the file after payment........... Whew..... My brain is tired!

I am going...

to Springdale in three weeks to have a double root canal!!! OUCH! Seems I have a bad tooth under my bridge and also the tooth right next to the bridge. Well it has to be a specialist that can go through the bridge to do the root canal. My dentist referred me to a specialist in OKC and after talking to them the cost was going to be $ 2899.00!!!! OMG.......... to make a long story short.... My oldest son in Arkansas is in the dental sales business and he knows Dr's all over this part of the US. He takes them out to dinner, he sees them on a weekly basis with his sales job......sooooooo I called him and he came through like a champ.... He got me a professional discount and off to Arkansas I go in a few weeks. They will do the exam and then both the root canals and for less money to justify going that far. I wish that the Lord had given us three sets of teeth. It sure would have been nice.

I am reading...

Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burop. It is an amazing book and a short read. If you have not read it or heard about it then you owe it to yourself to pick it up or download it on your Kendall. (I am reading it on my husbands Kendall) It is heaven as told by a 4 years old boy that died for a short time. Out of the mouth of babes.

I am hoping...

That all the things that that little 4 year old boy tells us of heaven is in actual fact real. It gives me GREAT hope and hope is what keeps us singing.

I am hearing...

the TV tuned to Fox News. We listen every night. I just cannot imagine why in the world we are in Lybia. What do you think? Should we have gone in and got involved in a Civil war? I just do not know, I feel so bad for those beautiful women and children but are we really wanting to be in another conflict? What say you?

Around the house...

Not much, lot of work outside before it turned cold again. In the house I am cleaning out closets and have taken all of the things from Mom and Dad's house to a family member in Tulsa. I still have a closet full of things to take pictures of and put on Etsy and all of Mothers jewelry to go through. I have put that off for a while. Other than that, lots of plans to paint and other things inside this summer but now.... just talk.

One of my favorite things...

Working in my back yard. There is nothing better for lifting the soul. Right now I am looking out the back patio and cannot wait till the weather once again warms up....... I have plans for a HUGE shade garden.... I need to be out there getting my hands dirty........ God made dirt to grow things in ......... Dirt is of God.......

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Not much... Dennis was off this afternoon and he is off tomorrow. This is the week that we do the McCalls Special Olympics each year. I have been printing their shirts for 8 years now. We start in January with designing the shirt and after some back and forth and changing the design, we agree on one the first of March and then I go into high gear. This year royal blue shirts with a front and back design in white. They ordered 269 shirt so that is print on the front an print on the back. That is 540 designs to be put on the shirts....... Dennis always takes a day and half off to help. We did 100 this afternoon and will finish them tomorrow by around 2 or so. It is a good job and it always comes when we need it most. This year it will pay for my two root canals. I am thankful for Gods provision.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

A blank canvas for my shade garden. This is the south end of the back yard and it is 100% in the shade. I am thinking hydrangeas, azaleas and lots of other pretties to beautify my back yard. What you think?

Lots of hostas around the bird bath I think. Then look to the left of the bird bath along the fence. I am thinking a row of Cannes yellow, and in front of that a row of Spiderworts which are beautiful purple color and then in front of that yellow iris. What ya think?

If you would like to join us in the simple Women's Day Book go over to Peggy's and join us.

Oh yes, I love blogging and my blogging buddies. I am going to cut back on FB and come here more...... I miss you ALL!!!

On My Sidebar.........

2011-03-21T09:30:00.000-05:00

Take a minute and click on the button to the right of my post and read about Misha. I have been friends with Janera for several years now here in the blog. I think many of you know her. What a blessing she is and what a blessing she is going to be to one little boy that lives in an orphanage in the Ukraine.

I do not usually do this but in my heart I know it is something that we all can do. $1, $2, $3, etc. Whatever we can give. She is also having an auction of items later in the summer, I know that there are those of you out there that are so crafty. Think about sending her something to put in the auction. I am.

Can you imagine the blessing it WILL be when she posts a picture of Misha at home with her? Can you imagine the joy that it will bring to our hearts, that we were a part of something much bigger than ourselves..........

The economy is in the tank, I know that , but the Father God is not and neither are HIS people. Pray about it, go over to her blog and read and then be obedient to the Lord.

Feel free to take the picture from my sidebar and post it on your blog. The link http://www.mygardenhat.blogspot.com/

I have posted a few lines from her blog :

Misha is real. He would have been real whether or not we ever met him. But we did meet him, and now here we are, one family among the many who have heard God's whispering in their ears to go, to reach out, to bring home a child and to love him unconditionally.

We never imagined it would be we. Yet, here we are. We're stepping into rough waves, trying to keep our eyes on the Father, trying as hard as we can to believe that we can walk to Him on water.

I try not to think about our little boy where he is tonight, in his orphanage in Ukraine. I try not to remember what I know to be true: that he probably went to bed hungry, that no one tucked him in and played a little game of "Who loves you?" with his giggling self, that he doesn't have his beloved Spongebob blanket, because he left it here, asking us to keep it until he can return. The big boys would take it, he tells us in a mixture of sign language, Russian, and near-English. I try not to wonder if he is cold, if he is wearing his new glasses, if he was able to keep his toys that we sent back with him, if he gets to drink as much milk as he wants, like he did here in our kitchen. I try not to go back to my folder of photos, where I've saved pictures of him in his orphanage, in our home, in the car on the way back to the airport.

Spring

2011-03-19T11:33:00.000-05:00

Spring Brings New Life

Jesus is Spring

ROCKS AND DIRT!

2011-03-16T09:58:00.003-05:00

This is the 4th year for the pool. Hard to imagine that it has been that long. We were so busy with other obligations that we have not been able to do much with the landscaping around the pool. It is dirt and grass.

Well,

you know what happens when it the wind blows or you have to mow or weed eat? Yeap, dirt and grass in the pool. So now we are doing a temporary fix until we can afford to put a deck around it. (Maybe next summer)

So

My sweet husband is off on spring break this week so this is what we are doing.............

Hard to believe that we are having to mow first. It has been many years since we were mowing in March.
If you look , you will see the fence to the right and behind Dennis. He will build a fence from the corner of the house toward the east and then turn about half way across and go back to the back of the fence. That will cover up the pump and the heater. That will look nice.

This is the south side of the pool. We will dig down 4 inches and 4 foot across and then line with landscape timber and then pour rock. We want to build a deck but that will need to wait till we save up a few bucks.

Now this is the east side of the pool and it has quite a hill on that side. We will cover that with large flat rock and I need to find some type of pretty ground cover that will kill our any weeds or grass. Any suggestions?
Sometime this fall, that old shed is going to be dozed down and next spring a new shed for me. One thing at a time please.

Now I am the official digger upper and shovel it into the wheel barrow. I am using muscles that have been forgotten about all winter. This is going to hurt in the morning.

Now comes the rock. Lots of rock. The truck was just too big when it got here and very heavy, so we were fearful of him drivng across the yard to get next to the pool due to the fact that all our water lines are there. So, I have a BIG pile of rocks right in front of my house..........!
Better safe than sorry.

My poor husband, I cannot help with this. I cannot shovel rock. Now all that rock has to go to the back of the house, in through the gate and around the pool.
This is going to take some time.

To be continued!

ADDED FOOTNOTE...........

My grandparents were born in Ireland. His dad ( my grandfather) was born on St. Patrick's day in Dublin. You do not get much more Irish than that! Happy St Patrick's Day dad.
I have a great heritage.

I Had A Happy Birthday! And I Cried

2011-03-10T09:56:00.000-06:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

Cannot believe that it has been so long since I posted on my blog.

Time does fly....

Monday was my birthday... We were finished with the house. I went over there mid day and just went in and sat and stayed a spell.

I knew that it would be the last time that the little house would be empty and that there would be others living there and I would not be going in again for a long time. I guess that is a good thing. I just sat and listened to the quiet. Memories flooded my soul and even now my heart hurts.
.

Dennis did such a good job

with the little house. He put down the carpet and he finished the shower and tiled it! He is as handy as a pocket on a shirt.

This is living room looking into the kitchen and back bedroom. We left the little table with the two chairs and if they want to use it fine and if not we will take it out.

This is from the kitchen looking into the living room and toward the front bedroom and front bath. The front door is just to the right. When Mom and Dad moved in we put up all new lights and ceiling fans.

This is the new shower. He did just a wonderful job. He tore out the tub and put down the floor and tiled the walls and installed all the plumbing and handles and knobs. Not too shabby for a first time .......... I should have bought a navy blue shower curtain but oh well.

Living room looking toward the front door that goes out on the deck.

I get up a lot at night,

I have trouble sleeping sometimes, and when I do get up I go out in my shop and work. My north window of my shop looks right over to the little house. Dad used to tell me that when he would get up at night and see the light on he would feel safe and get great comfort out of knowing we were there. After that I started leaving the shop light on all night.
I got up the other night and looked out the north window and left the light off and just worked in the dark. Silly, I know but they say time heals, and there has not yet been enough time.

The deck. That is Mom's little flower garden just beyond the deck. She loved loved loved her flowers. I got that from her. My older brother and myself are the only ones in the family with a green thumb and a love for the dirt..... We got that from her and from Dad.


I have taken the bench from the house and put it on my back porch. Not able to see someone else siting there. BUT I did leave two chairs one in each corner for them. After sitting a spell inside I sat a spell outside, and I cried. Just too much for me even now. Just too much.

I am moving the garden

from in front of the little house, moving the flowers to my back yard into one big flower garden this year. I am putting up blinds on the north window of my shop, there are going to be nights that I want to work and need to turn the light on.
Things change and time goes and memories that bring tears will one day bring a smile. I look forward to that day.

I think Mom and Dad would enjoy knowing that their little house now has two very nice people living there. I too am thankful that the Lord answered our prayers and brought us the perfect renters. But I would trade all that I have to see these two little faces sitting on that porch just for one day.

NOW ON TO HAPPY TIMES WITH MY FAMILY


Birthdays are wonderful when you consider the alternative.

Cards and flowers who could ask for anything more! It is hard to see them but the roses are lavender and they match the card that my sweet bought me.


Beautiful!

I was treated to dinner out with my sweet husband and my wonderful son and and and BOTH of my wonderful brothers. What a treat! I do not remember the last time we were all together except for the two services for Mom and Dad. We went to a really nice Italian Restaurant and the food was wonderful but the company was beautiful blessing.

My son got me a butt load

of garden tools that I NEEDED so bad . New rakes and new limb cutters and new hoe and gloves. Now that might not seem to be the perfect gift to you but for this gal it was WONDERFUL!

My sweet brother Larry and his crazy wife Marty got me smell good stuff which I can always use and the other brother PE and wife Alpha picked up the ticket for my dinner.

My sweet sweet husband

got me a bike and we are headed to Tulsa this weekend to pick it up! I do not remember the last time I rode a bike. There is plenty of places to ride out here in the country and we are looking forward to getting some exercise and fresh air. (He is buying him a new one also)

Sooooooooooooo you see

I had the most wonderful bitter sweet day this past Monday..........

Life is good .........

God is faithful and HE has given me the gift of the love of my family and the hope of tomorrow..........

Love you gals!

What Do You Think Of This Do?

2011-02-28T16:57:00.001-06:00

Ok....... it is time for a drastic change to my do............

What do you think of this do?

I had to blur out her face. This is just a picture I found and they live here in town. I friend of mine cuts her hair. What to you think? Should I go for it?

ROBINS !!

2011-02-27T10:10:00.001-06:00

There are hundreds of Robins in my yard.

They are everywhere. South of the house in the open fields they are busy busy looking for worms. I have never seen so many robins.

They are a joy to behold this morning.

A promise of Spring!

Have a Robin filled Sunday girls!

Remember

2011-02-25T10:23:00.000-06:00

Do you remember

me talking about renting the little house. How I wanted someone my age maybe, or close to my age. Well the little house is rented and it is such an amazing thing.

We have a business man here in town that owns many nursing homes. He has hired two woman, on an administrator and one a nurse to manage his nursing homes. Each woman lives out of town, one in Texas and on in Eastern Oklahoma. They have been living in a motel for more than a month now while trying to find somewhere to live Monday-Thursday.

Each will go home on Thursday night or Friday morning.

Well, my son Chris that knows everyone here in town is good friends with this business man and to make a long story short he told him about the little house out here in the country. One of them came to look at it yesterday and loved it. I hope to meet the other one next week sometime.

I am not a good judge of age

but she looks to be about 55 or so and is very very friendly and funny.
They will not be here on the weekends so they wanted something other than an apartment with all young people and somewhere safe for their things on the weekend.

It is a perfect situation. The business man will pay all the bills so there will not be an issue with collecting the rent and all the utilities will go to his office.

So now,

I MUST go over there and clean out mom's closet. It looks like they will move in sometime after next week. No more excuses.

The Lord

knew just who I needed out here and it looks like HE has answered my prayer. I can see me sitting on that beautiful deck that my husband son and brother built and sipping coffee with a new friend.

HE is faithful if we can be patient

I have jury duty beginning next Monday. I will keep you posted.

It has turned winter again here but not for long I hope. All of my peonies are peaking up through the dirt. I hope the freeze last night did not hurt them too bad. I should have raked some leaves over them, but too late now...........

Have a good weekend girls.

Jury Duty

2011-02-21T22:33:00.000-06:00

I have been called to Jury duty this coming Monday. I have always wanted to sit on a jury, but now that I have the chance..... a little scary. I have to report next Monday at 8:30. Now for most of you that would not be a problem, BUT I am not a morning person any more. I get up and lolly-gag and drink coffee and lolly-gag and get dressed and lolly-gag and then get something done. I guess you could call me a lolly-gagger....

BUT --------I cannot lolly-gag next Monday. This is one morning I cannot be late...........

Praying and Laying Carpet.

2011-02-18T10:15:00.000-06:00

We are headed over to the little house.

Looking into the living room from the kitchen.

We are putting down new carpet today. I think we have a wonderful renter. I will share that when it is a done deal. The carpet is dark brown. I think it will be nice. I will take pictures when finished.


From the Living Room to the Kitchen. Dennis is trying to open a can of grout. He was finishing up the tile in the bathroom.

We are putting down the carpet our self.

The rooms are square and they are small. I have moved all of the remaining things into a back room and today I will deal with that while Dennis cuts the carpet. They did not have much. They just lived simply. I have not gone in the house in a long time, but I need to just "woman up" and get it done.

Memories

I made a set of towels yesterday for a local auction for a family here in town.

They turned out so nice that I decided to make a second set this weekend sometime to sell on Etsy. They have a Celtic Cross appliqued on each towel. Seems that it is the in thing right now. I will take picture.

I think most you here in blog land know Deena over at Can I Be Pretty In Pink.. She needs our prayers to bombard heaven. Go over there and let her know you are praying.

Well, time to finish my second cup of coffee and get my working clothes on. Make sure and go and give your support to Deena ... then PRAY...........

Today IS the First Day of the Rest of My Life

2011-02-11T09:30:00.000-06:00

FOR TODAY

Friday February 11, 2011

Outside my window...

I am still looking at snow and ice and slush! BUT today is 45 degrees and this will go away. I think they are saying that it is going to be 75 next Wednesday! 75! From -2 yesterday morning to 75! Oklahoma, got to love it! I have lots of plans for my yard this year. I am going to put a large flower garden in the back yard with a small fish pond. Lots of hostas and shade flowers......Hydrangeas are my favorite. It will take me most of the summer due to the fact that the ground is worthless! I am going to build it up with landscaping timbers and have top soil brought in with a mixture of good potting soil. Sooooooo it will take all summer to get it in and planted but I really look forward to that. I will take pictures!

I am thinking...

That I need to get my act together. During the past few months girls, I have lost my spark and I have thrown discipline to the wind. I look in the mirror and do not recognize who is standing there. It has been almost 5 months from losing Mom and 7 months since Dad. I have just gone down that slippery slop since then and finally changed Dr's yesterday and went in for my first appointment. She took care of Dad the last time I took him to the ER and she also took care of Mom the last few Dr appointment that mom had, so she had a bit of an idea of the of the past few months in my life. She gave me some wonderful insight and assured me that I could and would get myself back on track. What I did was just fail to grieve and tried to just get on with my life without really allowing myself to feel. Now you know that will not work don't you? Anyway, she is a wonderful Christian and she lays hands on you at the end of the visit and prays....... OMG........ What a blessing. I feel good about the visit and this morning am going to put into practice what she suggested.

I am thankful for...

This morning, I feel so thankful for forgiveness and grace. I am thankful that God is not mad at me. God is not mad at my enemies and HE is not mad at HIS enemies! God, HE took HIS son and HE put HIM on a tree and HE poured out HIS wrath on HIM. HE made a perfectly innocent man pay for what I have done wrong from the first day of my life to the last day of my life. Forgiveness, grace. I am thinking that HE loves me.

From the learning rooms.

I am learning that I am NOT super woman, and I am learning that the trials that we go through do change us and we need to be still and learn from those trials and allow them to strengthen us and weaken us. I have allow the later. I will change today. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 There are some phenomenal things happening that I have not shared with you but will share over on Samaritan Women blog in just a few days. I use the word phenomenal because that is what it is. :) Watch for the link...........

From the kitchen...

One thing that I have allowed myself to do is fall half way off of the raw diet wagon and throughout this very cold spell I have eaten comfort food an it is fattening! Soooooooo this morning it is a green smoothie with baby spinach, banana and 1/2 papaya. I can tell you now that it is delicious. So as for right now and the rest of the day, the kitchen is closed except the blender.

I am wearing...

This is one of the aspect of my life that I am changing this morning. I am getting up and dressing in jeans and sweater, makeup and hair fixed. Now that does not take me long as my hair is an easy mange style and I do not wear much make up at all.. Just a bit of lipstick and mascara and a tiny bit of dark brown shadow in the outside corner of my upper eye lid. I do not wear any foundation, it gets in my wrinkles and looks terrible so I have chosen to go bare! So it is jeans and black sweater and tiny little earrings. Greet the day.. that is my new motto!

I am creating...

I have made three dolls and part of a Spring Rabbit door hanger. One swap Valentine that was mailed yesterday. I need to get out there and finish that Rabbit and get started on a doll for competition at the Cloth Doll web site.

I am going...

No where today, but this weekend we are going to get the carpet for the little house. I have news about that also but will leave that for another day.

We are also planning another trip to Texarkana Texas. I have a beautiful great Aunt down there that is such a blessing. We are going to make another trip down there to visit. On the way down or the way back I am going to take time to go through Antlers Oklahoma. We passed through there the last time on our way to Texas and we passed by some awesome antique shops and flea market shops along the main street! I have GOT to go and look. I am looking for an old china cabinet for my kitchen, and a corner cabinet also for my kitchen (I have a big kitchen) . We hope to do that in a couple of weeks.

I am reading...

My Bible...........

I am hoping...

that I have seen the last of this inner ear infection with vertigo. What a nightmare. It has been almost 4 weeks now and still just a slight bit of dizzy when I lay down. That jumped up out of nowhere and bit me! Dr said it takes weeks and weeks sometimes to recover. They can even do therapy to get the fluid in the inner ear to balance out. Imagine that............

I am hearing...

Fox News on the TV. I have been leaving it on the past couple of days listening and watching Egypt. If you are not then you might consider catching up with what is going on. This is monumental in OUR nation let alone the nation of Egypt. They have been one of the many great allies to the US but they HATE Israel. Over the years they have been peace loving and quiet but if the wrong people take leadership in Egypt then we are looking at the middle east becoming very very unstable. Watch and pray.

Around the house...

is a mess. I have been huddled up in the living room and kitchen for weeks now waiting out this cold with the back rooms shut off. Moses has been moved to the kitchen away from his window in the back room to keep him warm. I have had blankets on the doors in my shop both front and back and all the shades closed. Today, down comes the blankets and shades up and house cleaned! I feel Spring coming!

One of my favorite things...

My back yard. It is a mess right now as I have not been out there in weeks and weeks, but I love to just go out there and stroll around. We hope to pour white river rock on the west side of the pool this year to keep the grass from growing up to the sidewalk around the pool. I have a beautiful rock garden at the very back of my yard that I love and I have a black wrought iron bench and table under one of the big elm trees. Everything is cold and lifeless right now but underneath all that life is headed up!

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Finish up the doll swap that is out in my shop. Move Moses back to his room this afternoon when it warms up a bit. Head up to the college track tomorrow and walk my 3 miles. Try to finish up clearing out the little house to finish getting it ready to rent. That is the one job that I keep putting off, so I must bring it to the forefront of my life and put that behind me. There is not much left and most of it is going to Tulsa.

Then, tomorrow I am going out to visit Mom and Dad. I have not been out there since December and I want to see if they have finished the marker, and I need to change the flowers.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing

This is the corner where I am going to build my flower garden. I am moving out the half barrels and will be planting hydrangeas along that north fence(at the top of the picture)It is very shady there so shade plants be the most part. I have a lot of work but it will be so pretty when finished.

This is an old swing that we found at a flea market years ago. It was hanging in the back yard until ice storm last year took the limb down. Now it will go out under the big oak tree to the south of the house by the new flower garden. It will be such a peaceful place to go and read don't you think?

Here is the ice storm from last year. Took down a huge limb with the swing... but it is going to go back here...

This is the big oak tree at the south end of the back yard.(this was taken last summer when we were moving the fence) It will sit right to the west of my shade garden . I am going to hang my swing from one of those branches....... What ya think?

Well, got to go and start the housework. I would like to finish before noon an then have the afternoon to work in the shop.
Have a wonderful weekend. Hope all of you have a lot of sunshine to encourage you to think Spring.

Love ya all!

If you would like to join us in the simple Women's Day Book go over to Peggy's and join us.

TODAY...... In My Life

2011-02-04T10:35:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...

It is snowing again..! I have been in since Monday afternoon....... Cabin fever is setting in....... BUT it is really beautiful out my picture window. We had blizzard conditions this morning around 7:30. Beautiful..........

I am thinking...

I really need to color my hair but I have no rubber gloves! Why did I let myself run out of rubber gloves. If my hair is ok, then I am ok....... My hair is not ok, and we have a school party tomorrow. (if they do not cancel) I think my sweet husband is going to have to go to the dollar store in the big truck!

I am thankful for...

I am thankful for the PEC (Peoples Electric Company) guys that were out all day Tuesday and all that night getting our power back on. When the roads clear I am going to bake them a batch of cookies... We forget to thank those that are required to be out in such hazardous weather.

From the learning rooms..

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

I am very interested in the first part of this scripture right now. Studying the Hebrew/Greek to see what it really says..... Who are the witnesses? Are they cheering us on? It implies that they are. Angels? There is more to be studied here......

From the kitchen...

I have a big pot of pinto beans with a HUGE ham bone from Christmas cooking in the crock pot. Beans and cornbread tonight! Comfort food....... YUM!

I am wearing...

Black sweat pants, orange sweat shirt with black and green stripe woolly socks! Did you know that I own a Tee Shirt shop and I hate Tee Shirts! AND I will only wear them if the neck is cut out and made to "scoop" Well I cut the neck out of my sweats as well! Is that strange or what.. I cannot stand that ribbing around my neck BUT I will wear turtle neck sweaters! Strange person I am!

I am creating...

Free Standing Lace Valentine book marks for a Valentine Swap that I am part of here in the blog. I love the Free Standing Lace....... Easy to sew on my machine and oh so pretty when finished......... Here is the web site I buy most of these designs ... Advanced Embroidery . Take a look at this vest, do you think they would sell? Free Standing Lace Vest I have purchased the pattern before Christmas. Thinking about making one. Tell me your thoughts......

I am going...

NOWHERE........ but Dennis is going after rubber gloves! hahahha

I am reading...

Still on The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee and about half way through The Visitation by Frank Peretti

I am hoping...

I really hope that the temperature goes above freezing this weekend and clears the roads. They had a terrible accident up around Tulsa because of the icy roads. We need sunshine.

I am hearing...

NO traffic going past my house. It has been so quiet out here since Tuesday morning. Did you know that if you stand out in the middle of the snow and be very quiet, it will snap and crackle and pop? It is singing to you!

Around the house...

Not too much going on. We have most of the rooms closed off with blankets over the doors to keep the heat in the kitchen and living room. Sooooooooo there is not much to do....... I am working in the shop most of the day but that little wall furnace does not really keep up when the temperature is -3 like it was this morning. It keeps my machine warm but hard to work out there if too cold outside.

One of my favorite things...

Having my husband home. The University closed on Tuesday and has been closed all week. We just sit and read and visit and nap. Drink my favorite hazel nut decaf coffee, and watch the birds outside enjoying the water and seed under the patio.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Color my hair and go to the party tomorrow. IF we can get there. It is my husbands boss and she has just built a new home out in the country. We will see. Two things have to happen, on the roads need to clear a bit and two Dennis needs to go after rubber gloves! hahahhaha

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

That Vest I was telling you about! So nice and all sewn on my machine.

Comes in three sizes. I think I will make one!

What do you think of these? I thought I might make a pair and put on Etsy. June will be here before you know it and someone might like these for a wedding!

AND!!!!!!!!!!! Look at this! It is all sewn on my machine! Hard to imagine. I think I might give it a try. A lot of work, would have to ask too much for it........BUT would be fun to see how it comes out!

I like the beaded handle.

Here is one for fall........... I like those wooden handles also..........

Well, time to do something! Anything........ ahhahaha A body at rest tends to stay at rest..... I need to get up and work!

Have a good weekend and I pray that it warms up for all of us!

If you would like to join us in the simple Women's Day Book go over to Peggy's and join us.

I Am Still A Dizzy Broad!

2011-01-25T10:50:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY

Tuesday January 25th 2011

Outside my window...

It is a beautiful day. It was a beautiful day yesterday. Right now I am looking at the lattice sitting in front of my mail box, it is still decorated with the Christmas stuff..... I forgot to take it down. I think I am just going to take the bows off and leave it....... Maybe.

I am thinking...

that this is day 11 for me and this inner ear thing. Today is the last day of the antibiotics. I am much better but still very light headed and have to be so careful bending over or reaching up. I will topple like a double dip of ice-cream stacked off center on a warm summer day.

I am thankful for...

My husband. He has been such a help to me the past 11 days and hoovered over me like a hen over her chicks. I am thankful for information. I am an avid reader and I Google everything. I have learned much about inner ear disorders and then I have learned much about natural cure and natural things to take to help build immune against it. Information is a blessing! Take your life in your hands and read.. Listen to your Dr. but be PRO ACTIVE! Our bodies are amazing! It will heal itself if we know what to feed it.

From the learning rooms..

My husband called me from work yesterday with a bible question. Job 1:7 (and again in Job 2:2) And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

Rev. 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. I have read that many times over the years but I guess I have never studied it.

Our enemy has access to the throne of God and he is the accuser of the brethren. Has been since he was thrown out of heaven eons ago. However he is still allowed to come and go and have conversation with the Father God. UNTIL in Revelations 12:10 where he, our accuser is thrown out for good. he sees the end of his days coming and in that time he will raise unholy hell on earth. The tribulation.

Now I said all that to say this. Jesus is our intercessor. When the enemy comes and gets in the face of God accusing me, Jesus intercedes for me. HE is my defender. HE reminds the Father that I am in Christ and my sin is forgiven and the blood has washed me clean. HE intercedes. What a thought for this beautiful morning.

From the kitchen...

Not much going on here. I am fixing to make my juice for the day. I have discovered that I can make it in the morning and put it in pint glass jars with lids and it will stay just fine all day. That is a good thing. I have been trying to juice when I am hungry and sometimes it is easier to get a piece of bread with lunch meat than to juice. So, I think this will work for me. Today is honey dew, 4 carrots, two oranges, one pear, two apples an hand full of organic spinach. (The spinach does not go into the juicer, I put it in the blender after the juice is made to mix it all together.) Oh yes and a very SMALL piece of ginger. I learned yesterday how potent ginger is and it make my juice rather "sharp".

I am wearing...

Black stove pipe sweats with white sweater. My favorite colors are black and white together. Strange I know, then I have big pink fuzzy socks. Just washed my hair and it is wild and all over my head (I think that is a good thing)

I am creating...

Still with the dolls, I have two on the counter and 4 in the drawer and they are in various stages of construction. I am going to work out there all day today.. I can sit in my desk chair and work and not tire out. I also have three stitcheries in my computer that I am anxious to make and a design for a really pretty sweat shirt. I am the crafty dizzy gal.

I am going...

Nowhere! I tried going out Sunday to an art show that my brother was competing in but that was a nightmare. I could not enjoy it at all and most of the hour that I was there I sat. They were all going out to eat afterward but I had to come home. That was at 4 pm and I slept the rest of the day in my chair. Wore me out! My sweet brother has called me every evening since then, bless his heart, he loves me.

I am reading...

Still reading the Visitation by Frank Peretti and The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee. I have the study of Paul by Beth Moore on the table and a study of the book of Ruth right under it. My dizzy brain will not let me concentrate on ALL of them so I am staying the the Visitation until the head clears. The Spiritual Man is so deep that it gives me a headache so that one is waiting for me to recover.I am hoping...

I am hearing...

That furnace running, mercy our electric bill has been so high. AND still the drip of the kitchen faucet. I have a brand new one sitting in the utility room waiting to be installed. "Sigh"

Around the house...

My love bird Moses is wreaking havoc on my books. Lovebirds are paper shredders. My gosh, He can shred a magazine in no time and then there is all these little pieces of paper EVERYWHERE! I try to keep him a magazine on the kitchen table for him to chew. BUT he has discovered my recipe books on the bakers rack in the kitchen and if I am not careful he will get up there and make a terrible mess and destroy my books before I know it! So, I have learned that he is VERY smart and the word NO gets his attention. However the fly swap really gets his attention ! hahahahhahha All I have to do is holler no and shake the fly swat at him and here he comes! Have you every heard a lovebird "bark" Well he will attack that fly swat like it is a predator and bark and puff up and fight that thing for all he is worth. Now I do not let that go on too long, just a few seconds. It works well and I think he is learning to stay off of my bakers rack. The only BAD thing about this method is the 18 lb Schnauzer if afraid of the fly swat! He will be traumatized the rest of the day if he sees it in my hand! He runs for cover and shakes the rest of the day. NOW, NO, I have never used the fly swat on him ever! That dog is spoiled rotten and has never heard a cross word. Go figure!
One of my favorite things...

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Just continue to rest and the plan is to work on the little house on Thursday and Friday. Dennis is taking off work to finish the shower and put up the tile and I am going to TRY to dye the carpet in the front bedroom. YES I said dye. I Googled it (remember I said I was a Googler) Well I found out that with a carpet shampooer and Rit dye you can dye light carpet dark. The carpet in the bedroom where mom and dad slept is pretty stained but the carpet is really nice. Just one spot over by the side where mom slept. She took cans of pop to bed with her and usually it was the strawberry pop. Need I say more. It is the size of about 2 ft square and it will not clean. I have tried. Sooooooooooo I got to reading and found out that you can dye carpet. I have bought dark navy dye and Thursday if I am feeling up to it, I am going to dye the carpet. The nice thing about it is, if it does not work, we will just pull it up and replace it. It is only about 10x 12 room. Wish me luck! We hope to rent out the little house by the first of March. It does not need to sit empty.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

He has an itch!

Just the edges please. If you will notice in the magazine at the top of the picture. Just the edges. When all the edges are gone he goes looking for more! I am so busy keeping him in edges!

Look. all the pieces are almost the exact same length. He does that all day! Always the exact same length! He wants to build the perfect nest!

On to a new one.

Get that fly swat!


See how he is all puffed up! Get that fly swat!

Ok..... Now he is the keeper of the laptop! Tired of the effort to get the books on the bakers rack (you can see it behind him to the left)

And as I bid a fond farewall to you, he is on the table behind the laptop gettn' and goin'

Have a good day! I have to go and clean up little shreds of paper now!

If you would like to join us in the simple Women's Day Book go over to Peggy's and join us.

Wednesday Jan 19th ... My House

2011-01-19T06:02:00.003-06:00

FOR TODAY Jan 19th 2011

Where in the world is it going!!!

Outside my window...

Dark! It is 5:30 and I have been us since 3:00 am. Asthma and breathing treatment. BUT the sun will rise soon and I will sip my coffee and enjoy the early morning birds flitting around for food. I need to go out and give them something to find......BUT wait, it is dark outside. I will wait.

I am thinking...

I would not want to live the rest of my life with this inner ear vertigo. I have been to the ER early Sunday morning (3 am to be exact) with vertigo so bad could not stand or sit or lie down....... bummer....

I am thankful for..

Antibiotics, Vertigo medicine, and rest.

From the learning rooms...

I have been studying the parables. The one where the husbandman hired some to work in his field early in the morning, some in the noon time and others in the late day. He paid them the amount promised each of them and the ones that were hired first felt that they should get a greater wage. I paid you what I promised, why is it that you want more than those that worked the least. Moral, we may serve the Lord for many many years and others may find HIM moments before their final breath. We all receive the same reward. Eternal life with the Father....... Mercy, we should rejoice that they found the Christ as we did regardless of how long or short they served. It is not like we have missed something for serving HIM longer........ Just saying...

From the kitchen...

I wish it were time for coffee... Hubby still sound asleep and I sure would like a cup of coffee........ Wait, I have a Keurig.......One cup coming up!

I am creating...

This Day Journal for all to read. Out in my shop is three dolls laying on the counter, two bunnies in the drawer waiting on their ears, three stitcheries waiting on a frame or stuffing to make a pillow. This dizzy broad needs to get busy!

I am going...

Absolutely no where. Yesterday I helped my cousin move her dad, (my uncle) to a 24 hour care unit. He is my mothers brother and he is failing pretty fast. Dennis and I took him Mom's twin bed and Dad's Chest an a bed rail to help him in and out of bed. I really should not have been out there working, but that is what family does. He is settled and I pray he does better now that someone will be helping him with his medicine. BUT today, I am staying in. Weather is going to turn later today and they are calling for freezing rain! OMG

I am reading...

The Visitation by Frank Peritti , The Spiritual Man by Watchman Nee, an Paul by Beth Moore.

I am hoping...

I HOPE in a lot of things because the word tells me that Faith is the substance of things HOPED for. Without a vision my people perish. WE must have HOPE for it is what fuels our faith. I HOPE my vertigo is better today, I HOPE that my oldest son Darryl has a safe day on the highway today. I HOPE that Chris my enforcement son is covered by the blood of the lamb. I HOPE my sweet husband Dennis is full of faith and ground in the Lord as head of house. I HOPE each of you reading this today is well and happy.

I am hearing...

A constant water drip drip drip from my kitchen sink. I have a brand now faucet to be installed as soon as it gets just a bit warmer. YEAH........ got to get rid of that drip! BUT at least the water will not freeze while it is drip drip dripping in here and cold cold cold outside..

Around the house...

We completely rearranged the living room this past weekend and now I am looking around the house what I can move next. It drives my family crazy! They say it is a sign of insecurity and control issues. Really? Me? Really? Well maybe just a tad bit... I will let you decide if the tad is the control or the insecurity! Ha!

One of my favorite things..

Deep Dish combination Pizza. Have not had any in months and months. Will not have any for months and months. Need 40 lbs gone first. My shop is MY FAVORITE thing. I love love love my shop. I love to make an create and listen to my Christian music while I do both. It is my favorite place in the whole house to be. I will have more pictures one of these days....

A few plans for the rest of the week:

Not too many plans for this week. Need to get over this inner ear and sinus infection. Cannot drive the car with the vertigo, so I am pretty stuck here.......BUT did I tell you I love love love my shop and that is where you will find me the rest of the week...

Here is picture for thought I am sharing..

You have heard me say I love love love my shop.. so here it is MY SHOP,,,

My Shop when you come in the front door. Totes to go back up in the attic with Christmas stuff.

Behind the counter looking toward the door.

My desk with computer . This is where I sit and create my designs. The window faces outside to the West in front of my house. I can watch all the coming and goings from my desk. But being in the country there is not much coming and going.

My embroidery machine. 15 needles SWF

Miss Priss sitting on the ironing board watching the whole thing. That is the back door of my shop that goes out to the back yard.......

My stash of material.

Doll to be finished, Betty Boop with her cute little body watches over the bits of tea stained lace. She hides it well.

More material and patterns that I have collected over the years. Time to get busy.

If you would like to join us in the simple Women's Day Book go over to Peggy's and join us.

My Day

2011-01-14T08:14:00.001-06:00

FOR TODAY

Outside my window

... Just a touch of snow left from last weekend. My woodpeckers searching for food. I need to get out there and refill their suet. Temp's still below freezing. I am ready for Spring.

I am thinking

...I need to finish the dishes in the sink, but I think I will have one more cup of coffee.

I am thankful for

...forgiveness and grace which allows us to have a clean slate every morning that we rise. I am thankful for my husband Dennis, he is an ever present stability and comfort in my life.

From the learning rooms

...My learning room is my shop desk. I have my bible and study book there for each morning. I am learning discipline.

From the kitchen

...I see out the front of my house. It is peaceful but I so wish for Spring.

I am wearing

...Warm sweat pants and sweat shirt and heavy fuzzy socks.

I am creating

...primitive dolls and appliqued sweatshirts in my shop.

I am going

...to help move my uncle to a 24 hours care center tomorrow. He is my mothers brother. His health if failing pretty quick and needs 24 hour care. It is sad to see him failing so fast. He was in such good health 4 months ago. He said the closing prayer at mothers graveside.

I am reading

...The Oath by Frank Peretti and Paul by Beth Moore. Frank Peretti is my favorite Christian writer.

I am hoping

...that tomorrow morning I find that I am down another lb. I am tired of talking about losing weight. Time to do it.

I am hearing

...Nothing........ except for a slow drip in the kitchen sink. All is well.

Around the house

...I see the need to paint. Spring cannot get here quick enough.

One of my favorite things

...Coffee in the morning's with my husband before he goes to work.

A few plans for the rest of the week

Finish the shirts for the Sheriff Dept. Finish the doll for the doll swap and help with the little house. Time to get it finished.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...Many of my blog friends are in a winter wonderland right now......... Sigh..... I wish we had more snow.......

If you would like to join us in the simple Women's Day Book go over to Peggy's and join us.

UpDate

2011-01-13T22:03:00.002-06:00

Not sure about the bible now..........Something in my spirit is not right. So, will hold off until I make a peaceful decision.

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK!!

2011-01-08T10:09:00.003-06:00

I am going through all my books, for we have many, and among those is a lot of bibles. I am going to donate all of them except one.

Many years ago I was given a Dake bible. I can tell you I just emerged myself into it. I study from the Dake an the Spirit Filled Bible from Jack Hayford. Those are the two that I have my nose in all the time. There are a lot of people that have never heard of the Dake bible and that is a shame...... I learned a lot by reading it along with the other.

I said all that to say this, my Dake that I have had around since the early 80's is small print and I could no longer read it and even with my glasses I had to strain my eyes , so my wonderful husband shopped around and found me a large print Dake! I am in hog heaven.

Now my question to you is what do you think about me giving my old one away here on the blog. It is marked up a lot with scriptures underlined and writing in the front. I just have not brought myself to the place to just give it away indiscriminately.

I have so enjoyed this bible for years now and would love to know that it was in the hands of someone that really wanted it.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

What do you think? Is it a bad idea or would someone out there like to have it? If I get some positive feedback then I will post it with a picture in a few days.
If I give it away I will post a picture of my bible then.

TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK

Reflections of 2010

2011-01-01T23:39:00.001-06:00

Hard to imagine that we are now in 2011. I remember when we went into 2000. All the fear and worry and stress over the computers, and here we are a decade later and I wonder where the time went.

We spent New Years with my brother PE and wife Alpha and we went to Tulsa for the day and visited my favorite place......... The Whole Food Market. They were amazed at the size of the place and the people shopping there.......... We spent two hours there and had a little bit to eat at the deli.

There is walls of any kind of nut or seed or seasoning you can imagine. It is all whole food and most all is raw. I am like a kid in a candy store.

Now some of you might have stores like this where you live but we do not! We go about every two months. They are building one in Oklahoma City and should be finished in early fall.......... I will be thrilled as I do not like going to Tulsa, and Oklahoma City wold be closer...... soooooo it is something to look forward to.

From there it was off to the Bed Bath and Beyond. I needed some coffee for my Keurig coffee pot

(which I just love) an Alpha needed to try some new coffe for her new pot. We got them one for Christmas so she was like a little kid in a candy store when she saw all the different flavors. If you have not tired one, be careful you will get hooked real quick.

Then it was back home before it got too late and the crazies got out on the highways and I had Taco Chicken soup ready and waiting for us when we got home.

They stayed a while and then they headed home. They live about 15 miles from us and they do not like to be out on News Years Eve at night.

Dennis and I stayed up long enough for the ball to drop in NY City and we headed to bed.
I was a little weepy right there at the end of the day and as I laid down to sleep I talked to the Lord about life in 2010 and the changes that it made and I talked about HIS plan for my life in 2011. You see I need a little direction from HIM as I am still in a bit of a haze.
I will be still and read and see where HE is taking me.

I pray that the first day of this new decade brought with it peace for your heart and a smile for your face. Joy for tears and contentment for despair.

Love ya!

Happy New Year

2010-12-31T08:00:00.000-06:00

In the coming New Year let us all strive to

"Love Like We Have Never Been Hurt"

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old lang syne ?

CHORUS:

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.

And surely you’ll buy your pint cup !
and surely I’ll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine^† ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there’s a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.

Happy New Year Girls.........

AND

Better pictures of the house and the lights!

Happy Birthday Mom

2010-12-30T10:16:00.001-06:00

Today is my little Mom's 91st birthday. I always baked her a cake and bought her flowers. Today there are others that are singing to her, others that she has not seen in many many years. What a time she must be having. I know that Dad sang to her first thing. He always sang Happy Birthday to each of us. I miss baking her a cake an I wish that the Father God would let me here the singing, but I will just need to wait.

Happy Birthday Mom.............. I know today's celebration is unlike any other you have ever had.........

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

2010-12-22T21:21:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas girls. I will be signing off now till after the New Year. My sweet husband is home now till the 3rd of January and we are making some plans to run around a few days here and yon.... We will have Christmas here with my son and brother and SIL.

Walden Home 2010

We are then going to work on the little house that belonged to Mom and Dad and get it rented out. I think I will do better if someone is living in it instead of it sitting empty. I have not yet moved Mom's things out so me and my sweet husband will tackle that Sunday. I have a load of things to take to Tulsa an a few things to give away to the two SIL's . I will only keep a couple of hats that I gave Mom for Christmas and her Birthday's over the years.We both have a love for hats.

Other than that there is not much over there. Mom and Dad was not material people and everything they have is mostly of sentimental value and nothing more.

I just need to suck it up and get that little house cleaned out and put it to good use. Mom and Dad would want that. I am hoping to find a woman near my age retired or semi retired to live out there. I think that would be wonderful. I am asking the Father God for just that.

Again I say, Merry Christmas to my blog world friends. Please forgive me for not sending out Christmas Cards this year. Seems my heart is in another place this year.
I have VERY exciting news to share with you in the New Year, actually it is two different stories to tell you. One will be here on this blog an the other will be on the Samaritan Women Among You blog. I am anxious to share what the Father God has done and is doing.

Mom and Dad Christmas 2009

Had I known that it was my last Christmas with them, I would have hugged on them longer and kissed their cheeks one more time.. I would have filled their stockings to running and overflowing with candy and their favorite thing........

Merry Christmas Mom and Dad

Until then...........

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Let your heart be light
From now on,
our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas,
Make the Yule-tide gay,
From now on,
our troubles will be miles away.

Here we are as in olden days,
Happy golden days of yore.
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more.

Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.

Healing of Relationships

2010-12-19T11:49:00.000-06:00

I think I might have said something about the healing that has come to me and my brother Larry and his crazy wife ~~Mary~~ Marty (inside joke) . We went to visit with them last night and we laughed and we cried. I took him a quilt top that was hand made by our grandmother on my mom's , Ida Potts. I have been quilting them and giving them away for a couple of years now. Marty did not want me to have his quilted, as she has a lady that does all her quilting so I took just the top. AND I forgot to take a picture!!!!!!!!! I will have Marty take a picture of it for me and send to me later.

Anyway, Larry is the second oldest and out of all four of us he is the most kind, honest, giving, compassionate human being that I know. He always has been. He was the middle child actually. PE being the oldest and me being the youngest with only 14 months between each of us.... PE just turned 66, Larry will turn 65 in Jan and I will turn 64 in March. My poor mother. There is a sister but she came along 8 years after me so actually Larry was the middle child and we tormented him without mercy when we were children.

PE is an extroverted person with a wild sense of humor he took after the Walsh side. My dad was very outgoing an extroverted. I also am extroverted to a fault thus I too am a Walsh. Larry on the other hand is quiet and introverted a bit and took after my Mom which is the Potts side of the family. Now can you imagine living in-between the two of us for years and years with our Type A personalities! OMG....... It i a wonder he is not plumb nuts!

I think in later years it crated some insecurities in him but being the person that he is, he has overcome them and has a passion for the Lord. We laughed about those years as children growing up and I told him that the Lord used our abuse to make him stronger, so he really needed to thank us! lolololo........... We laughed and laughed..........

Now ~~Mary~~ oops Marty on the other hand is a hoot! Where Larry is pretty laid back and quiet , she makes up for it for both of them......... She is more fun to sit an talk with and let me tell you, she will speak her mind and you might as well just sit and listen. She IS going to tell you.......... Isn't it strange how each of us has our own unique personality but in those personalities we are all individual and different and we add to the lives of others different colors from the color wheel. How sad it would be to be a world of all neutral and gray world. If I had a box of 120 crayons she would be the HOT PINK! hahahhahahahh

Larry would be the light sky blue. What a combination!

We have not been over there since we lost mom so we had some tears to shed over the oh so tender open wound that we all still feel. It was good to talk with him to see how he is doing so I can gauge it with how I am doing. Tender heart is Larry. I gave him a picture of Dad standing tall and proud in his uniform and a young man in the military and Larry was visibly shaken.

It is one thing to know that Mom and Dad are rejoicing with the heaven host but it is another thing when we talk of how we miss them.

It was a good visit. I promised to have a big Sunday dinner one day in January and have them all over. I love my brother Larry I love his funny funny wife Marty. They are my family.

I am thankful that the Father God has healed a relationship that was once so very strong.

It is once again strong. It will remain that way.
What a wonderful gift this Christmas, my brother.

He Came........

2010-12-15T09:58:00.009-06:00

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government

Shall be upon His shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful,

Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6)

I was listening to this song this morning while getting my day in order (what ever that means) My mind was in 20 different places and then all of a sudden my spirit man was stirred and I sat still and listened to what HE was wanting me to hear.

For unto US.........

For you see we are the reason for the season.
He came without hesitation, leaving His crown at the feet of the Father.

He came as scripture foretold.
He came, His future planned before the foundations of the earth.
He came with a whimper in a manger,
knowing that He would die as a result of His birth.
Yet He came.
He came from the Father so we could be reconciled back to The Father.
He came from the Father and He was without sin.

He came in obedience to the Father, so that we could
cry abba Father.
Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Let us rejoice
He came.
He is coming again.

Merry Christmas and with that said let it melt your heart to the real reason we celebrate.

Happy Birthday Dad

2010-12-10T17:19:00.002-06:00

Happy Birthday Dad...... I am guessing the heavenly host sang to you this morning. I am guessing that they did a much better job than I use to but I bet they did not bake you a chocolate layer cake. 93 today and celebrating with the angels and with mom........ I miss you...

I sat in my chair today drinking an A&W Root Beer. It is my favorite. I cried most of the day. Tonight I will eat ice-cream. Not needing your sympathy............Just a listening ear... Just saying..........! Tough day here..

GREAT WEEKEND!!!

2010-12-07T22:09:00.001-06:00

We had the best weekend this past week. You hear me talking about my brother Paul an his sweet wife Alpha all the time, well he was a featured artist at The Paseo Art Walk on Friday night in Oklahoma City. It is a very quaint little part of OKC with little shops and sidewalk cafes'. Every Friday night they have an "Art Walk' and there is one featured artist.

This past Friday PE was the featured artist and so we headed to OKC.

I do not know what happened here.. no idea of why the orange! BUT there he is standing in the doorway..

This is what the door way should have looked like. The outside is actually blue... Very small but such a fun place

Here is the outside color........ and then other gallerias that go up the street are orange and pink..

I was so unprepared for what we found.

there were about 20 art galleries, and each one had a little mini band playing. You could hear anything from hard rock to classical on flutes! Each one had a table set up with a beautiful spread of finger foods and a vast array of hors d' oeuvers.

Here is PE doing what he does so well.............. TALKING ART!!!! We just leave him alone and let him do his thing......... This was a beautiful gallery........

Table full of dolls out of clay... They caught my attention.......

Each store and gallery was decorated with all the twinkling lights.. I wish the pictures did them justice........

It was about two block filled with these little galleries with caorlers on the sidewalk and lots and lots of people!

Street side hot chocolate and cookies YUM!!!!!!!!!

AND

The harmonica man........ playing Christmas carols!!!!!!

PE had to stay with his gallery but me and Dennis and Alpha were free to see the sights.

Do you see the gal standing on the upper balcony? Click on the picture to see her better....

She is a mannequin! There were several standing around the galleries........ If you did not look closely you would have thought they were just people standing around..

We walked both sides of the blocks and we did not miss a gallery. Each one filled every one of your senses with beautiful art which is candy for the eyes and sounds of music for the ears and oh my gosh the smells and tastes of all the different cuisines for the taste! It was such a treat for me and Dennis. We have not enjoyed anything like that in such a long time.

After walking the blocks up and down both sides (which took us over two hours) we ended up at one of the sidewalk cafes' for coffee and Dennis and Alpha to split a delicious blue cheese hamburger! OMG I got just a taste of that......... slobber slobber!! I did not take a picture! Shame on me........ We must have sat there for over an hour drinking the most wonderful coffee and people watching..... and let me tell you there were some people to watch there!

The weather was PERFECT for December. We sat just a few doors down from where PE was hobnobbing with all his friends and people that stopped in to see his art. (He was in hog heaven)

This was outside the door of a very very nice gallery. Me and Alpha and Dennis so enjoyed this one. Good food and lots to see....... It is called "The Elms" The following picture of a bronze statue is just outside the front door.

I think she needed a coat!

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST!!!!!!! MY FIRST VIDEO!
I did not know my camera would take a video......

This young man was so cute!
I caught him on video! It is only 30 seconds long...... take the time to listen...

Did you know that I am going to buy a Cello? it is something that I have wanted to do for a few years now.. So my sweet husband is going to buy me one after Christmas and we look around a bit and then maybe find someone that gives lessons....... How neat is that!

Well, me and Dennis and PE and Alpha are going back to OKC one of these Friday nights and do that again! This time PE will be able to go with us to each gallery and not stay at just one....... I look forward to that!

Hugs!

And a Child Shall Led Them!

2010-11-27T21:31:00.002-06:00

Listen very close at the beginning.. She is thanking him for the new bible. It is very nice of you is what I think she said.........

Hallelujah

2010-11-27T11:30:00.001-06:00

HALLELUJAH!

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah

For the lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah

The kingdom of this world;
is become
the kingdom of our Lord,
and of His Christ
and of His Christ

And He shall reign for ever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever
And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings forever and ever
hallelujah hallelujah
and lord of lords forever and
ever hallelujah hallelujah
King of kings forever and ever
hallelujah hallelujah
and lord of lords forever and
ever hallelujah hallelujah
King of kings forever and ever
hallelujah hallelujah
and lord of lords
King of kings and lord of lords

And he shall reign
And he shall reign
And he shall reign
He shall reign
And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings forever and ever
and lord of lords hallelujah hallelujah
And he shall reign forever and ever

King of kings and lord of lords
King of kings and lord of lords
And he shall reign forever and ever

Forever and ever and ever and ever
King of kings and Lord of Llords

Hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah
Hallelujah

ICE!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-11-26T10:29:00.000-06:00

This is what we woke up to on Thanksgiving Day. ICE!!!!!!! It is far too early to have ice in Oklahoma. BUT we did. It was beautiful, and I caught it just as the sun was coming through the trees in the back field. The picture does not do it justice. It is Friday morning now and it is still there! Temps are going to go back into the 50's today so it will all go away, but it was just a beautiful sight on Thanksgiving morning.

We had TG over at my son's house yesterday and I took my camera but never took it out of my purse! I am so ticked off! BUT Christmas is coming and I will take pictures then.

PE and Alpha were there me and Dennis and Chris. We have such a fun day and great food. My son is getting to be quite the little chef! After we ate we watched a couple of movie on his BIG screen TV and laughed and talked and yes of course took a little nap. Chris was headed to Lawton to be with his main squeeze later that night so we headed over to our house for coffee and cake and just to sit and visit. I wish you could know my brother PE .......HE is just a hoot and he and my husband get along so very well......... We laughed and laughed and laughed. Me and Alpha just look at each other as those two get on a roll.

We did not share stories of Mom and Dad this year as I think they knew I was not able to do that so it was loudly avoided.

They stayed late and after too much coffee and more desert, we divvied up all the food and everyone went home happy. They are headed out this morning southwestern Oklahoma to have TG with her siblings. She has a big family and every year I am always very envious of her. She has two sisters that go and do a lot together and four brothers.

I then talked to my other brother Larry. He wished us a happy TG. His wife's family was there but he wanted to wish us a Happy TG.. Me and Dennis are headed over there sometime this week. She is the SIL that is getting all the quilting books. It has been about a month since we have seen them so we are anxious to get over there.

It was a wonderful day and having it over at Chris' house was a good idea.

I am looking forward to Christmas. We are going to have our Christmas the day after to accommodate for a couple of other family members to be here. It will be here, so I need to spend this next few weeks doing a little more decorating.

I will be doing all the cooking as I have planned something so very different. I am going to cook an English meal with roasted leg of lamb and Yorkshire pudding with roasted potatoes and carrots with brussel sprouts!!!!!! Followed with English trifle pudding an maybe black pudding if I can figure out how to make that. I have been promising Chris and my brother and husband to fix an English meal like I used to and I think that Christmas will be a good time to do that! Makes me hungry to even type it! I promise to take pictures!

I promise........ Some of you might know that I spent many years in different countries and England was one of them. I lived there 3 year from 1965-1968. I lived in a town called Newmarket and learned how to live "English" I loved it! Soooooooooooo it will be English cuisine this Christmas. It will be fun!

Well time for me to do some work here, my shop is full of empty totes from all the Christmas decor and I need to clear them out so I can work on some dolls and Christmas gifts planned for a few folks.......

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you do........We are NOT shoppers after TG......... We stay home and let the rest of the world fight that traffic!

Give Thanks With A Grateful Heart

2010-11-24T09:15:00.002-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving girls.......... I am cooking today. Turkey and ham and my best dressing in the world. I could not seem to get past having Thanksgiving here so we are headed over to my sons' house. My brother PE and wife Alpha will meet us there.

I have decorated the house and everything looks great but my precious son and husband suggested that we go somewhere else this year. I think it is a good idea.

Sending Thanksgiving wishes to each and every one of you and may we always remember to be thankful for the good things that the Father God has provided. Pray for our nation.......

I Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

ATTENTION ALL QUILTERS!

2010-11-17T12:51:00.001-06:00

Do you quilt? Ok..... Then do I have a deal for you. I am getting rid of ALL my Quilters Magazines. I was going to put them on Etsy but I was going to give them away free... So I thought, why pay to list them when I have a blog!

These are very nice, good condition Quilters Magazines. I have many! I am going to give them away, 10 at a time because that is all that will fit into a Flat Rate Mailing Envelope. All I ask is that you pay for the shipping. The flat rate charge is $4.75.

I have not counted my magazines but I am sure that I have close 100 of them. If you would like all of them just let me know and I will box them up and see what the media mail will be.

I thought that I would like to learn to quilt but I am not.. Some of the magazines were given to me by my MIL who is now gone and then a subscription in 2003- 2008, So some of them are newer and some are a bit older but all in great condition.

So the first one to want this group just leave a message. I will be posting picture of others soon. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THE PICTURE YOU ARE LOOKING AT IS JUST A STOCK PICTURE. You may or may not get the ones in the picture.

If you do not quilt but know someone that does. Tell them to come and see.

UPDATE................. ALL THE QUILTING BOOKS ARE GONE. I AM GIVING THEM TO MY SWEET SISTER IN LAW. WHO KNEW SHE WOULD WANT THEM....... SOOOOOOO THEY HAVE FOUND A GOOD HOME......

105 Degrees

2010-11-11T09:43:00.001-06:00

Good morning girls! It has been so long AGAIN since I was here to visit and share.!! I so miss visiting and sharing with you girls! 105 Degrees! NO NO not the weather, a new restaurant that me and my sweet husband found in OKC on Tuesday............. I have seen it in the paper and read about it on line but we finally got up there and had lunch. It was WONDERFUL.

As some of you might know I have been going "raw" for sometime now and I do good and then do bad and then do good and then do bad. You know the routine. I was so excited to go and eat someone else's raw food to see if I was even remotely close to the way it is supposed to taste. I can tell you I have MISSED the mark on taste and my efforts are renewed. My goodness what a treat to the taste buds and it was every bite RAW.

While we were waiting for our meal I was busy looking around the room at all the wonderful things that others were having. I was like a kid in a candy store. I was even bold enough (fancy that) to ask the two pretty little twins sitting next to us what they had in front of them. Lasagna ! OMG......... it looked wonderful and that was what I had ordered........ I was now ready to dig into one of my own.

I actually took pictures!

Now this one is my sweets dinner. He ordered Mediterranean Wraps,, Swiss Chard, Zucchini, Kalamata Olives, Sweet Red Pepper. On the side was his hummus (white stuff) made from Macadamia nuts, olive oil and touch of paprika. YUM!!!!!!!!! The other little dish is Tabouleh, Now this was VERY tasty. Made with sesame seeds, finally chopped tomatoes and finely chopped spinach. It had olive oil and something else that my palate just could not figure out. BUT I bet I figure it out. You dip your wrap in the sour cream (macadamia nuts) and eat it with the Tabouleh. It is kind of hard to see the wraps but there were three of them.

Now this one was mine. OMG!!! Heirloom Tomato Lasagna, Macadamia Ricotta, Spinach, Pesto, Sun Dried Tomato Marinara. I took this with my phone so I did not get a good picture of the layers.. so the next picture is a stock picture from their web site... It gives you a much better view of what each layer looked like.

Mine looked just like that but the spinach was left whole whereas this one is chopped. Now let me tell you about the layers. Bottom layer was very very very thin slices of zucchini squash and yellow squash. Now when I tell you it is thin I mean it is thin. On top of that is a very nice thin (not as thin as the squash) slice of Heirloom tomato. on top of that was a ample portion of the Macadamia Ricotta. It is cheese made from macadamia nuts with other spices. Then again a layer of raw spinach with a ample layer of the Sun Dried Tomato Marinara. Now that stuff is tasty! Then comes another layer with the tomato, spinach and then the basil pesto! OMG.......Taste buds are dancing now! And then so goes the layers and then drizzled with the Olive Oil and sliced tomato on top and sprinkled with a bit more of the Macadamia Ricotta cheese. It was a lot of food and after my sweet finished his meal he helped me with mine! YUM YUM............ I cannot tell you how all those flavors just exploded in your mouth.

While waiting on our meal I tried to take some pictures of the kitchen. It was wide open and you could sit and watch them build your dinner or other dinners. We kept watching and saying "what is that" ....... They were wonderful to watch and you did not hear any noise at all from behind that counter. A well oiled machine working together to create the most wonderful healthy food.

The front of the building was solid glass. It was an incredible building just one year old and made from solid black iron beams and looked to be very 21 century. The inside was purple with white and every thing was spotless and tidy. The servers were very attentive and knew the menu as to make recommendations if needed.

Right next door to the restaurant is a teaching center where they have classes on raw food. They have week long classes for those that are wanting to be chefs and daily classes for those just wanting to learn a bit more about raw food. Each class centers around a certain topic. The blue represents the week long classes and the green represents the one time day classes. Would that be fun or what! Click to read if you want...

We have promised ourselves to go back once a month and taste everything on the menu........... AND to top off our experience we splurged and got dessert!

Blood orange cheese cake! OOPS !!! Got so excited about eating it forgot to take a picture! But yum yum. Cheese cake so smooth you would never know it was cashews, almond milk and drizzled with juice and sections of a blood orange.. topped with pieces of pistachio nuts. Need I say more.

What a wonderful day it was and by the expression on my sweets face no more words need be said.

Helen Denise

2010-10-25T09:13:00.003-05:00

I asked Mom years ago why they named me Helen, she said that after two boys she really wanted a dark haired little girl. That is what she got on March 7th 1947. She said she and dad was thrilled, thus they called me Helen. I do not remember where they got the name Denise but it goes well with Helen. I wish all these years they had called me Helen and not Denise but that was then and this is now.

So I have told my sweet husband to call me Helen Denise now.......... What do you think......
I wanted to share something about my mom this morning. She so loved flowers and hats and earrings. She had a jewelry box full of them. She never went out without her hat or her earrings. She always wanted a little bit of makeup on and a touch of lipstick. Does that sound like anyone you know..... YEAP that is me. Remember the story about the lipstick I posted here a while back? No Lipstick! I have a jewelry box full of earrings and I have a closet full of hats. She and I always worked in her garden when she lived in Roff and I built her a garden here where she had some beautiful flowers. We loved the same things me and mom, I miss her.

Anyway, she always looked so sharp and did not look anything like 90 years young.

The pictures that I posted here is my very favorite of our family. I was not yet three and it was before I was badly scalded. I was born with very curly hair but after being burned it came in very straight and it was dark brown before and came back in black.

Let me show you.....

This is me at 27 and I was on my way to the Senior Prom with my brother Paul. He taught at this school and he hosted the Senior Prom every year. This year, he was still single and I was living at home. My hair was jet black and straight as a string. It was before the bottled color I now wear. Strange huh?
We had a good time.

Those of you with very natural curly hair would most likely tell me it was a blessing and those of you with straight hair would be sad for me as I am my self. So many perms in my life! I love love love curly hair. Anyway, just wanted to share that little bit of information with you this morning.......... I will share one day about the miracle that came about when I was badly scalded. The Lord was there that day..... I guess HE has been in our lives every day watching. I am glad of that.

Pictures of our vacation in the Ozarks and visit with my son Darryl coming soon..

HELEN

Coffee and Root Beer and Good Company

2010-10-12T22:48:00.000-05:00

Me and my sweet DH went out last Sunday night and met up with brother Paul and Alpha. With coffee and root beer and good conversation we had a wonderful night. Brother PE brought me a plant stand with a red ivy that goes back to my grandmother. I need to take a picture.......... Ok........ Just a minute.............

There now you can see what I am talking about.........

We made plans for dinner at their house next week. I am going to make them the BEST soup!!!!!!!!!!

I will post the recipe next week for you, it is amazing soup, great for winter. I promise to post it.

I put up some wreaths from last year, not really into making any new ones this year. I am thinking that I am not going to be very festive this year.

They look ok, could have used a little more flowers but did not want to go up in the attic.

I took the third one over to my son's house, Chris, I put a big black crow on his. It was the wreath that I made for Mom fall of 2008 for her porch. She sat outside in the shade while I worked on the wreaths.

I have no idea what she was saying. But we talked and laughed.

This was the finished product. She loved it...

I will miss them this year. We always had such fun decorating their little porch.

Other than that, it has been a quiet day here . I went out and sat on the porch a while and low and behold, I had a visitor sitting quiet watching and sometimes taking a nap. Can you see him?

Just a minute

Now can you see him?

A cute little tree frog. He seems to be napping under my fall colors. Sssshhhhhhhhh do not wake him.

DH has been off for 3 days and that is always nice. I love being at home with him. Lots of things planned for the next few weeks that I will share, but not today, time for bed.

Hugs

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

2010-10-10T06:06:00.002-05:00

Today is the anniversary of my mom and dad. They will have been married 67 years. I had made plans a few months ago to have a little get together for them. Last year things were not good and we missed having a real celebration for them. This year I was going to have a nice dinner with cake and all the fixins' and have all the kids here..

The Father God had other plans........... I could not even imagine mom being here without dad, that would have broke her heart. The Father God knew that... HE made sure that they would be together this day.......... It hurts my heart but that is me............ Mom and Dad are celebrating like they have never celebrated before.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD

I miss you both, but one day we will have a celebration, a family reunion, but until then, watch for us, we will follow.

Eulogy- Helen Maye Walsh

2010-09-18T11:39:00.001-05:00

Good morning girls. We laid my precious mom down beside my father yesterday around 11:30. It was a beautiful service and something most phenomenal happened at grave site. I will share one day soon.

It was just 72 days from when we laid Dad down to rest that we laid mother beside him.

I do not understand all things that has happened the past 72 days but I guess it is not for any of us to understand all. Both my mom and dad's life were never really in my hands. I was only a servant to them. I did not add to their days nor did I take away from their days. I want to blog about some things that were told me by another blogger, but those things need to wait.

I spoke at my mom's home going and wanted to share it with you.

I will be gone for a while. I am in need of such healing and learning who I am. So take a minute and read her Eulogy .......... it was my mother.. I miss her this morning with an emptiness that words cannot even begin to explain. BUT she is rejoicing with the angles......

**********************************************************

MY MOM

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

My mom was a very quiet, shy almost, she was more introverted than not. She never spoke her feelings out loud and when asked a question she would just cock her head to the side and shrug her shoulder. I wonder sometimes

I never heard her voice her opinion of politics and not even the Christianity that she held private in her heart. Asking her what she was thinking was a lesson at futility. She did not share much

I never knew her favorite color or her favorite food. Come to think of it, it must have been beans and weenies or mac and cheese………. Bless her heart she was a terrible cook.

But she loved hats and flowers and singing.

BUT throughout the past many years you would find my mom sitting in her comfy chair reading her bible. She always had a little note pad of some kind or the other where she would make notes as she studied. Page after page after page she would write. Scripture after scripture she would pen. The heart and the soul and the inner tenderness of my mother lie in these notes written on these pages.

The word of God in Luke 2:19 tells us… But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

I liken that to my mom. Yes she was quiet and spoke very few words, but all those things that she studied over the years she kept hidden in her heart.

How do I know that?

Monday afternoon while laying in her hospital bed she began to talk, oh you could not understand much of what she was saying and my son Chris said it was the most he had ever heard her talk. But every once in a while she would speak just as clear as I am speaking now and it would be the word of God.

Son of God, Lord of Lord and King of Kings………. And the truth shall set me free.
She spoke of forgiveness once and then on to Jesus the redeemer and savior of the world. And on she spoke. Sometime around Monday midnight she began to sing.

Precious memories, In the Sweet by and by . My Jesus I Love Thee..Coming up out of her spirit man was her communication with the one that she knew best. Up out her spirit man came the praise and adoration of the one that she found to be the lover of her soul.

The veil from her eyes were being lifted and she was seeing and communing with things that we can only imagine.

Tuesday morning she became unresponsive and never spoke another word. She had seen across Jordan and nothing else needed to be said.

A quiet woman, yes……. A woman of few words, yes………..but a woman that was rooted and grounded in the faith. A woman that pondered all things that she had invested into her heart……..

And as she was just hours from heavens door she gave us that would remain behind just a peek into the beauty of the heart of a woman named Helen.

She had a personal intimate relationship with the Christ who saved her. And on Wednesday morning around 1:15 am the Christ , the lover of her soul honored her request to go home … and she slipped into her eternity.

I look forward to sitting and talking with my mom one day………. For as she said sometime on Monday…….. and the truth shall set me free……… Mom is home and mom is free and I bet she is talking up a storm……….

This one's with me - NewSong

2010-09-16T12:44:00.002-05:00

Mom Has Crossed Over

2010-09-15T02:01:00.005-05:00

Helen Maye Walsh

December 30, 1919 - September 15, 2010

FAITH WHEN DARKNESS COMES

When the night kneels down by your bed
In the time of your sadness,
Remember O child of the mountains
This word of the law:
The night is the shadow of God
Who made you for gladness,
And your sorrows are less than your strength
Which He foresaw.

Preston Clark

Mom left me this morning around 1:15 A.M. Wednesday morning........ I cannot even begin to tell you my sorrow, but she has been reunited with Dad. She has hugged her mom and the brother that she has not seen in 60 years. She beholds the face of Christ.

Leaving the blog and FB For A Few Months

2010-09-12T22:23:00.002-05:00

My sweet friends. You each mean the world to me and over the past three years plus you have brought me much love, fun and friendship. I am going to leave the blog for a few months, only the Lord knows when I will be back.

As most of you know we put my sweet mom into a Psychiatric hospital a week and half ago thinking that we were doing her a good thing. That was a week ago this past Thursday and this past Friday after only 7 days there I went in and took her out. I am not going to go into all of what happened to her but on Saturday morning (yesterday) I called 911 and had her taken by ambulance to the good hospital.

She has been there since yesterday morning and after all the test we saw the Dr tonight. Mother will be released most likely on Wednesday morning to a nursing home here in town with Hospice. She is mal-nourished, she has gastric bleeding, she has pneumonia, her CHF has been left unchecked and she had to have two unites of blood as soon as they could get her admitted. She had a white cell count of 14 and infection in her bladder. I do not know of all the indignities that she suffered there but I know of a few. In her honor I am not going to publish them.

Mom has quit eating and her protein levels is 4 and I guess that is severe malnourishment.

Both her legs are severally swollen and the right one is very large and very hot. Her feet when I took her out were the size of balloons with a huge blister on the top of one of them the size of a hen egg. Her eyes are sunk back in her head and she has been asleep since Friday at 1:00 in the afternoon. She can no longer walk and has to be in a diaper.

She spits her food out and is refusing her medicine. Mother has decided to go home..

I am considering having her brought here, along with Hospice and home health care maybe I can do it, my son and husband think that it will be too much, my brother tells me to do what my heart says. I will just be still and listen to my heart.

The Dr. said it could be as long as 2 months. I refuse that in the name of Jesus. I pray that HE takes her home quickly. She is HIS beloved and HE loves her so.

I have no other words to say to you right now. I cannot even imagine the days to come. I will get some sleep and go back to the hospital at 4 am or so and I will be there with her and with her when they move her and with her there till HE calls her name.

I will be back when I can, I will post when she crosses over Jordan.
Pray that the Father God call her name soon.......... She has an adoring husband waiting just over the river and he has been standing there just 70 days.

If Not For HIS Word

2010-09-08T20:50:00.000-05:00

Well I went out without my camera. Bummer!!!!!!! Night out with my brother PE and Alpha and son Chris and sweet husband. Today was PE's birthday. Happy Birthday PE. I took him out to dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant here in town called Papa Giorgio's, nice place with GREAT food. We had a good time but I hate hate hate that I forgot my camera.

We are getting some much needed rain tonight and the temp outside is a wonderful 72 degrees.

Now about Mom. I called her tonight and I should not have done that. She is not the same and sounds very drugged up. Her voice is different and I had to keep telling her who I was. She has stopped walking now and is in a wheel chair and she was walking when she went in.

They said her thyroid is all messed up and now she has a UTI and she is on antibiotics. I talked to her for just a minute and asked how she was doing and were they treating her ok, she said not so good and I just want to go home. I thought that my heart would break.

I have been searching my mind for the promises of God more and more each day and reading out loud those that I find to cover my mom. I know that the Father God is right there with her and HE cares for her much more than I do, but right now it does not feel that way.

I have read the scripture in Isaiah 54:4

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

We are not able to carry the sorrow of this world and the griefs that come upon us. I often before today wondered why that paticaluar scripture was there. HE carried the sin of the world upon HIM and saved us from an eternal hell but HE also carried the sorrow and grief that HE knew we would face.

HE loves us and cares for us and knows that the weight of this world will crush us if not for the price HE paid.

HE bought for us eternal life but HE also bore the grief of the entire human race so that we might not grieve. What would life have been without that price that HE paid. The grief and sorrow alone would destroy us.

HE PAID IT ALL.. ALL TO HIM I OWE.

Just Like That- They Are Both Gone........

2010-09-04T09:57:00.001-05:00

Mom is gone. She was admitted to a Psychiatric Hospital on Thursday September 2nd at 5:30 PM. I am broken, but it was a miracle.

Mother has digressed in the past two months to the point that even the home health workers were amazed. We tried everything. We brought her here to live with us (right next door) we fixed up her a little room with everything from her house to make her feel at home. She just got a little worse and little worse. She began to moan more and more and it became constant. She would just sit and say Oh God I want to go home, please let me go home.

So after 6 weeks of that and not knowing what to do , we decided to let her go home. We moved everything back and fixed up her little house and installed cameras and baby monitors and took off the bathroom door in case she fell and we could not get to her. The camera was mounted in the corner of the living room and I could monitor it from my lap top at home. I could see her in her living room/kitchen and in her bedroom. The camera would turn just enough to see the entrance to the bathroom in order for her to have her privacy. I could here everything in the house thus she was safe.

We did that the 22nd of August. We thought she would be so happy, she was at home. That night I went over there to help her get ready for bed and tuck her in, after coming back home and sitting at my laptop I heard her praying. "Oh God please just let me go home". My heart was broken.. I cried myself to sleep.

We continued to let her stay there hoping it would just take a bit of time but as time passed and she began to realize that she was alone and begging me to stay with her. I tried to explain that I could not live out there and then began the wailing and wanting to go home and wanting not to be out there alone. So, I began to bring her over here at night. Let her sleep here and then spend her days in her home. Nothing worked. Nothing.

This past Saturday mother had some sort of breakdown. Her anxiety became very elevated and the wailing became much worse. She quit eating and went to bed. She was just digressing before my eyes. Sunday was the same and then Monday the home health came in and they just had no answers for me. My brother PE came over to see if just a change of face would help and it actually got a bit worse. By Tuesday morning she was still the same and now a bit more anxious so I took her to the ER. After many many tests and CT scan on her head and IV and 3 Demerol shots in 5 hours mom did not calm down.

The ER doctor was very very kind and told me it was the dementia and explained to me that it will turn on a dime. I brought her home and she slept most of the afternoon. Wednesday morning, she was the same and at this point I knew that I could no longer keep my mom. I sat out on her pretty little deck all day Wednesday and just listened to her and cried. I could no longer reach my mom.

Wednesday night I went over to mom's about 8:00 to bring her home with us for the night and by the time we got her to the back door she was out of control. I really thought I would need to call 911 and they would have to give her something to knock her out. She was wailing and slinging her feet and legs and arms and screaming to go home. I finally got her calmed down enough to get her in bed, and she slept all night.

Now--- The miracle that broke my heart........

Great grief, brings prayer from the heart that the mind cannot comprehend . I remember that I fell asleep praying in my prayer language Wednesday night talking to my Father God. Great grief gripped my soul.

Thursday morning she was still the same and it was then that I placed the call to my brother. I have always told him that when I can no longer care for Mom I would let him know and he had promised that he would take care of everything at that point. I made the call. I cried and cried ...

There is a wonderful Nursing home about 30 minutes from me that we have looked at a couple of times. It is clean and well kept and the people are wonderful. He spent about two hours with the RN head of nursing and she was very very helpful and told us that of course mom would have a place to live. She then told him about a place right here in town where mother first needed to go.

They take them (Alzheimer's/Dementia patients ) and take them off all their medicine and clear their system and get them on medicine that will control their symptoms and give them quality of life. She explained to PE that if Mom got down there and they could not calm her down they would send her right back to this facility.
One phone call by me at 3:00 and explained what was going on and my brother Paul hurrying to town as he has Power of Attorney for mom and by 6:00 she was admitted to this wonderful place in the capable hands of a Dr that is a specialist in Geriatric care and grief counseling for those with Dementia/Alzheimer's
.

She will be there 7-14 days and get her off all medicine and then back on just the right medicine to get her back to be able to enjoy life and then she will go from there to the Nursing Home in the near town.
Please pray for mom. She needs a touch from the masters hand.

Just like that..... There were two and now there are none. Just like that Mom was gone from my home and I would never again tuck her into bed at night and kiss her cheek before she went to sleep. Just like that I did not need to try to get her to eat or take her medicine. Just like that she was gone.

Had I known that the night before would be her last here with me, I might had let her stay up longer or maybe I would have kissed her twice. Just like that just 60 days ago I had both my mom and Dad and now they are gone. I broke just minutes after leaving the facility, and I broke bad.

You see I have been taking care of Mom and Dad for over 8 years now. The first 4 was just kind of maintenance with Dr appointments and grocery shopping and necessary things for their comfort. The last 4 years was just about 24/7 and the last year was just constant care and just like that they are both gone.

It is now Saturday and my grief is no better. Mom has called my brother three time begging to go home, but when he asks her where home is she just wails and says she does not know. My heart is broken and I so covet your prayers for my mom. She needs for the Lord to touch her and give her peace.

I believe that this is all from the Father God and HE provided a way for mom to get help and a way for me to not have to grieve anymore over not being able to reach her. HE promises that HE will provide a way of escape for us when things become unbearable and my care giving to my mom had become just that. The last two day she was here all I did was sob. Cannot live like that. She could not live like that. I was begging and begging the Father God to fix it, and fix it HE did.

I am eternally grateful that HE is providing for my mom and that HE loves her more than I do. I am grateful that when we do not understand HIS ways HE is still in control. I am grateful for the years that I have had out here with my mom and dad. I am grateful that HE trusted me enough to put them in my hands. I am thankful that no matter what happens from this day forward there is a day coming that we three, me and my mom and my dad will embrace and then walk the streets of heaven and have no more memory of pain and sadness.

We will just love and laugh.

Please please just pray for mom. She is suffering.

Mom

2010-08-31T08:46:00.000-05:00

Please pray, mom is not doing well at all. We think some sort of breakdown. We have her on new medicine and we are very hopeful. It is such an emotional time for me and I do need the prayer of my friends...

Moving Mom

2010-08-20T09:45:00.000-05:00

We will finish moving all of mom's furniture today. We have shampooed the carpets. We have removed all of Dad's things (that was a tough day) and we have put up things in her house to make it personal for her. Today we will take her recliners home and go shopping for some junk food and small cans of pop. I keep telling her that she is going home tomorrow but she then will ask me where home is. So I have no idea how this is going to play out but we are giving her every chance in the world to live alone.

My husband is putting a viedo camera in the corner of the living room and I can go to the web site and move the camera from my pc to see the living room and the bedroom. We are locking off the back bedroom and bathroom so that anywhere she goes in the house I can see her except the bathroom.

We are taking the bathroom door off so that if she does fall we can get to her without breaking down the door. I am buying baby monitors and placing by her bed and one by my bed so that when she gets up in the night to go to the bathroom I will hear her. If she takes too long to get back to bed I can log on to the web site and see if she is ok.

We are also putting a motion sensor on the ramp going down the porch and if anyone goes up or down it will set off an alarm in my house.

She has life alert and we are going to get a bracelet instead of the necklace and tell her enough times to push the button if she is sick or falls.

I think we have done all we can do to keep her safe I pray that it works for her. We are giving her every opportunity to go home and if this does not work we are going to see about the Assisted Living Center here in town. We have her on the list and it is a wonderful place and they take wonderful care of their little people. They called us several weeks ago but mother was not in any condition to be moved so we turned the room down. Now that she is doing so much better, she is able to live there. I have just prayed about all of this and I am letting the Lord direct me.

I hope to have my life a bit more in control after she goes home, we will see.

Pray for Mom.

Love you gals bunches.............