Wednesday, January 30, 2019

The Wednesday Medley - National Croissant Day


It's Wednesday and that means that Terrie has come up with some questions for us.  We so appreciate Terrie and her providing us with subject matter every Wednesday. 

NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY - January 30

NATIONAL CROISSANT DAY

In the United States, National Croissant Day is observed each year on January 30th. Croissants are a buttery, crescent-shaped rolls that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.  
The key to a perfect croissant is laminating the dough. Laminating the dough is a process by which butter is folded into the mixture creating multiple thin layers of butter and dough. The result is a mouth-watering flaky crust and airy body.
Legend surrounds this pastry, as is often the case with a popular, worldly treat. What is known, is that crescent-shaped breads have been found around the world for ages. One of these was the Kipferl which originated in Austria as far back as the 13th century. This nonlaminated bread is more like a roll.
Credit for the croissant we know today is given to an Austrian military officer, August Zang. In 1939 he opened a Viennese bakery in Paris introducing France to Viennese baking techniques.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Stop by the bakery for a fresh, warm croissant or try making your own using this recipe: Croissants recipe.
1.  Well, I do love croissants when they are fresh, but day-old croissants need to be turned into a donut.  I happen to really like the croissants that have a donut-like glaze on them!  Sugar overload but so good.  So... do you like croissants?  What is your favorite way to eat them?
Oh, indeed I like them.  They are great sliced and chicken salad spread between them and then eaten as a sandwich.  They are awesome just as bread with a meal.  Personally, I do not care for the canned croissants at all but rather those from the bakeries.
2.  Speaking of food... How do you handle stress?
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Well, initially I might have a "come apart" and a really good cry.  Crying for me is so therapeutic and generally after coming apart and crying, I pull myself up by my boot straps and trudge forth.  I have never seen that I had any other choice in the matter.  
3.  Out of the negative emotions of greed, anger, jealousy, and hate, which one would you say affects you the most?
Truthfully I do not struggle with any of these, I certainly have my struggles but it's not these. 
4.  Out of the positive emotions of compassion, positivity, enthusiasm, and initiative, which one is your biggest strength?
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I think and I do believe those that know me well would agree, I am a most enthusiast person.  And, I do love that it is the a most contagious emotion.

5.  What do you get every time you go grocery shopping, other than the staples such as bread, milk, butter, flour, sugar...
Dasani Purified Water, 16.9 Fl Oz, 24 Count
Just about every time I go to the grocery store I buy a case of Dasani water.  I drink a lot of water and this is my favorite and I do much better drinking from a bottle than from a glass or cup.
6.  Please tell us something random about your week so far.

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Yesterday was a beautiful winter day here in NE La.  Predictions were for snow , well, several days ago that was the prediction.  Those predictions changed as the time drew nearer and by night before last the predictions were slight.  But, all except for a  couple of schools in our area called for closure yesterday anyway.  So, a whole lot of students and teachers had an absolutely beautiful snow day off from school, but without the snow.  Here in the south the word snow creates all kinds of chaos because we rarely ever have it so it sort of puts us in panic mode.  Not sure what we'd do if we ever faced what the folks in Iowa, Chicago, Indiana, etc. are dealing with right now.  Oh, my, talk about the shivers!!!

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Saturday 9 - My Favorite Things


Saturday 9

Saturday 9: My Favorite Things (2018)



 
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

Indeed!!! I am very unfamiliar with this version and  I'll leave it at that.  Now, the My Favorite Things by Julie Andrews from The Sound of Music, that's my "favorite" version!!

1) This week's artist, Jennie Abrahamson, is very happy living in Stockholm, but she refers to Paris as "a flirt." She enjoys her time there so much she always wants to return. Is there a place you've visited that tugs at your heart and imagination, tempting you to return?
 

We went on an Alaskan Cruise 11+ years ago and it was such a great trip and I wouldn't mind going again.  But, there's so many other places that we haven't been that we probably will not go again.  We went with a great group of friends and that added to the fun and the special time. 

2) Jennie has said her music has been heavily influenced by 80s pop, which was popular in her early teen years. Are your favorite songs the ones you listened to when you were growing up? 
I enjoy so many genres of music but I suppose the music that I listened to growing up is my favorite.  A lot of that music was the old hymns and they will always and forever hold a very special place in my heart and I enjoy telling Alexa to play them for me in the early morning.  Such a great way to start my day.

3) "My Favorite Things" is from The Sound of Music. Crazy Sam's high school claim to fame was playing Sister Margaretta in the senior class production. Though not a big part, her performance lives on because relatives love embarrassing her with pictures of her in an especially unflattering nun's habit. Who took an embarrassing photo of you? What were you doing?

Have mercy, I don't know that this is all that embarrassing to me but it was so hysterical.  I cannot remember the name of this game but I'm sure many of you are familiar with it.  This was in the summer of 2017 when our daughter came for a visit and she brought the game with her and we played it and laughed our heads off.  What a site!!!


4) The lyrics celebrate "brown paper packages tied up in strings." What was in the last box you received in the mail?

Well, I'm ashamed to say that I get a whole lot of boxes in the mail (thanks to Amazon) but my last one was yesterday and it was a box from Sole Society.  I ordered a pair of boots but they were too big so they were sent right back today.

5) It mentions doorbells and sleighbells. What's the most recent bell or alarm that you heard?

One of my sweet neighbors came by just a few minutes ago to return something she had borrowed.  She rang our front door bell.    
6) This song has nice things to say about cold weather, specifically snowflakes and mittens. What do you like about winter?

Our winters are not generally harsh and it seems that things slow down and are quite cozy and calm.  The above picture is from one year ago.  It was such an enjoyable day and it was gone and life was back to normal.  That's my kind of snow and my kind of winter. 

7) Dog bites and bee stings are singled out as things that can leave us feeling sad. What's most recently given you the blues?


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Oh, my goodness, it would the RAIN!!!  We have had sooooo much rain and I can only take it for so long and it really wears me down.  I need the sunshine!

8) In 2018, when this song was released, Roger Federer won the Australian Open. Are you good with a racket?

Many years ago I played a whole lot of tennis and loved every minute of it.  I tried to find a photo but was unsuccessful.  Was I good?  Well, I'd say I was average.  Part of my problem is that I'm not a real competitive person.  I love to win but I am a good loser and I probably wasn't competitive enough to be a really good player.  But, as I said, I had a really good time for the years that I played and that's what matters.

9) Random question -- Your local zoo announced the hatching of three snowy owlets. All males. You won the honor of naming them. Go ahead.

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Well, let's just go with Hoot, Hooter and Hootie!  That's simple enough, uh? 

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!



Friday, January 25, 2019

It's All About Being Organized


I have been an organizational enthusiast for longer than I can remember.  My parents were both highly organized individuals and my Mom kept a very neat and tidy house.  So, I pretty much came by it naturally.  I do not even give it a thought any more, it's just as natural as breathing for me to be organized.  I think an organized life is a more productive life and a less stressful life.  But, to be organized or not is a personal issue and it truly does not matter to me if anyone else is organized  or not.  Well, that is unless their lack of organization adversely affects me. ~smile~ To each his own. 

I have done a few organizational presentations over the years and I love sharing tips with others that might be helpful to them.  I've had a few folks ask me to share some of my favorite tips on my blog. It seems that folks think more about getting organized at the beginning of a new year than any other time.   I do hope that you will find a helpful tip(s) from what I share today.  And, perhaps you already do some of these, but maybe there will be something you've never tried or known.  Okay, let me get started.......... AND, just so you know, this is a longer than normal post. 



I hope that you can see that this is 3 separate pictures of 3 separate drawers in my kitchen.  I love keeping my ziploc bags and various wraps in drawers that are easily accessible.  You may not have enough drawer space to do this and if not, just do the best you can with the space you have.  I have a spice drawer that has a rubber runner in it to keep the spices straight and neat.  Any drawer could be made into a spice drawer with these runners.  Any space can be organized no matter how large or small.  Many have the idea that it takes more space to be organized but such is not the case.  The less space you have the more important it is to be organized.  And, the more space you have the easier it is to be lax and messy, so it's important to be organized in either case. 


Top left: This is a divided basket container than I use on my kitchen counter as sort of a "catch all." It keeps it easily accessible and neat. Top right: This is a triple divided utensil holder that keeps them very handy and I have them sitting on the counter near the stove.  I have seen these holders at Tuesday Morning many times.  I love the dividers in it and it is really big. This sure beats trying to find a utensil that's just been thrown in a drawer. ~grin~  Bottom left: I have a heavy duty flatware holder and some other organizing trays to keep the other items organized and not just laying loosely  in the drawer.  Right bottom:  This is where I keep all things "coffee."  I'm sure you all have seen the coffee pod holders and then I found this cute wire coffee cup at Tuesday Morning to keep more pods in.  I'm always on the look out for items that are cute and would be usable for organization, especially if the item will be in clear view. 


Top: That is my kitchen "junk drawer." Just because it's a junk drawer doesn't mean it can't be organized.  There are sooooo many different trays that one can use to organize drawers and that's what I used.  You can see the various sizes.
Bottom left: This is a picture of a few of various containers I use for organizing. You can find them at Wal-Mart, Target, Dollar Tree and a host of other places..
Bottom right: This is a cabinet in the laundry room where I have light bulbs and various other items stored in larger containers .


I'm pretty sure most all of you know about these dandy little pill containers.  I use these for both our medications and our vitamins.  Who are earth wants to take the time to open medicine and vitamin bottles everyday when you can use these.  I do mine and Hubby's once a month and then I place them in one of the little rectangular containers with our names on it. 


Top: That is a divided laundry hamper on wheels that I keep in the laundry room.  I've used one of these  for years and years.  I love having our laundry sorted when I go to wash it.  There are 4 sections and that's all I need.
Bottom left: This is a larger container that I use to put kitchen towels and cleaning rags in until I'm ready to wash them with a load of towels.  It sits on the counter in the laundry room. 
Bottom right: I found this awesome basket type container at Tuesday Morning several years ago and it's the perfect size to hold clothes hangers and sits on top of our dryer.  I do have a nice hanging bar in my laundry room but having the hangers in this are far more convenient when I'm needing to hang something up when I take it out of the dryer. ~convenience is important and a time saver~


Okay ladies, if you do not store your jewelry like this, you may want to after reading this. ~smile~  I keep all of my jewelry in small ziploc type bags.  They are actually bead bags that come in various sizes that can be found at Michael's, Hobby Lobby or any other craft store.  I put my necklaces in the larger bag, my bracelets in a smaller bag and my earrings in an even smaller bag and then I put the bracelet and earrings in with the necklace. Then I have the entire set together and I can pull it all out of the drawer together and talk about easy when you travel.  It's ready to go because it's all together. ~again, convenient~ I also write "short" or "long" on the bag so I know if it is a short or long necklace. There are times that I need a larger bag for the 3 items so I use a sandwich ziploc bag.   I had the guy who did all the cabinet work in our new house build me a jewelry drawer that is divided  and I stand all my bags of jewelry in it.  If I have odd pieces then I put them in a bag by themselves, but all my fashion jewelry is in these plastic bags.  In the bottom right picture is a small clear acrylic  case where I keep my watches.  I can see in it, grab it and the case keeps them neat and dust free.  Tuesday Morning usually has a lot of these in various sizes. 


Top left: this is my makeup drawer with 2 clear acrylic trays that I pull out of the drawer and set up on my vanity area when I'm "putting on my face."  It keeps it all neat and easy for me to grab.
Top right: This is a clear acrylic tray with a handle that holds all my makeup cleansers and facial creams and lotions.  It stays in a drawer until I use it every night and I can just grab it and sit it by the sink while I'm doing my "nightly ritual."
Bottom left: This is a bamboo storage container for essential oils and I have all mine put in it alphabetically so I can easily find them.  Again, it's all about convenience. ~smile~
Bottom right:  This is a taller woven basket that holds all my shower/bath items and sits on the end counter of the bathtub near the shower.  It keeps it all neat and easily accessible.


My home office.......
Top left: I use folders like they grew on trees.  These are not file folders, but the folders where, when opened, you can slide papers in each side of them.  I have them labeled with what is in them and then I keep them lined up (Top right) within easy reach of my desktop computer.  I also keep all our vital computer information (passwords, banking info, etc) in a notebook near the desktop (bottom left). Just in case you are wondering, we do have a safe place we keep this when it's not in use. ~smile~ And, (bottom right) is a nice desk organizer where I keep our current travel plans and a host of other info.  It's easily accessible and neat and organized.  FYI, I used the smiley face to hide some private info. ~sorry~


AND, if you do not own one of these dandy label makers then you need to run right out and get yourself one.  I probably use this thing 3-4 times a week.  I have labels on some of my containers, my files, my folders and the list goes on and on.  I have owned one of these since they first came out probably 20+ years ago.  It really helps with organization.


This is my office closet where you can see that I have used all kinds of containers, trays and such and I've used the label maker a whole lot on items in here.  This is where I keep my supplies, our tax and financial records.


We had two storage rooms built in our new house and one of them is full of shelves that are adjustable to hold all of my Rubbermaid type containers with my seasonal decor.  I use the clear frosted type and then I use my trusty label maker to label them with what is in them  


I'm just throwing this hint in as something extra.  It's not really about being organized but I always put the date that we get new routers, modems and the such on them.  That way if something goes wrong I can easily know if it's time to replace them or another issue.  I'm not sure why I didn't use my label maker for this one but it isn't out in clear site so I guess the piece of tape will work. ~chuckle~

Now, you have probably read more than you cared to but I do hope you found something useful in this post.  The sky is the limit when it comes to containers.  They come in all shapes and sizes and in plastic, acrylic or woven and they can be found all over the place.  So, if you are wanting this kind of organization for your home then go get your various containers and get busy. It will make you happy, I promise!

 HAPPY ORGANIZING!!!

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Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Wednesday Medley - It's National Pie Day





Well, I guess there's a day for absolutely everything and today happens to be "National Pie Day."  And, since pies are my favorite dessert, I might just have to celebrate with a slice.  In the meantime I'll answer today's questions centered around NPD.

NATIONAL PIE DAY – January 23


NATIONAL PIE DAY

National Pie Day is celebrated annually on January 23rd. (Not to be confused with March 14 which is PI Ï€ Day.) 
National Pie Day was created simply to celebrate the pie.  It is a day for all to bake or cook their favorite pies.  Even more importantly, it is a day set aside for all to enjoy eating pies!
The first pies appeared around 9500 BC in the Egyptian Neolithic period or New Stone Age.

1.  Okay, fess up.  Tell us your top three favorite pies, please.  Will you have some pie today?



#3 would be Coconut Cream Pie
#2 would be Pecan Pie
AND
#1 is the one pictured above, Oats and Honey Granola Pie. My dear friend introduced me to this pie 3-4 years ago and it's been my favorite ever since.  It's easy to make and freezes beautifully and I always make two when I make it and freeze one.  If you want the recipe just click here.

2.  While we are talking about food... are you a picky eater or are you ready to try almost any new food?  What is the worst thing you have ever eaten?
I do not consider myself a picky eater and I usually will try most anything, it might just be a tiny bite, but I will give it my best try.
Image result for fried oysters

The worst thing I have ever eaten was fried oysters.  Oh, my goodness, it was when I was about 15 years old and we lived in a little oyster village in Virginia.  I just assumed I would like/love them as everyone in that area ate them all the time.  I'm sorry but it was just like putting a fried eyeball in my mouth and I could not even swallow it.  Never, never again have I tried them and I never will. 
3.  Baking could be considered an art as could cooking.  How do you define art?
I would define it as something that is greatly appreciated for it's beauty and that could cover a wide range of things.  A few things might be floral design , decorated cakes,  jewelry making and a host of other thing and of course, painting in it's various forms. 
4.  Tell us a really stupid joke that made you laugh, please.
Our 10 year old Grandson loves corny jokes and is always telling them.  I'm not sure if he told me this one or not but it's definitely corny.
Q: What starts with E, ends with an E and only has one letter in it?
A: Envelope


5.  January 23rd is also National Handwriting Day. Do you have nice handwriting? Did cursive writing come naturally or did you practice in those double-lined practice books until your fingers hurt?

Yes, I do and always have had a nice handwriting.  It came naturally for me and I had to practice very little to perfect it.  I loved handwriting and still do, we just do not use it like we once did.
6.  Tell us something random about your week.
 NOTE: pardon this picture, it's a picture of the article on Facebook


My daughter sent this article to me last week because she has this very American Girl doll with these two exact outfits. I still have them her, and two others, in extreme safe keeping where they have been for years.  This article states that Molly is worth up to $11,000.  I mean really!!!!  We will be going to our daughter's in 3 weeks and Molly and her friends will be taken to her for her to see if there is any truth to this article.  Bridget was older when we got these for her and about all she ever did with them was change their clothes and display them in her room.  They are in mint condition.  I'll keep you posted! ~get rich quick~

Monday, January 21, 2019

Monday's Musings


Well, beyond the shadow of a doubt, it was a real good thing that I cancelled my trip to Des Moines and Chicago this past weekend.  While our weather here in NE Louisiana was nothing compared to there, it was bitter, bitter to us.  Saturday morning was in the high 50's and by 5:00 PM, it was at 38 degrees and continued to drop to the high 20's.  And, we had wind at about 25+mph.  Hubby and I went out for a while and were more than happy to get back home to a warm fire and a fuzzy throw.

Image result for pics of IPhone 10s max

About a month ago I got the latest IPhone, the XS Max.  It really hurt my feelings to pay such a price for a cell phone but I wanted the camera and just decided to spring for it.  The camera in the XS Max is, except for a few features, like having a DSLR camera at your fingertips.  Well, I knew that I needed to learn everything I could about the camera and how to use the various "bells and whistles."  So, I enrolled in the IPhone Photography Academy.  I have already learned so much and I am only about 1/3 of the way through.  It is for anyone who has an IPhone 7 or above.   You take the class at your own pace and it will be available forever.  So, if you are interested in learning all the "ins and outs" of your Iphone camera, you might want to check this out.  There is a fee for the classes.
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Ever since the first of the year I have been seeing posts about the Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.  I had read so much about it that I decided to check it out while I was on the elliptical one morning.  There are several episodes and I chose the one that focused more on the entire house.  I watched about 15 minutes of it and decided that I pretty much had this "tidy business" under control.   The family that she was helping in the particular episode  had stuff and clutter all over their entire house.  It made me crazy and that's when I decided that I did not need to watch it.  I do have, by some standards, a lot of stuff but it is all tidy and organized.  And, as she states in her series, it is a constant effort, something that you make a point to work at each and every day.  And, in the process you give things away, take them to a thrift store or throw them away.  Otherwise, it's easy for us to become a "slave to our stuff." If you are needing some motivation in this area then I highly recommend this series. Her main thread throughout the series is "does this bring you joy?"  If it doesn't bring you joy then you need to get rid of it.  But, I imagine that we all view things that bring us joy differently. And, so it goes...........
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This Wednesday I will begin this Bible Study by Lysa Terkeurst with a wonderful group of ladies.  We are such a diverse group and that only adds to the interest of the study.  We have ladies my age and older and then a large percentage are young Moms barely keeping their heads above water.  I have always enjoyed interacting with younger women and encouraging them along their way.  I look back with so much fondness on the ladies that took me under their wings when I was right where some of these young ladies are at this time.  I'm looking forward to this study that will likely speak volumes to all of us in attendance.
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If you are looking for a One Year Bible then you might want to check this one out.


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Each page has nice margins for note taking and there are images and scriptures to color in throughout, if you so desire.  I read about this on another blog and wanted to share it with you.  If you are into creativity and expressions then this just might be the One Year Bible for you.
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And, I leave you with these...........

No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

Frame every so-called disaster with these words, 'In five years, will this matter?'

The shortest distance between two people is a smile.

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Wednesday Medley


Before jumping into the Wednesday Medley, I want to thank each of you that read and commented on my previous post, Care Giving.  I believe I had more comments than than on any other of my 1100+ posts.  That tells me that is struck a chord with many.  My heartfelt thanks to all of you.  If you missed it and want to read it, you will find it here.



Wednesday, January 16th, is National Do Nothing Day!! National Nothing Day was proposed in 1972 by columnist Harold Pullman Coffin. This day has been observed annually since 1973. Of course, the way to celebrate it is to do nothing! 

1.  To commemorate Do Nothing Day in SOME way, tell us something about your life (or the life of someone close to you) in 1973!! 
I had been married for 2 years and was a whooping 21 years old.  I was serving as a secretary at a church.  I was what you might say, "still wet behind the ears."

2.  Now that we are thinking back, please tell us what your favorite past time was as a child.
My goodness, that was a l-o-n-g time ago but I have some wonderful memories of "playing house."  And, I generally played it all by myself with my dolls and I would talk like I had 2-3 friends playing with me.  I think my Mom use to come and make sure that there were not others in the room with me due to the conversations I would have with myself.  

3.  What is the best way to cheer you up on a bad day? 
Remembering God's faithfulness in the past and seeing the sun.  I can only take so much gloomy weather and especially if I'm not having a particularly good day anyway.  The sun makes everything better.

4.  How old were you when you first started dating? Do you remember your first date?
I really do not.  I did not have a busy dating life for sure. I always seem  to have fun but it was more with groups rather than dates.

5.  Today is also National Fig Newton day.  Do you like figs/Fig Newtons?
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NO! NO! I do not like Fig Newtons.  I cannot stand the ooey gooey filling in them.  I'll take just about any other cookie though.
6.  Tell us something random about your week.

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If you have been reading my blog recently then you know that I was planning to leave this Friday morning headed to Chicago by way of Des Moines.  Well, it appears that Mother Nature is going to cause those plans to change.  A snow storm is due to hit both places this weekend and that will not work with my sister in law, niece and me driving from Des Moines to Chicago on Saturday.  We had such a fun weekend planned and we are so disappointed but I took a gamble when I bought the airline ticket and looks like I lost.  Hopefully I can use the credit for another ticket to have fun another time before long.  Boo! Hoo!

Monday, January 14, 2019

Care Giving



Websters definition of care giving is the activity or profession of regularly looking after a child, or a sick , elderly or disabled person.

Today's post is on a subject very near and dear to my heart.  I have been involved in some form of care giving for 30+ years.  I say some form because mine has been more of an "overseer of care."  I have never, at this time, cared for anyone full time in our home.  Just what I have done and am doing now can be tough and I cannot imagine doing it 24/7 and never being able to escape it.  My heart goes out to the many that fall into that category.


My first experience with care giving or being the "overseer of care" was in 1987.  The time came that my paternal grandparents (pictured above) could no longer live alone.  My Dad was their only child, his only sibling had died many years earlier.  Daddy was pastoring a church in Virginia and his parents lived in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.  Daddy discussed moving them to a facility near he and Mom and that did not go over well, they simply could not imagine moving 1000 miles away from all that was familiar to them.  So, they told my Daddy that they would come to Louisiana where our family lived.  After much discussion between me and my Daddy it was decided that they would move here into a nursing facility.  They were 82 and 80 at that time.  Little did I know what I had agreed to do.  And, you know, it was one of those times that "ignorance was bliss."  If I had had any idea what the next 12 years would hold, I would likely have never agreed to being their "over seer." I made the decision basically for my Dad and he came when he could but that was generally only a couple of times a year.  I was the one who took them to the Dr., made sure that they were getting the best care possible at the nursing facility, and the list goes on and on.  I spent more hours in the emergency room than the law allows.  After 7 years my Grandpa passed away and we felt like my Grandma would not be far behind.  They had been married 68 years and we couldn't imagine her living without him.  But, that was not the case, she lived on for 5 more years and died at the age of 92 in 1999.  They gave me my first training as "overseer" of care.  It was a balancing act for me because our children were 8 and 11 when I took on this responsibility. And, lest any of you misunderstand, there were a lot of blessings that came out of those 12 years as well, but it was still a lot for me to deal with a lot of the time.  But, the Lord knew that this was not to be my last "over seeing" job and He was preparing me for the days ahead and I did not even know it. 


A few short years  later my precious mother in law was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.  She had moved into an assisted living facility before her diagnosis and was able to live there for some time.  Her needs became such that she had to be moved in a nursing facility. Her two daughters lived 8-10 hours away so I often took the lead in overseeing her care. They both came regularly but, obviously, could not be involved in her day to day care.  She was such a lovely and dignified lady and it broke my heart to see what this terrible disease was doing to her. I assisted my husband in making sure that her needs were being met as much as possible and made arrangements for extra help in her last months of life.  I found out very quickly with both my grandparents and my mother in law that any one in a nursing facility had better have a good advocate.  They had better have someone coming and going regularly.  It is the ONLY way that they would get the care that they deserved and to the very best of my ability, I made sure she got the best possible.  My mother in law passed away in January of 2008.



On December 1, 2008, just 11 months to the day that my MIL died, my sweet Momma died.  She suffered a massive stroke and lived about 48 hours.  It was so unexpected and sudden and rocked my world unlike it had ever been rocked before.  But, in time, I realized how blessed she was and we were that she did not live in the condition she was in and the Lord was gracious.  There was no need for an overseer to her care. 


Just about the time I had wrapped my head around the loss of my Mother, my Dad was stricken with Guillian Barre Syndrome (you can Google it if you are not familiar with it) in June of 2011. To put it in a nutshell, he was a vibrant 81 year old man who within 24   hours was flat on his back, and helpless as a lamb.  I spent 3-4 weeks with him in a Shreveport hospital (about 120 miles from here).  My youngest brother came every chance he could from Iowa to help me.  To make a long story short, Daddy had to go into a nursing facility once he got out of the hospital to begin physical therapy to regain use of his arms, legs and to regain his voice.  The Drs. gave us no guarantees on his recovery or if he would even live.  But, within 6 months he had recovered to the point that he could leave the nursing facility and move into an assisted living facility.   It was nothing short of a miracle.  That was almost 8 years ago and he is still at the same facility.  

Over this past 8 years Dad's Macular Degeneration has progressed to the point that he is now legally blind.  He can see nothing but imagines.  He cannot read anything, he cannot see the TV and his world has gotten very small due to his blindness.  But, he manages very well in his little apartment.  I have contracted with a medication nurse who gives him his daily meds and I oversee, very closely, the rest of his care.  

And, I would be lying if I said that I do not get tired of it.  Yes, I do!  He is constantly on my mind and there are times that he can be very demanding.  He can be snarky and I sometimes leave him with tears in my eyes.  And, this does not mean  that I love him any less, but I have been at this "overseeing of care" business for a very long time and I get weary of it at times.  And, I dare say, if anyone of you reading this have been in my shoes, you totally agree.  

I cannot imagine caring for someone 24/7 and I'm so thankful that I can leave Daddy and know that he is getting the best possible care we can afford at this time.  Of course, that is because I stay on top of all his needs and I am his greatest advocate and if you mess with him, you will give an account to ME.  I cannot tolerate folks not doing their job or acting as though the elderly just really do not matter.

So, as tired as I get, as weary as I get, I will ALWAYS be there for my Daddy until his time on this earth is no more.  When I walk in his room and it's 83 degrees I will try to endure because he is comfortable.  When he snaps at me, I will take a deep breathe and do my best not to snap back.  When he forgets what I just told him, I will remember that this might be me one day. When he calls me for the 5th time in one day I will answer my phone happily.  And, when he hugs me before I leave and says, "I do not know what I would do with you," I will continue to get a huge lump in my throat.  And, one day when he has passed from this life I'll be forever thankful for the man that he was, his influence on my life and that I did all I could to make his latter years as comfortable as possible. 

None of us would ever choose to need an  "overseer" of our care or a caregiver but if we live long enough there's a good possibility that we will .  But, along with that responsibility comes privileges that we would never get to experience otherwise.  And, I'm so thankful that the Lord always provides the extra strength that I need just as I need it as I continue on in this thing called, "caregiving."