Saturday, October 29, 2011

Miscellany Monday - Halloween Style

Miscellany Monday @
lowercase letters




Yea! it's Monday and Halloween, what a great combination and Monday means it's time for a random post for MM.  Thanks Carissa for being the "mother" of this fun meme.

Pumpkin Carving....


Now, how much cuter does it get? ~smile~ Clancy and his Momma carved his first pumpkin yesterday afternoon and it appears that he was very proud of the finished product.


Billy Graham.......




I would have to say that I probably have more respect and admiration for Billy Graham than any other man (outside the men in my family) on the face of this earth.  He has had an eternal impact on so many lives and even in his last days he continues to only be concerned about those that are without the Lord.  I am reading his newest book, Nearing Home and what a treasure it is.  He is now 93, in very frail condition but still awakes each day to make a difference in lives.  WOW! may we all be able to say such as we are "nearing home." 



A Privilege or Obligation or Both

Taken a year and a half ago
  I struggle almost daily as I oversee the care of my Daddy with privilege and obligation.  The duty I have as his child is both.  The days I look at it as an obligation, I struggle with guilt but I am sure that many of you reading this know exactly what I am talking about.  There is just no end to the responsibilities that are involved and while it is overwhelming much of the time, it is indeed my privilege to care for one of the greatest men I know. 
Does any of that make sense? I hope so!

The Best for Last.....
Sometime around the end of next May, the Lord will bless us with Grandbaby #3.  Yes, daughter, husband and Clancy will add to their family.  Now, do know that all I want for them is a healthy, happy baby, but I "secretly" would love for Clancy to have a little sister.  But, we'll just love either one too death!  Do I need to say again, Dodge City is too many miles away from us!!!  Boo! Hoo!

May you be especially blessed this new week! 

Friday, October 28, 2011

Weekend Edition - Number 2


It's Friday evening and..........
Hubby and  I are in our recliners, he's listening to the local high school football game on the radio with a headset and watching the World Series on TV.  I guess you would call that multi-tasking. ~smile~  Yours truly decided to do a blog entry.  Now, can you really think of a more exciting Friday evening?  Hey, we really are enjoying it, it's what "older" folks do sometimes. ~did I really just say that~

I'm thinking..........
that fall may have officially arrived, but I have thought that before in the past couple of weeks.  It was very chilly today and I'm noticing that the trees in our area have taken on a gorgeous array of gold, yellow and green.  Surely I'm not mistaken this time!

My Dad is..........
doing okay.  His pain is not as under control as it was a couple of weeks ago but it isn't as bad as it was before they added this new medication to the daily mix.  We had hoped that it would work forever and he would not have to deal with pain on top of everything else he is dealing with.  I am currently looking for him a lift chair.  He tried one yesterday but it was not "the one."  But, I think I found one today that just might be comfortable as well as functional.  We'll be trying it out soon and hopefully it will work.  It's not so much the lift but the fact that he could raise and lower his feet himself without having to call for assistance.  His legs and feet hurt so badly and sometimes just a change in their position will help to alleviate the pain.

A caregiver ................
is one of the hardest jobs on this earth with some of the greatest rewards.  I have to remind myself sometimes of those rewards because I grow so weary with all that I have on my plate some days.  Just like my Daddy said to me last evening, "it's not suppose to be this way."  My exact thoughts but as we know, we do not get to chose these situations and thank the Lord, He gives us the grace and strength to get through them. 




 Tomorrow I'm going to.............
build a big pot of beef stew.  Yep! I can hardly wait.  I bought a small Eye Round Roast today and will cut it up into small chunks for the meat.  I  cannot stand the "so called" stew meat you buy in the store, so I always cut up my own.  It will not be anything but lean meat and once I add the seasonings, onions, carrots and potatoes, it will be perfect!  And, a pan of cornbread will be the "icing on the cake."  Hubby will come in from the woods (tomorrow is the first day of deer season) and he'll be plum excited to sit down to a big bowl of it.  

I'm wondering............
if I'll even stop missing my precious Mother.  It will 3 years on Dec. 1st since her death and she would not believe all that has taken place in those 3 short years.  A lot of it would break her heart in two if she knew about it and some might bring a smile to her face.  I've had so many times that I wanted to sit down and talk with her, tell her my troubles and hear her calming voice.  Just nothing like a Momma!

Blessings for a wonderful weekend! 
 

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

50th Edition of Hodgepodge Wednesday


Yea for Joyce!  She's stuck with us through 50 Hodgepodge Wednesdays.  That's quite an accomplishment and I know everyone joins with me in thanking her for her faithfulness.  I'm always amazed at her ability to come up with questions each week.  Again, yea for Joyce!


1. What gives you goosebumps? Oh, my, hearing a fabulous soloist, ensemble or choir sing one of my favorite songs.  It gives me goosebumps, puts a lump in my throat and raises the hair on the back of my neck and sometimes brings a tear to my eyes. 





2. Halloween-are you a lover or a hater? Okay, that sounds harsh...Halloween-yay or nay?  It would be a yay! I love seeing the little children in their costumes and Hubby and I enjoy giving out candy to the children that come by our house Trick or Treating.  It would be a nay for anything scary, mean or satanic that some folks try to associate with Halloween. 

3. Can you respect someone you do not trust, and can you trust someone you do not respect?  Well, as far as I'm concerned trust and respect go hand in hand, so my answer would be NO!



4. Apples or oranges? Yes, you have to choose. Okay, if I have to choose it would be apples, but if I tell the truth, I'm really not a fruit person.  I know, that's a shame and my Mom use to worry about me, but it's just the way it is.  But, give me a little salt and I can eat an apple.



5. What is something you wish was in your town? (shop, restaurant, attraction, etc) There are so many things that I wish were in our little town, but I would so love to have a Panera Bread.  That would give us somewhere to go for a nice visit over coffee and a bagel.  But, for now, it's McDonald's and Sonic. Hummmmm!

6. What non-food item is in your refrigerator or freezer?
What a great question.........I have my probiotics in there.  I take one everyday along with my vitamins and with all the recent news concerning vitamins, perhaps I should just not even fool with taking vitamins, or probiotics anymore.  Who are we to believe?  

7. Are you at all superstitious? No, if I were, I'd be in big trouble because I've broken more mirrors than the law allows in my life.      

8. Insert your own random thought here. I have been working on my Christmas cards.  I know, it's just Oct. 26th, but I make a huge production out of my Christmas cards.  I always do a Christmas letter, have a card designed with pictures of our family on it and search for just the right return address labels and of course, a holiday postage stamp.  I found that Etsy (www.Etsy.com) has the best selection of holiday labels of any place on the internet. If you've never checked out Etsy, you are missing some gorgeous things by some talented folks.  Okay, back to my Christmas card.......I have decided that the folks that receive my Christmas card do not enjoy receiving it half as much as I enjoy preparing it and sending it.  They likely have no idea the amount of time I put into  them and that's okay, it's a fun project for me. Okay, I think that qualifies as a "random thought." ~smile~ 

Now, for more Hodgepodge, link up here and go visit around.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Hodgepodge Wednesday


It's so good to be linking up with Joyce for Hodgepodge Wednesday today.  I don't always have the time to participate, but  enjoy linking up when I can.  Thanks Joyce for being such a faithful "question maker" and host each Wednesday.



1. How do you typically react in a sudden, extreme, pressure-filled crisis? Would we want you nearby in an emergency? Oh, my goodness, I feel like I have lived in a pressure-filled crisis the past 4 months.  I think I react very well and do whatever has to be done at the time, as they say, I rise to the occasion.  Now, afterwards I may crumble but I will recover and be ready for the next crisis.  And, yes, I think you would want me nearby in an emergency.

2. Caramel apple-caramel sundae-caramel corn-caramel macchiato...of the four, which carmel treat would you choose? 


Hands down, caramel sundae!  I couldn't tell you the last time I've treated myself to one but I usually will get the little ones from McDonald's that are much lower in calories and satisfy my desire as well as the "real thing" from Dairy Queen.

3. Is there such a thing as destiny? Explain.
Destiny is defined as the events that will necessarily happen to a particular person or thing in the future.
So, yes there is such a thing as destiny and each of us determine ours by the way we live our lives and the choices we make. 

4. What's your favorite piece of furniture? I'm referring to something currently in your possession as opposed to something on your wish list.

 I have several favorites, but one would be my computer desk in our home office. I think it is a beautiful piece of furniture and I spend a lot of enjoyable hours sitting at it and if I'm not at the desk then I'm in my recliner on my laptop.  So, guess my recliner  would be a favorite too. ~smile~ And, in case that sounds like I am on a computer all day long, that is FAR from the truth.  I have more to do than stay on the computer, but when I am on the computer, I do enjoy myself. ~smile~

5. Wednesday night marks the start of the 2011 Baseball World Series. Did you know? Do you care? Will you be watching? Ever been to a professional baseball game? If you're not an American do you find the title 'World Series' annoying or amusing?  The only reason I know is because of Hubby.  No, I do not care, not a bit and I will likely be sitting in the room with Hubby while it's on, but I will not be watching.  Yes, I have been to a couple of professional games but only because our son was "into" baseball when he was a kid.  And, you know a Momma will do or endure about anything for her children. ~ grin~

6. A sound that takes me back to my childhood is____________. 


Oh, I can still hear the jingle of the Ice Cream Truck as it came by my Grandmother's house.  We lived too far out for it to come by our house, so I always loved being at my Grandmother's and she would give me a nickel or dime as I ran out the door to stop the truck.  Oh, me, I'm really dating myself on this one. ~wink~

7. On average, once you've linked your hodgepodge post to mine how many other participant blogs do you visit? Do you ever come back to the Hodgepodge later in the day or even the day after to read posts? I usually check out a couple immediately and then come back throughout the day and check others.

8. Insert your own random thought here....I froze almost all day yesterday.  We had our first cold snap, 54 degrees and I didn't get warm until I went to bed last night and nestled down in the covers.  Tomorrow morning is suppose to be 34.  Goodness, might have to actually turn on the heat. Of course, it will likely be 70 on up during the day.  I think Fall may have fully arrived here in Northeast Louisiana.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Miscellany Monday

Miscellany Monday @
lowercase letters

Well, I'm getting this entry done way later than I like to, but decided to just go ahead and join in the fun.  After all it is still most definitely Monday and Carissa didn't say the posts have to be linked up in the morning.  I'm still trying to find my new "normal" and blogging just has to fit in when it can.


one - lowercase

i am going to do my best to do this whole entry in lowercase letters.  do you know how difficult that is for me?  but, each week i think how much better it would be if i fully participated in this meme, so today is the day.  it's all lowercase letters for me!  aren't you impressed carrisa!



two - homecoming


i am quite certain that the neighbors probably wondered what in the world was going on at our house this past saturday late afternoon.  we had the lovely group of kids pictured above over having a photo shoot in our yard.  now, know that each kid you see in the above picture had a set of parents that came with them, thus, it was a yard full!  i couldn't help but think, once again, of how times have changed. my goodness, homecoming was a special event when i was in high school but there was no dance and no "froo-froo" clothes. i mean, that was saved for prom. there was enough excitement generated by this crew to feel a mile away. oh, to be young! 


three - flipflops


one of the mothers at the photo shoot had the flipflops pictured above on saturday afternoon.  i thought they were the cutest and of course, they are lsu flipflops. yea, tigers and yea lsu! 


four - pistol packin' momma


okay, girlies, does the above picture scare you?  it does me!  hubby has been wanting me to learn to shoot a pistol and then he wanted me to take a concealed weapon course that was offered this past saturday.  i wasn't crazy about either one, but because i'm such a good wife (giggle) i decided i would.  he took me out shooting last week so that i would not be in total dark when it came time to the shooting part of the class.  i took the course, passed with flying colors (wink) and will now apply for my concealed weapon permit.  i know, i look way too girlie for such don't i? but, i am glad that i took the course, i know so much more than i've ever known about a gun and gun safety and think i might could use that little "baby" if i actually had to. but, just in case you are wondering, i do not plan to conceal a weapon at this point.  now, it might be laying on the seat beside me in my vehicle.  so, don't mess with this "southern belle." ~smile~ 


five - planting time


fall and spring are my two favorite seasons and one of the reasons is because of the flowering plants offered at each season.  i love pansies and hubby and his helper planted about 8 - 10 flats of them around here last week.  i usually do them myself, but my time is so limited so hubby came to my rescue.  it made me so happy to come home and see the pots filled and ready to "do their thing." 



      

Friday, October 14, 2011

Update on Daddy - Blessed Relief

It is with a joy filled heart that I share with you that Daddy has been pain free and slept through the night the past two nights.  This is a first since June 9th!  The Drs. have worked to find just the right drug combination to free him of pain, but nothing has seemed to work until this past Wed.  Dad's Dr. here, in Bastrop,  has apparently "hit" up on the magic formula and Daddy is a "new man."  We are praying that it will continue.  Daddy said he never realized how chronic pain could kill your spirit and confuse your mind.  It is amazing to see the difference in his attitude and of course, our hearts are rejoicing!




Last Monday evening our church held it's annual Deacon's Supper.  They always invite any retired ministers that are members of our church to attend.  Daddy decided that he wanted to try and attend.  So, with a lot of effort on every one's part, that was made possible.  This was his first social outing since June 9th.  He enjoyed seeing everyone but only lasted about 45 minutes.  He was still in a lot of pain at this time and just all the rigmarole of getting him there intensified the pain. As you can tell from the above picture he came in without a jacket and hat but within 5 minutes he had to put on his jacket and hat.  He gets cold very easily.


I wish I could report to you that his feet and legs were showing some sign of recovery, but that is not the case.  They just simply will not work and of course, since it has been 4 months, we can't help but wonder if they will ever work, even slightly.  And, without there being enough recovery in his legs to support himself, he knows that he cannot ever go home.  That's a tough one but we continue to ask for a miracle and we live with that hope.


Our heartfelt thanks to each of you who continue to be faithful prayer warriors on Dad's behalf.  It is those prayers that have brought us through and continue to give us the strength for each day.  Blessings to you all!



Monday, October 10, 2011

Miscellany Monday

Miscellany Monday @
lowercase letters




I'm always excited when I get to participate in MM with sweet Carissa.  And, I love that it's just "random thoughts" because that's about all I can come up with these days. ~smile~


ONE - The Birthday Girl


Our little Princess turned 2 years old recently.  If you have been reading my blog from the beginning then you know that our little Princess was adopted at birth.  It is a day that will be forever  etched in my memory and I have such a special, special place in my heart for Mom's such as her that choose LIFE!  Hanna Beth's birth Mom gave our family the most precious gift and she truly is our Princess.  For now, her parents (our son and DIL)  have opted not to have her face shown on the internet, but let me assure you that her face is just as precious as her backside. ~grin~ 

TWO -  My Breakfast


Unless I am traveling, I do not eat much for breakfast and don't want much for breakfast.  Now, I gotta have my coffee and I've recently started putting a little Nutella on 5 Vanilla Wafers (only 5) and it "hits the spot" perfectly.  I was using Peanut Butter and  grew tired of that and decided to try Nutella.  Yummy is all I can say!!!  Love it!


Three - Boots and Bronzed Shoes


I have had the first shoes of both of our grandchildren bronzed for their parents.  I did it for our children's shoes and I've always thought they made a lovely keepsake.  Bronzing has come a long, long way since I had our children's done, now there's a choice of antique bronzing and I think it's such a good look.

Both of the above pictures are of our Princess' shoes.  Don't you just love those rubber boots.  Talk about something coming a l-o-n-g way!  She will definitely be "styling" during the wet weather. ~smile~

 Four - Four Months Ago Today


Yes, it was 4 months ago today that my Dad was stricken with Guillian Barre Syndrome and it has been like a raging storm in our lives ever since.  Our lives, and mainly his, will never be the same but we are grateful that we serve a God who is capable of calming any and all storms that come our way. It's a daily task of placing our faith and trust in HIM.

May you all be extra blessed this new week!