Awards

Please forgive me this morning for being such an idiot. My head is in LaLa Land and the rest of my body in bed. I totally forgot every thing on the draft and my head is spinning, but wanted to thank Mary from Crash and Smash and Deena from Deena's Story (Please use my links on the sidebar) for the wonderful awards they gave me.

The Lemonade Award is from Mary and The Biggest Heart is from Deena. Thank you both for thinking of me.

The one thing that this bug can't take from me is my Prayers and I have been doing a lot of that lately. I did work in my craft room a little while last night. My meds had me wired like some crazy lady. I tried to go out and drive and was quickly home again with my head spinning like in the Exorcist, only (sorry) I can't upchuck Pea Soup with part of my stomach wrapped around my esphogus. Not sure if it's the flu (shame on me for not having my shot), but it sure feels like last year when I got it and I did have my shot---go figure.

Today I am feeling somewhat better, but I think I will take it easy for the rest of the weekend. Last night while organizing a few things, I found things I had been looking for---what a surprise.

Please keep Joyce (Secret Garden) and her sister Jerri in your prayers. Joyce is away from her family and Jerri's baby is not due, but problems have arisen and will require an early birth. I haven't been to her blog yet, so the baby may be born already. Joyce, please know that I did read your email and have been praying that Mother and Baby are doing well.

Hope your favorite team wins the Super Bowl. I need to find my earplugs, because Al really gets into the game. I am actually hoping he goes to our son's so I can rest. Have a great weekend---hope the ice and snow is soon gone for those affected by it. Love and Hugs, Pat

Beautiful Awards from 2 great ladies

Here is the official info on the award:What this award is about...Bloggers who show great attitude and gratitude.What you have to do...Upon receiving The Lemonade Award, you also pass it on to other bloggers who you think show great attitude and gratitude.Here are the rules:1. Put the logo on your blog or post.2. Nominate at least 8 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!3. Link to your nominees within your post.4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.
So here are the blogs I will pass the award to:

Beautiful

Thrift finds and surgery---What a combo!

Here are a few of my thrift finds. I think I will use some of it for future giveaways or to alter things. I can't resist bling, even though it is not always old, there is just something about it that just draws me to it.

Today I had a wonderful day. My nephew stopped by to visit and show me his new daughter's pictures. She is a cutie, but haven't downloaded any yet. Will get to hold her on the 8Th and I am so excited.

Except for Saturday night, I have been feeling good for the first time in a long time. I really wanted to go the ER Saturday, but all I could picture were IVs and no eating, so I curled up in a fetal position until I fell asleep.

My doctor's nurse called this afternoon and I will be having surgery this year, but not on my back. My gyno doctor wanted me to have my breast reduced because of the neck, shoulder, and back pain, so my pain management doctor is going to recommend it also. Now that is one surgery I will not be afraid of. My sister has already warned me that it is very painful for the first week, but if it does what it did for her, I am all for it. Not sure when I will do it, but it will be done this year. I see my gyno next month for my yearly breast exam, so we will get it all set up. Not happy about having my girlie's pictures taken, but they have to be sent to the insurance company for approval.

I plan on taking before pictures and after, but not sure where I will post them. I may post them on photo bucket and give the password to those who are interested, if any.

What do you do or say when you find out almost 9 years later that what your surgeon did to you was a cause for malpractice? I often wondered why he treated me so good and never sent me a bill. I am so naive sometimes that it's scary---duh, what was I thinking of at the time. He no longer is a surgeon and I hope that he didn't hurt anyone else. I should have known something was wrong when we kept asking for a surgical report and weren't given one. I want to email him, but not sure if I should do it or not. I want answers, but will probably not get any.

Have any of you seen Prayers for Bobby? I taped it and cried like a baby. I had a dear friend who had aids and Sunday he died from pneumonia. He sent me this beautiful short letter, telling me how he appreciated me loving him, even with his sins. He was married and has 2 children and was given experimental drugs that have kept him alive for 20 years, 15 years longer than the doctors gave him. He was one of the 600 people who was given a free cruise with Rosie O'Donnell and he came back with the most beautiful memory of his life, even pictures of them together. Hate the sin, but love the sinner and now I truly believe that God has given him grace and he no longer suffers. We will be going to the wake tomorrow night. Please keep Keith and his family in your prayers. His daughter's house burned down last year, so she is hurting already. He was a good father and a good friend.

Well I am going watch "The family who Preys together" by Tyler Perry. I am a fan because his movies always have a spiritual message to them, but some people just don't get it. Love and Hugs, Pat

I Hope you Dance

Today is a great day and I had to share this with all of you. A former co-worker and I have kept in touch and he is always sending me inspiring emails. This one is by far the best and I just had to share it with those who believe. I hope you take it and share it with your friends and family. Love and Hugs, Pat

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Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing 'dance' at the end of the word
And I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.
The movement doesn't flow with the music,
And everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.
When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,
Both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back
Or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.
It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness,
And attentiveness from one person
And gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.
When I saw 'G': I thought of God, followed by 'u' and 'i'.
'God, 'u' and 'i' dance.' God, you, and I dance.
As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust
that I would get guidance about my life and once
again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings
And mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God,
Trusting God to lead and to guide you through each
season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
Please share this message with someone else.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards; so let's continue
to pray for one another.

And I Hope You Dance !

Beautiful Award from Amy

I recieved a really nice award from Amy at http://abundantcuriosities.blogspot.com/Here are the rules:

#1 The winner may put the logo on their blog

#2. put a link to the person who sent out the award

#3. nominate 3 blogs

#4. put links to their blogs

#5. leave a message for your nominees

Joyce at http://thesecretgardner.blogspot.com/

Connie at http://connie-livingbeautifully.blogspot.com/

Mary http://isabellascloset.blogspot.com/,

Greatest News in a long time

I left the doctors office with tears of joy. No surgery---it's only a bulging disk---Yea! And we discussed the pain pump, after I researched more about it and I don't like the idea of morphine being used. He asked me if the trigger point injections he had given me helped, but he had only given them to me in my belly for the scar tissue. He apologized and then starting pressing on my spine until he hit the point and I jumped off the chair. He then wanted to bet me $20 that I would feel relief, but I told him, no bets. The injections were very painful, but the relief was good. The numbness has worn off and I hurt really bad again, but in a couple of days, the injections should start working. He is really a great guy and he turned his back and said I needed to punch him because he deserved it. The pain pump can cause infection, and since I have already had 3 bouts with staph, that will be a last resort. He did suggest that we get a table that flips and stretches the spine and do it about 8 minutes each day. So now I will go every 8 weeks for injections until there is a need for the surgery. If any of you have ever had 14 surgeries in 5 years, you would know how I feel right now. It was a good cry that I had, but it was tears of joy. I still won't be able to do the things I used to do, but at least I will find some relief and do some crafting again. Thank you all so much for the prayers and thoughts that you said and sent me. It has helped me so much that words are just not enough.

It's only forward now and what could be better. God is so great. Love and Hugs, Pat

Just a Little Nervous today

Well the day has arrived and we are leaving in a few minutes to get my results. I can't say that I am not nervous, but I feel like it will be good news, even though I will still need the pain pump---better than surgery.

We almost have the decorations down, so hopefully I can tolerate the pain and get some spring cleaning done early. One of my friends is going to paint for me---getting rid of the wallpaper and painting the room a soft brown color.

I will return tonight and hopefully have some Great news. Love, hugs, and prayers, Pat

Banner giveaway at Isabellascloset

Mary at Isabellascloset is having another giveaway and this one is a beautiful Valentine Banner. Stop by and leave a comment to enter.

http://isabellascloset.blogspot.com/

Sorry I have been absent, but I still won't know anything about my MRI until Thursday. The pain has been unbearable, so I've been spending much of my time in bed with a heating pad under the warmth of my electric blanket. Not sure when my doctor is going to put the pain pump in, but will find that out also.

Al has been helping put the decorations away and from the looks of things, it may take until February. Not sure my back can handle this anymore, so only the big things will come out next year and the little things will stay packed away. We are considering getting a 9ft tree and getting rid of some of the others. The smaller trees are easy to handle, but all the 6's are just too much, so I'll keep my gingerbread tree and snowman tree, because they stay decorated and covered.
I have been sitting in the bed and making candy bouquets. This passed Sunday, the benefit raised over $3,700. It was a very long day and I called Al before I left to get my injections ready. I didn't win a cake but I won some nice prizes and that night I won $125 and picked up orders for Valentine bouquets.
Well I am going back to packing boxes for Al to put away. I hope those in the "cold" stay warm. Have a great day and savour each new day. Love and Hugs, Pat

Prayers needed for a Sweet Friend

A very sweet blog friend is very ill. Deena @ Can I be pretty in pink is very ill and is not eating. Please use the link in my favorites to visit her and encourage her to eat. There are many women in blogland and my former MSN group that have encouraged me through my battles---you all know who you are and I am asking you to pray for Deena with all you have or believe.

I myself, am waiting on my MRI results, but I can tell you this much, I could use your prayers again also. I will be having a PC pump (pain control pump) put in. I will explain more after next Thursday when I see my doctor again.

Also keep my friend in your prayers. Her 14 year old granddaughter was hit by a car today and killed. Martha has lost her husband, a child, and now a grandchild and she is my age. Blessings in return. Love and Hugs, Pat

Kellogs recall

I know that I am posting twice in one day, but for those who haven't seen the news, I hope that you go to this link in case your family enjoys Kellog's peanut butter crackers like I do. 5 people have died and many are sick from Salmonella poisoning that were linked to the products that are listed in the link.
I am hoping that by reaching people who don't know about this, it will help save lives. I get my protein from peanut butter because I don't eat red meat unless it is ground as in a hamburger. With those who are fighting cancer or weak immune system like me, you can't be too careful these days about what you eat. Please take this link and help save someone from getting ill or worse.


http://health.msn.com/health-topics/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100231343&GT1=31036

You know you are from Louisiana

I got this email from a friend this morning and I hope it brings laughter to those who don't live in Louisiana. Would love to see if you have any sayings about your state.

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

You know you're from Louisiana when...
-Your sunglasses fog up when you step outside, even in December.

-You reinforce your attic to store Mardi Gras beads

-You don't look twice when you see pink flamingos in yards of nice subdivisions during Mardi Gras.

-You save newspapers, not for recycling but for tablecloths at crawfish boils.

-Your ancestors are buried above the ground .

-You drink Community Coffee, have tried Starbucks, but don't see what all the fuss is about. (YEAH!!!)

-You take a bite of five-alarm chili and reach for the Tabasco.

-Every once in a while, you have waterfront property .

-You sit down to eat boiled crawfish and your host says, 'Don't eat the dead ones,' and you know what he means.

-You don't learn until high school that Mardi Gras is not a national holiday.

-You push little old ladies out of the way to catch Mardi Gras beads.

-Little old ladies push YOU out of the way to catch Mardi Gras beads .

-You believe that purple, green , and gold look good together.

-Your last name isn't pronounced the way it's spelled.

-You know what a nutria is but you still pick it to represent your baseball team. -Your town is low on the education chart, high on the obesity chart and you don't care because you're No. 1 on the party chart.

-Your house payment is less than your utility bill.

-You know that Tchoupitoulas is a street and not a disease.

-Your grandparents are called 'Maw-Maw' and 'Paw-Paw.'

-Your Santa Claus rides an alligator

and your favorite Saint is a football player.
-You cringe every time you hear an actor with a Southern or Cajun accent in a 'New Orleans-based' movie or TV show.

-You have to reset your clocks after every thunderstorm.

-You're walking in the French Quarter with a plastic cup of beer.

-When it starts to rain, you cover your beer instead of your head.

-You've eaten at one or more of these restaurants, AND know how to pronounce them: Prejeans, Tu Jac 's, Gallatoire's, Ralph & Kacoo's, Brunet's, or Mulatte's.

-You eat dinner out and spend the entire meal talking about all the other good places you've eaten.

-You call home just to find out what your momma'nem are having for supper tonight.

-You actually get these jokes and pass them on to other friends from Louisiana.

Any of you from Louisiana will know these to be true.

Wonderful and Creative blog I found

I believe that I have my creative muse from a link of one of the bloggers I enjoy seeing. There will be tutorials starting Friday, kits available, and a giveaway. I hope to spend lots of time getting my creative juices flowing again.

http://joli-paquet.blogspot.com/

I have been in a slump for over a year, but things look brighter each day. I will be having my MRI done on Friday to see how much degenerative damage my disks have since my last one. We will also know if surgery is needed and if not, I will be having a PC pump surgically put in to control my pain. I really could use your prayers right now. Al gave me an injection last night, so today I am going to continue to put Christmas decorations away---yep, they are still up, but with help they will soon be put away. Thanks for stopping by and I wish all of you a warm cozy day. Love and Hugs, Pat

Just another Day of Cold

These are my 2 gc and Jacob is as tall as me or should I say short!

Well I have been in a deep "funk" since Pop's death and I know I need to "snap" out of it, but the new meds have not kicked in yet. I am sorry I sounded like a "cry baby" for not having any followers---I'm off the Pitty Pot!

I did manage to make a beautiful candy boquet and will post a picture later.

Al gave me money to play bingo and I won $125, so was able to get some shopping therapy at my favorite store--"Bon Will". I am hoping that Hobby Lobby has marked down their Christmas things to 90% off because I want some more flocking for cards and crafts. I bought all the pink, but they still had lots of red and green left, plus some felt embellishments that would be nice.

We are expecting temps in the teens at the end of the week and that's not the cold I like, so will probably grab a good book and stay under the electric blanket. I am hoping I can avoid back surgery a little longer, because it just may be the cold that is making me hurt so much with every move.

Would you believe that my Christmas decorations are still up! Maybe after an injection, I will be able to start taking things down. My Mardi Gras things are usually up by now and not even sure I will pull them out. I want to start crafting again and sometimes you just have to skip a year of decorating. Who knows!

Well as we say here in the south, "I'm fixin to take a shower" and get dressed for my appt. I hope you all have a great day doing what you like to do. For those that are sick, I do pray you get better soon. Love and Hugs, Pat

Easy truffles to die for

Since I can't do much of anything right now with my back, I thought I would share a simple and very easy way to make truffles. I wish I had taken a picture of the box my sweet dil gave us after she finishes them, but she sent me the picture she had. They are all the same, but she uses different flavors and different colored dribbles on them. I made some 2 years ago and take my word for it, the hardest part is the dipping.

Ingredients:

1 box cake mix (any flavor you like)

1 can frosting (flavor of cake mix)

chocolate melts or almond bark.

Bake the cake according to directions and let cool.

Crumble the cake up and mix with icing. I chilled

mine to make it easier to roll into 1 inch balls, then

chilled again.

Melt chocolate according to directions and dip the

balls and lay them on wax paper so they lay flat.

Melt a different color of chocolate melts and dribble

over the balls. After drying, trim away the dribbles

like you see in the photo and there you have it.

You can also try putting a cherry inside the ball or

finely chopped nuts. Heidi has used every kind of

cake mix available and everyone loves them.

Thank you Heidi for letting me share this with my

blogger friends. Love and Hugs, Pat

These are some of the cool stuff I found during some thrifting days. The glasses are my favorite and my mom had these when we were young. The little kitty was too cute to pass up and my string is ready when I need it.

I
I scooped up the pink sewing box filled with old wooden spools that sold for 15 cents, but not sure how old they are. The ornament is Eloise and is a Christopher Radko, which I don't collect, but was too adorable.

Some more of the fun stuff I found at a thrift store and Goodwill. The little crown is very tiny and will probably fit a doll. I love the beaded flowers and may use them on something altered.

These are just a few of the vintage cards Chris sent to me. She sent me lots of cute little Valentines that we used to make boxes at school with a slit in them and pass them around. Oh why did I throw out mine, is beyond me. You can click on the photos to see a better view of them.

I wish you could feel the cards with their flocking and glitter, but I just love these. Some are not even signed.

This is another vintage card from Chris that I just love. Not sure what I will make with it, but it's too pretty to mess up!

I found this neat shadow box at Caring Hands, but a man was already buying it and I didn't know, but when he heard me talking to the lady about my son not being able to come home for Christmas and I had a display of NYC things, he said I could have it. What a sweet man.

Prayers for Joyce and her friend

Today I am asking you for prayers for Joyce's (secretgarden)friend who passed away yesterday after a short battle with cancer. She was only 49 years old and leaves behind children. She is from my home town in Crowley, but not sure if I know her personally. I meet so many people at my craft shows, so by face, I may know her family.

Joyce was with her and that to me is a gift. Joyce, you are all in my prayers and I hope the poem gives the family some comfort. Big Hugs to you.

I am stuck in bed today waiting for the doctor's office to open. Will explain later, just keep us all in your prayers.

A Beautiful Little Boy

I have been so busy with other things, that now I have time to show you the cutest little boy around, who is still fighting and putting up a good one. For those who belonged to our craft group, this is Carol's (Cajun) new grandson. She brought newer pictures but in all the haste, we forgot to scan them on my computer. He is just the cutest little premie and I know he is going to be spoiled. Again, Congratulations to Victoria and Jeff and to Carol. Please say some prayers for him as he is still in the hospital and will probably be there for a while.

I am so envious of her and I am hoping that soon, my daughter will call me and tell me she is getting married and will have a baby. Love and Hugs to all.

What a way to start the New Year

This is what Donnie sees from his window and across the street. Oh how I wish I were there, but it's white right now and very cold, so hopefully in the fall, I will get to go.


I am so ready to start boxing up everything, but we always wait until the 5th. It seems as though the trials are continuing---my aunt had to have an emergency surgery last night for an obstruction and lost 6" of her large intestines. Luckily she became very sick, other wise, it would have been worse. She is doing good today and we are all grateful.





Even though the last 8 years have been hell, I have so much to be thankful for and we have received so many Blessings from God, family, and friends.





The 5Th officially starts Mardi Gras Season, but the King cakes are already in the stores, not to mention Valentine. I didn't go to any after Christmas sales, but hoping that Joannes will still have these organizers for glass ornaments that I Need!





My Joys today


Blessings from God


A beautiful email from Donnie


My aunt is okay


Deena is doing better


Our weather is nice





I wish all of you, better days ahead, but I am sure most of you are like us---tightening our belts and forgetting about the "Wants" and concentrating on the "Needs". I did some more organizing and I just cleared a space to work, so hopefully I can get back to what I like to do. Have a great weekend. Love and Hugs to all.

Angel in the Clouds

Today started out a very good day. I was still up waiting for the New Year to ring in and Bryan sent this photo he took on his way to Lake Charles. I don't know if you see it, but I certainly do and he was over joyed when he saw it and stopped to take the picture. At the top of the photo, it also appears to be a man in a cowboy hat, which his dad used to wear. I love cloud formations and this one just made my day.

I have so much to be thankful for, even though it has been a rough year. God has given us many blessings and we are thankful to him that we are not faced with a financial crisis as so many people are. But like everyone else, we have to tighten our belts and give up a few things that we like. I did spend part of the day, cleaning up my craft room and making space to work.

I hope that all of you have a healthy, happy, and joyful year. Love and Hugs, Pat