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Baby Lizzy

2012-01-29T11:39:00.000-06:00

Lizzy is growing so fast and I miss her----haven't seen her in 2 weeks, so I am having baby withdrawals. She is sleeping good and just found her hands and it is so cute to see her eyes cross when she sees her hands. She is a loving baby and Heidi is having so much mommy time until it's time to go back to work in March. She will have to sleep when Lizzy sleeps as she works the night shift and daddy Jonathan will be her caretaker at night.

In other news, I am now on insulin for me diabetes and a very strict diet. I did cry and even though diabetes is not a death sentence, it was the cause of my dad's death---diabetic stroke. I watch all the carbs and sugar now and I do miss eating chocolate, but it's been over a year, so I am used to it. No candy for Valentine's Day this year.

Even though I have been awol lots of times, I still think of all of you who have come to share comments or just leave a little note of hello. I pray everyday for most of my blogging friends that they may see good health soon and not have to worry about money. God always provides our needs and not our "Wants".

I would like some prayers for my aunt (my dad's youngest sister) She just found out that she has cancer again and it doesn't look good, but the doctors say it is treatable with chemo, but she is so weak, that I am wondering when they will be able to start the treatments. Thank you in advance. Her name is Ruby and I lived with them when I first got out of school and she found my first job working in a dry cleaners checking in clothes and waiting on customers.

Well I wish you all the best and love and wishes to you all.

Baby Elizabeth

2011-12-31T13:01:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone. Here is a picture of our new granddaughter, Elizabeth Jean, weighing in at 9lbs 4 ozs and Heidi had her natural after 2 sections and without any pain medication or epidural. She was the talk of the staff at Women and Childrens and she almost had her at home. By the time the medics picked her up, Lizzy was born within 1 1/2 hours, so they made it just in time. Big Brother Jacob and sister Theresa were thrilled when they met her and they cried with joy. Lizzy has red hair and is a chubby little angel.

I wish you all a Happy New Year filled with good health, wealth, and happiness. Al's surgery went fine and he will be going back to work on the 11th, so all is good on the home front. All my best wishes.

Hello my friends

2011-12-13T11:50:00.000-06:00

To say it's been a long time is an understatement. I have been feeling down with no energy and the diabetes is getting the best of me. Al is having surgery in the morning, nothing major, but please keep us in your prayers.

I have been anxiously waiting the arrival of my granddaughter, Elizabeth, but it looks as though Heidi will keep her due date of the 19th. She has been having contractions and is 30% efaced, so it should be anytime now, just hope it's not tomorrow. I want to see my grandchild's birth. The hospitals aren't far from each other, so I would have no problem getting there.

I have been doing a little crafting and made some cute little angel earrings. I wanted to make them into hanging charms for your windshield, but my hands shake too much to string beads.

I miss everyone and will try to visit while Al is recuperating, because he won't be able to sit at the computer for long periods like he does now because of where the hernia is, so I will get undivided attention on the computer.

I have already gotten some very nice gifts from friends and one was filled with gingerbreads. I did put up my new white tree and decorated it with gingerbreads and if I could find my camera, I would be able to take a picture. Al wants to buy me a new one, but I know my old one still works and takes decent pictures and there are other things I could use.

We will be spending Christmas with our son and family and I will do all the cooking since Heidi won't be able to do much after the baby comes and we have invited a couple we know to join us. The more the merrier.

My wish for all of you is to have Peace and Love at Christmas time and always. I do hope everyone has a safe Christmas and if you must drive in the snow, please be careful. Love and hugs, Pat

Good days

2011-10-15T14:15:00.000-05:00

I had my epidural last Wednesday and I am feeling really good. I still have bad days and the ruptured disk hurts so bad, I could cry. I also went for my 3 month check up and my glucose level was 6.1 which is really good. I also lost 7 lbs which is due to the diabetic diet I am on. I do cheat, but not very often, because I am afraid of being on insulin, because once you are there, it's for life. Got my flu shot and it put me down for a few days. Almost felt like I had the flu. All in all, everything is good. I try to keep a positive attitude about my illness, but sometimes it's truly hard.

My dil is getting big and she looks like she could be carrying twins, but she isn't. We have a shower planned for her and her family is giving one also, but it's too far for me to go. I don't handle travel very well anymore and sometimes just an hour in the car is brutle. I did manage to craft a few things for the shower, so I have been keeping busy.

Not much else is going on. I wish you all a Blessed weekend with lots of love

Beautiful Day

2011-09-29T12:02:00.000-05:00

Today is gorgeous and we are in for some cool weather this weekend. I am so looking forward to it. I want to get my winter clothes out and freshen them up and wash some of them.

Why is it so hard to lose weight when you get into your 60s? I have been following a very strict diet and can't seem to lose much weight. It's sort of depressing because hardly any of my clothes fit. Praying that the winter clothes fit, because we have been saving for my craft room. My sister is so tiny and sometimes I envy her, but I don't have as much stress in my life. The girl is in a constant moving mode, so she tries to gain weight and I wish they could take from me and give to her.

Life is good, but I lost a dear friend because of a bad situation that he mistook and we have been friends for over 40 years.I'm not even sure why he got mad, because all that was mentioned was the utility bill and he got really mad. Friendship for him means doing everything for him and if you make the slightest mistake he gets angry, but this time it is really bad. He did call me and say he just wanted to be left alone and not have any visitors. Not sure if it's his bipolar speaking because he has so many ups and downs. Guess I don't need a friend like that in my life. It hurt so bad that I cried for hours until my chest started to hurt. That's what made me realize that I was only hurting myself and I really need to take care of myself.

Our granddaughter to be is going to be a big baby. My dil is really big and she still has 3 1/2 months to go. She said the doctors will give her an idea on her next ultra sound as to how big the baby will be. We are planning a baby shower and dates keep getting changed, because of her work schedule and my sisters, so I may end up doing the shower alone. I know my son will help because he is good with fixing party food, so I am not worried about taking it alone. The baby's name will be Elizabeth Jean and we are praying for a redhead. We have one already, but it would be nice if this little angel would have redhair.

Well wish I had photos to post but haven't been doing too much. I really need to get busy and make my Christmas cards or else I will be sending out store bought cards. I've got a new white tree and hoping I have the energy to at least put out a few decorations. I'm getting too old to do what I usually do, but each year I say that and they all come out anyway-lol.

Wishing you all a Blessed and Happy weekend.

Horrah for Fall

2011-09-21T08:14:00.000-05:00

Well fall is upon us and I couldn't be any happier. Fall is my Spring and I am hoping I will get the energy I used to get at this time of year. Not much going on in my life except the anticipation of our new granddaughter. My sister and I are giving her a baby shower as she has nothing since her youngest is 11 years old and talk about an excited young girl.I think she will make a great big sister and she is already making plans helping her mom.

I got my first flat tire ever and I was grateful that I was only a mile from my sons house, so he fixed it for me. There was no way I could even get the lugs loosened, much less get the spare from underneath our car. That is the only thing I hate about my PT cruiser.

I am still having problems with my hands and it takes forever to type a post, because they shake a lot. This was caused (the doctors believe) from the stroke I had. My handwriting is horrible and signing my name is shameful, but I have to live with it. I do use a little rubber ball to exercise my hands now, because it was getting worse. The heart attack left me drained and I am just able to sleep better at night.

Well hope you all have a nice Hump Day. God Bless

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-29T11:34:00.000-05:00

I pray that everyone who lives on the East Coast was spared any damage or flooding. I was worried about my son in NYC and as things turned out, he missed the subway to go home in Jersey so had to stay in NYC with a friend in the Bronx and wasn't able to get home until this morning. Not sure if his flight to Oregon was cancelled or not, but he was supposed to fly out this morning.

I'm doing well considering the 100 degree weather we have been having. It is too hot to do anything or go out and the air conditioning is straining to keep us cool. I for one will be happy to see fall next month with cooler weather. I am not much on winters anymore but this will surely beat the heat and humidity we have. We are predicted to have some 80 temps at the end of the week and hopely that will help cool things off. A couple of weeks ago, I had to drive in a lightening storm and it was not fun or pretty. Several homes caught fire from lightening strikes and the strikes came awfully close to me. It was the longest drive in memory.

Hope everyone is well and doing good. I miss blogging, but too tired to get on sometimes. Since my heart attack, I have been a little depressed off and on and it's the one thing I thought would never happen to me. Oh well life goes on such as it is.
May you all be Blessed. Love and hugs, Pat

It's a Girl

2011-08-03T13:37:00.000-05:00

We just found out the sex of our future grandchild and it's a girl. I am thrilled and so excited and can't wait until December but like everything else, I have to wait.

My diabetes is giving me hell and most of the time, I am so hungry, but there is very little that I like that is on my list of foods. At least I can have fresh fruit because that would have done me in. I ate some wonderful carrots the other day, only to find out that's a no no on the list.If anyone is a diabetic, please share how you managed. Love and hugs, Pat

Peek a boo, it's me

2011-07-25T14:36:00.000-05:00

Well it has been a long time since I have been here and not much has changed except my health and I wish it were good news, but I am now on diabetic medication. I always prepared myself for it but nothing can prepare you. Everyone in my dad's family are diabetics and it's not because of our diets, because I rarely eat sweets, I eat a low carb diet and watch every little thing I eat. It's genetics at it's worst. But I am dealing with it, but I am tired all the time and don't feel like doing much. My craft room has been put aside and I rarely go in it, because it is a mess but hopefully this coming year will bring better news for the new craft room. I don't give up on my dreams very easily, so there is still hope for me having one big room.

My family is doing fine and next week I will find out the sex of my soon to be grandchild. They went on a family cruise together with Heidi's mom and family so this may be their last trip for a while. My baby turned 37 today and it's hard to imagine me having a child that old. My grandson has a girlfriend and she is the granddaughter of our former governer. He will be 15 next month and time sure has flown by.

We rented out the big house that we all own and I have a friend who is staying with me for a short while and doing work around the property for us. My sister fired my brother because he was too undependable.

"We have been getting rain every day now for a month and today was the worst. It has been raining cats and dogs since early morning and has yet to let up, but the farmers need the rain, so we are tolerating it. It's hard keeping the grass cut and I was dumb enough to fertilize it, so by the time it gets cut, it's time to do it again.

I am out of the loop, so I will try and visit as many as I can. I miss all of you and hope that every one is fine and healthy.

Well going to check out some blogs. Love and hugs and many prayers for everyone.

Just peeking in with news

2011-06-30T11:06:00.000-05:00

Well things have not been good for me in the last month. I got a bad case of pluracy and pneumonia and did not know what pluracy was, but soon found out how painful it was. My white cells were 17,000 and I was feeling like a sick dog, dragging my feet. After many tests, they found out the problem and treated it but it was hell and I pray never to go through that again. I am just getting out of the bed after resting for 4 weeks and not being able to breath very good. My strenght is coming back and Al started moving things around in my craft room.

Hope you are all fine. Love and hugs, Pat

Prayers Needed

2011-05-29T17:59:00.000-05:00

Sorry I have been away, but things are complicated right now. I lost a friend through selfishness and I don't think I want that drama in my life anymore.

My doctor is detoxing me right now so I need prayers right now. I have been going through withdrawals and nothing but nausea, the shakes, and headaches, not to mention I have to endur the pain for 7 days until this is over. Then he will put me back on them again. My body got used to them, so he said I was addicted to them and needed to stay off for a week. I also have to have an MRI on my left shoulder. I fell like a fool and did something to it and he doesn't want to treat it until he knows what it is, so that will be done on Tuesday.

I talked to my former bil today and we had a nice chat. I miss him and he has said he is going to come and visit me and Al. He's like a brother and is the sweetest, kindest, and selfless person you would ever want to know. There has to be another woman out there for him, but he has yet to find one. I think he is stilll in love with my sister.

Well I wish you all a safe and wonderful Memorial Day. I think Al might bar-b-cue some steaks, even though I don't eat beef, so I might get him to get me some pork to eat instead. Still love you all and miss you.

My aunt

2011-05-18T12:14:00.000-05:00

Well my aunt is now buried and the funeral was so beautiful and they buried her in a site called the circle of trees. So as a gardener and lover of plants and trees it is a beautiful circle of trees and she is in the middle of alll of them. It was a sad day and we all gathered at her house to remember all the great times we had with her. She always smiled every day and never let stress get to her. Even when she gardened she had her face done up and she had her little yorkie with her at alll times. She was a wonderful aunt and we visited her many,many times. I will miss seeing her smile and she was always a gracious hostess when we visited. Thank you all for the prayers. Here daughter Sandra will be the one who misses her most, because at 4pm every day, they had coffee together and just talked about their day.Sandra is with the Sheriff's office and many of her workers were there and they made a line for the coffin to pass through. Her 3 children will miss her very much as they were a close knit family and she had many grandchildren and a few great grandchildren.
I know she is walking on golden paths with many flowers to tend to and she is now with her other sisters and brother and my dad. Her journey has just begun and I know it will be a wonderful new journey for her. Love and hugs, Pat

Sad news

2011-05-14T12:54:00.000-05:00

"Today I have bad news. My aunt died yesterday after a battle with alzhemiers. She sufffered, but the last 2 weeks went by fast and she rested and was out of pain. She went peacefully yesterday afternoon. Please pray for my cousins and her sisters who are very sad today, but Aunt Beulah is out of pain and her new journey has begun. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Love and hugs, Pat

Happy Mothers' Day

2011-05-07T14:07:00.000-05:00

Just wanted to drop in and wish you all a Happy Mother's Day. I wish my mom were here, but I know she is watching down from Heaven. My children will not be able to share in my day, but they will all be coming down in November to share in our 40th anniversary. They are giving us a party and we will renew our vows to each other. I thought about getting a short gown to wear, but I think I will stick to a dressy dress or pants suit, maybe a tunic style in a soft beige or pink. "They are working long distance to get this done but my sister is helping them, so that will make it easier to do. It will be our 40th and it just happens to fall on a Saturday, so that is great also. I never had a real wedding, so I am excited about this.

My daughter is very thoughtful and she got me the perfect gift----a Lowe's card. I know that may sound silly to some, but with the money we are saving this will just be added to it for my bigger craft room. I wish I could part with more things, but as I went through some things, I thought about what I could make and do with a lot of it. There is a lot that I can use in another giveaway because I have so much lace and ribbon, I will never use it all.

Again, Wishing you all a very Happy Mother's Day. Love and Hugs, Pat

Shaky hands

2011-05-04T14:42:00.000-05:00

I have not been blogging a lot lately due to the fact that my hands were affected by the stroke and heart attack.. We couldn't figure out why my typing was getting so bad and I had to back space so much. Also my handwriting is horrible now. We pulled out old cards from years gone by and my handwriting has changed almost 100%. My hands are constantly shaking and I tried beading on a card and it just isn't there anymore. I wanted to cry and sit on the pitty pot for a while, but won't go there. There are far too many people who are worse off than myself and I pray for those who are sick or hurting just about every day.

I have been going through some of my craft things and trying to organize, so I can move back into my old craft room now that the roof is fixed. I may have to get rid of one of my large desks but if at all possible, I will try to fit it in.

So other than that, I am doing okay and miss blogging, but I have lost my camera and have no idea where I placed it, but I know it's probably somewhere so I will continue to look for it. Might have to check Al's desk and see if it was left there. Have a great week and a great weekend. Hope you are having some beautiful weather. A friend in Colorado said they just got 6 inches of rain---in May. Love and hugs, Pat

Freshly painted house

2011-04-23T11:30:00.000-05:00

Well our little cottage is almost finished with the new paint job. Only the north side is left and the first picture shows the house scraped from the old paint and ready to be primed. Our littel house is about 1500 sq ft and just right for us. We moved out of the big house because it was just too big to handle, but now I regret it because I would have a large craft room with french doors leading into the living room. "The room was a formal dining room that was rarely used and the bedrooms were much bigger. We chose to buy instead of renting even though it was cheaper to rent and we didn't want a big house again. You have seen most of the inside although only with Christmas decorations. I like my little cottage and wouldn't trade it for nothing.

This is the house all painted and fresh. That's my PT in the front. Will try to take more pictures later. Some people are lucky to live in large beautiful homes, but God must have known what we needed to buy at the time and I am not ashamed to tell you what we paid for it. He must have known that I would get sick and this way we won't lose our home due to medical bills like so many have done. I appreciate the simple little house and it is cute inside. We did all the work ourselves except for 2 rooms of carpet. We got this little house, it was a repo from a couple who lost it because of medical bills and paid $17,600 for it and is now appraised for nearly $90,000, so we did good in my mind. We thought about selling it but we still have room in the back of the house to build me a bigger craft room, which is on hold right now because of a leaky room in the back part of the house. I am a happy camper in my little cottage and we hope to add some gingerbread trim to it to give it character because right now it just looks like a white house.

I hope you all have a great and Blessed Easter tomorrow. My son and his family willl be joining us for lunch. Love and hugs, Pat

What I learned from the Easter Bunny

2011-04-21T12:33:00.003-05:00

                                                    All I need to know

                                           I learned from the Easter Bunny!

                                       Don't put all your eggs in one basket.

                                    Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.

                                  There's no such thing as too much candy.

                             All work and no play can make you a basket case.

                                    A cute tail attracts a lot of attention.

                                  Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.

                                Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.

                                   Some body parts should be floppy.

                            Keep your paws off of other people's jelly beans.

                        Good things come in small, sugar coated packages.

                         The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.

                  To show your true colors, you have to come out of the shell.

                         The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.

                              May the joy of the season fill your heart.

                                    AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

Happy Easter to all of you

2011-04-20T14:21:00.000-05:00

Just dropping in to wish you all a very Happy and Blessed Easter. Hope you don't eat too much chocolate. I used to be addicted to it, but I have broken my addiction and it wasn't that hard to do. All I had to do was think about taking another pill for diabetes and that did it for me.
They just finished painting our house and got our insurance reinstated. Can you believe that is the reason they were going to drop it. Only a small section in the back needed to be painted, but they were being strick on their clients---so there went my craft room. I did cry, but I know that Al will save some more money and get it built. At least we had the money to pay someone to do it. So now it is a crisp new white cottage and it really does look better. Wish I could have helped them, but there was no way my back could take that.
So now I have to get busy and clean out closets and rooms to get ready for my garage sale. I wouldn't be lucky enough to make enough for the craft room, but I do have furniture for sale and lots and lots of things to get rid of. I have already given some things to my friend for a girl he knows that does crafts and anything left over, she can have. She is into altering things, so I'm sure just about anything I have will do.

Again, wishing you and your families a very Blessed and Happy Easter. Love and hugs, Pat

Donnie in France

2011-04-08T12:35:00.000-05:00

My son is having the time of his life and I am so happy for him that he is a globe trotter now. His next trip will be in the fall when he visits London. I hope you enjoy the pictures he posted.

I have photos of him at the Effiel Tower, but I don't think he went up in it. He is due home next week and has many other villages to visit. He went to the beach there, but I can't remember the city off hand.

In other news, I had my yearly girly mammogram and so far, I have not heard from them, so all must be well. I do have a cyst that I would like removed because it can hide a cancerous cyst, so I will be talking to my doctor about having that done towards the end of the year. I have to wait because of the Plavix I am taking.

Al is slowly getting the work done on my old craft room and I have so much to go through and get rid of, but it will be an easy task with my friend helping me. Yesterday, I tried climbing 2 flights of stairs and almost didn't make it. My heart was pounding and I almost lost my breathe. Now I understand why the doctor didn't want me climbing stairs so soon.

I have not been a nice blogger as of late. Too many people to visit and not enough time in the day. I tire easily, so I usually end up on the sofa, falling asleep. This is not the norm for me. I could never fall asleep on anything but my bed.
Well going to try and visit some blogs and catch up on everyone. Love, hugs, and many blessings.

Hello to Life

2011-04-03T14:54:00.000-05:00

I have been given major thoughts on living lately and I find I enjoy the little things more than the big things. Going to be having a garage sale and getting rid of a lot of things that are no longer needed or haven't been used in over a year. Things have begun to clutter my life and I want a much simpler way of living. Even the tiny flowers on my confederate jasmin have brought me joy with their wonderful fragrance. Of course I have friends who suffer from hay fever, so they can't even go near them without sneezing.

Well we had an emergency and had to use the money for my craft room and we are lucky we had it saved. It has been raining in one room in the back of our house and a new roof on the section was needed, so the room is on the back burner. I did cry, but was happy we didn't have to borrow money to do it. My friend has been helping me and Al a lot lately, so we have been paying him to help in the back yard. We had some rotted eaves that have to be replaced and our insurance company is going to drop us. Our agent said if the work is done soon, they may consider reinstating our insurance. I cried like a big baby because we went out to get new insurance and it is going to run over $1,000 more a year and that's a pain where it doesn't need to hurt, if you catch my drift.

Since I will be downsizing, my existing room may be big enough to house all my cubes in the old craft room, so that will make me happy. As long as I have a place to work( not the dining room table again) I will be fine until we save up enough again to build the room of my dreams. Dreams should never be pushed aside, so I will keep on dreaming if it's the last thing I do.

My oldest son, Donnie, is in France right now and having the time of his life. He called Friday before he left the airport to say bye, he always does that, then he called from France to say he had made the trip safely and was already out taking in the sites. He plans on going to London in the fall and is already planning that trip. I am happy for my young globe trotter. There is so much of the world he wants to see. I have a niece who lives in England, so hoping they can meet.

Well, the heat is on over in the south here and although I am happy winter is over, I wish spring would last longer for us, but 89degrees is not my kind of weather. I do hope you all are doing well. I go for my mammogram this week and as always, I worry for nothing. Yes, I am a worry wart and worry about everyone and everything and haven't learned to just let go. See you later. Love and hugs, Pat

Good news from the doctor

2011-03-26T09:50:00.000-05:00

Today my sister is picking me up to go and paint. The doctor said I could do a little but to rest every now and then. It's something I like to do, so I am happy and not feeling so depressed. We had a big emergency and had to use my craft room money, so I am stuck with the 12x22 for now and that's okay, because if we didn't have the money, things could have been worse, so I am grateful that Al saved the money. I know my dream will come true and it was just a little depressing, but I quickly got over it when my head realized common sense prevails and we didn't spend it on anything else.

I have been in touch with an old friend from the 60s and he wass very sweet about things and remembered things I had totally forgotten. Now I don't have to worry about my son meeting his biological dad, because he doesn't want to have anything to do with his other 2 children. What do you call a man like that-----I would have to say a deadbeat dad, but I could use worst words to describe him. I just feel for my son because he wanted to meet his siblings, but as he says, "Mom, life goes on and maybe someday we will meet by coioncidence.. That's my son, always looking at the bright side of things.

Well my sister will be here soon, so I will close with a wish for a great weekend and many prayers, Love and hugs, Pat

Joyful Blessings

2011-03-22T12:07:00.000-05:00

As of lately, I have been a little depressed over the heart attack, especially since I had no symptoms. It makse it all scary and I've got one man who is scared too and even though I can tell, I don't think he knows that I know. He is always doing things for me, which is good sometimes, but making me feel so dependant. I guess you could call that a good thing, but sometimes it just feels over bearing. I am so thankful that I have him in my life because the scary would be more than it is. I see the cardiologist tomorrow and I hope to get some answers. I am not the kind of person who sues people but missing the blockage is another thing and it could have prevented the heart attack in the first place. The doctor who did it is now working in his office and is an associate and that makes it even worse.. Plus how could a radiologist have been so sloppy and missed something right in the front. This is one I will have to think over carefully.

Other than that, my life is good. I complained a lot about the craft room not getting started, but he goes on vacation next week and is starting then. Some of the plans have changed a little and it might not be as big as I would have liked, but we don't want to over extend ourselves. I do have lots of old crafts to sell in a garage sale and I am only keeping a few crafts that I do all the time----when I do craft. I have some adorable material that will make some gingerbread aprons for the little ones in my life and the little chef hats to go with them. It's a really cute apron that I bought for the pattern and my sister bought the hat and said I could take it apart. I have 4 little grand nieces who will love helping their mom's bake and cook.

I have saved some money and I will be going to a Super bingo on the 16th of April and the pots are all $1,000, plus 2 super jackpots of $5,000 and $2,500. It sure would be fun to win one of those. Last night I went and my number to bingo was the next number up but someone beat me to it. That's how the game goes---it's all luck. But my friend and I enjoy going every now and then, so it's fun and I get to see people I have come to like.

Well I hope this wasn't too boring. I love you all and you are always in my thoughts and prayers. Love and hugs, Pat

Happy St.Patrick Day

2011-03-17T05:59:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all a Happy and Lucky St. Patrick's Day today.
I go in of blood work today and will know if my liver is okay and the rest of the things they need to know I just pray my cholesterol has dropped and I can cheat on my diet. Have a great day. Love and hugs, Pat

Beautiful Weather

2011-03-11T14:07:00.000-06:00

After all the bad weather we had last week, today is gorgeous and I wish I could be outside working in my garden. I have a friend we hired to come and tear down a small shed that was once a playhouse that was devoured by termites from our neighbors tree. Except for a chill in the air, I couldn't have asked for a better day.

I am still suffering from some mild depression and I hope to get some answers as to why the 100% blockage went undetected on my last angiogram. This could have prevented my heart attack and even my cardio doctor was upset and he said he would get to the bottom of who made the mistake of missing it. We already know who missed it and he will be surprised when he finds out it's one of his associates. I'm angry because this is not the first medical mistake they made with me and it shouldn't happen to onc person so many times. I see the doctor in 2 weeks and I can't wait to see what he has to say.

I will be having a huge garage sale and my friend is going to help me. I have collected too much and I want to simplify my life with only my crafts and minimal decorations through out my house. It's getting too hard to dust and keep everything in order, so it's time to clean house.

I do hope everyone is okay and not sick, but my blog is boring so I don't expect too much traffic. I hope to make that better also. I pray you all have a great weekend and please pray for the people who went through the tsunami in Japan. God Bless

Tornado that hit Rayne

2011-03-07T07:33:00.000-06:00

This past weekend was horrible but we were spared from the tornadoes. One did touch down in Crowley, but it was about 12 blocks from our house. Rayne was not spared and it is one of the poorest areas in Rayne. It's really sad to see the damage done and the loss of a young mother saving her child. The results were in about her death and much was speculation until the final report. The tree that fell on her as she craddled her little boy (22 months old) broke her neck, but she died at the hospitall from a heart attack and that's the final report. Al was knocked onto a porch when lightening struck by and the tornado went over his head and spared him, but he said the rain was a circular motion and he was really scared and came home shaking. When he heard one hit Crowley, he called to see if I was okay, but except for the loud noise from the rain, I basiclly slept through it. Over 100 people are now homeless and over 20 people were injured, some just minor injuries. Every one said the tornado was white, so they must have been inside the tornado, but when it picks up a lot of rain, it usually is white, at least around here. One mail carrier had his truck picked up and spun around then flipped about 3 times, but he was not injured---just a little scared. Another rural carrier had to get out of his jeep and jump in a ditch to avoid the tornado, so he is okay also. Al doesn't know what to expect at work today, because an entire section has been closed off, so there will be no mail deleivery today.

In better news, we had a dinner Saturday night with some of my high school graduates and it was wonderful seeing old friends, even though it had only been 5 years since our last reunion. We are now planning our 45 reunion for next year. Time sure has flown by and I must say, hardly any of my friends have changed. At first I wasn't going to go, because the main topic when we got there was how I was doing after the heart attack, so we found a corner to sit in and enjoyed our meal and talked about other things, like our children and what we have been doing lately. It was a fun night for everyone. I am going to download some pictures from my friends facebook, she put them there for all of us to see and take.

To those who are facing flooding on the East Coast, I hope you stay out of harm's way. Will be praying for everyone as it seems there is bad weather to be found every where. Have a great week, Love and hugs, Pat

My temporary storage room and crafting space

2011-03-04T11:22:00.000-06:00

'"This is my temporary storage room for some of my crafts. It's small plus my bedroom is filled with cubes and computer desk, so that when my new craft room is done, all of it will be in the same room.

It will be a delight when it is all finished, becasue the last picture will be part of my sitting area for my bedroom and the second photo will be a large walk in closet for my clothes and it will be 8X8 which is a great size for both winter and summer clothes, not to mention the overstock of shoes and purses. I will even have space to put shelves up for my sweaters and things that don't hang. Looks like my dream will finally come true---a large craft room so I can get back to crafting like I use to.

Feeling a wee bit better today, but did wake up with a tightness to my chest, but they said that is normal. Hope you are having the king of weather we are having. It's so gorgeous, but rain is scheduled for tomorrow and Mardi Gras is Tuesday, then Lent begins for Catholics around the country. I prefer to abstain from being a grouch and a much happier person, which is who I really am. I am not a grouch, but I find myself being grouchy lately. I think it's because of the stress about moving home, which I really want to do and I know that Al will take good care of me and I won't have to be alone anymore. Love and hugs, Pat

Just a beautiful day

2011-03-02T12:43:00.000-06:00

Today is a gorgeous day and I wish I could be outside enjoying working in my garden, but that will have to wait. I am feeling a little better each day and I need to practice patience and it's not easy for a type A personality.

Was just thinking that it has been a long time since I had a giveaway and I should start thinking of one as soon as I get a little more energy. I love making journals and squash book (fold out scrapbook) and that would be something good along with some goodies to craft with. I can barely get into my craft room right now, so please don't call the hoarders show on me-lol. Al starts the enlarged craft room in 2 more weeks and I am thinking of going to visit my sister while he works----I make him nervous when he is working and he really is good, but I am very picky about it right now, but I'm sure it will turn out just as I planned.

Please keep my aunt in your prayers. She has Alzhiemers and Parkinson's and she is like a baby at this point. She has some good days where she remembers people, so we are going to try and get there to visit. It's a long ride for me right now, but I'm sure I can manage it.

We have our house in the country rented and the couple renting it are very nice and keeping it up. Melody has it decorated really nice and I'm happy to see someone in it, but still a little sad that it has come to this. I wish we had sold it from the start, but we have put so much money into it, we will have to wait now until we recoup some of the cost of fixing it up. We had to put a water softener in because the water is really hard, then in about a month, they will run city water and disconnect the water well from the main house.

Not much else going on in my life, but I am getting stronger and that is good news as far as I am concerned. It was a shocker to have a heart attack on Valentine's day and the hospital gave out cute little squissy hearts with a smiley face on them. Needless to say, my granddaughter went home with it. Have a great day everyone and pray for the people in Ohio who are having some terrible flooding going on. Our sweet Mary from Isabella's closet is close to it and her yard was flooded a lot from the video she sent me, so Mary, if you are reading this, I hope everything is fine. Love, hugs, and blessings.

Missing my parents

2011-02-28T13:54:00.000-06:00

I find myself missing my parents lately and I'm sure it has to do with the heart attack. Even though me and my mother had our differences, she was always there when I was sick. I've been doing a little crying lately and feeling sorry for myself and I know I need to stop the madness, but with my children so far away and my parents gone, it's very hard.

My sisters and every one around me are babying me and I don't' like that. I know what my body says to me when I am tired and I can't wait to see the cardiologist so I will know what I can and can't do. Maybe they will leave me alone and let me be.

All you sweet gals out there who have never had a heart attack, don't wait for some pain stabbing, heart wrenching pain and falling to the ground in extreme pain. I never had any of that. They do know that I was having the heart attack while in the hospital, because the heart enzymnes showed I was having a heart attack and I didn't feel anything except a headache, even my blood pressure was normal for a while, then it dropped to extremely low numbers and supposedly that is when the attack was occuring. I was lucky that I went to the ER for the headache, because it might have been too late to prevent damage to the heart muscle. I was very lucky that they started everything quickly and prevented any damage. So I beg of you to listen to your body and if something doesn't feel right, see your doctor right away or go to the ER. Now I totally understand why they call it the Silent Killer, because mine was very silent and a headache saved my life. Thank you all for listening to me and hopefully I will soon be on the mend and doing things I was doing before. I am off the pitty pot and on a very strict diet, but the best thing I did for myself was to give up the smoking even though it wasn't much.
I hope your days are filled with rainbows and sunshine. It's time for spring to arrive and it feels like it here already with 77 degrees of beautiful weather and things starting to bloom. Love, hugs, and many blessings to all of you who visit. I love having visitors---as it brightens my day and fills my heart with love. Pat

A little weak today

2011-02-18T13:14:00.000-06:00

Not feeling so great today, but I know with God's love I will get better soon. He is my healer and my salvation, sso I look to him for guidance through this rough journey. Just dropping in to say hello. Hope you all have a great day. It's 74 degrees here and so beautiful I just want to go and work in the garden-----NOT. Have a great weekend. Love and hugs, Pat

Today is not good news

2011-02-16T09:21:00.000-06:00

Well after posting Friday when they hooked up my computer, I started having a bad headache that only got worse as the day went on, the mild chest pains started, so as soon as Al came home from work, he took me to the ER. Tests revealed I had a full blown heart attack and had to have surgery to put a stint in. I had 100% blockage in one of my main arteries. I just got home from the hospital late last night around 11:30 and went straight to bed. I am weak and bruised up quite a bit, but that will go away gradually. The doctor told us I was lucky to have gone when I did, because things could have been worse.

On top of that, Heidi lost her baby and they are all upset over it. She came to see me Friday at the hospital but didn't want to tell me to upset me, so they waited until after everything was done to tell me.

I will be taking it easy for a couple of weeks, so I hope you still stick around. I will be back and hopefully can find my Kodak disk so I can post some pictures or else I will do them on Al's computer. That's one thing I can do, sit at the computer and post. The rest will have to be left to Al to do. Thank God I have him.
Please keep me in your prayers, because my cholesterol is still very high and they said I could have a stroke if I don't follow a diet and get it down. Love YOU all, Pat

A new grandbaby is on the way

2011-02-11T11:41:00.000-06:00

Well we just found out that my dil is pregnant and we are so excited to have a new baby after 10 years. I thought I would only have 2 and looks like #3 will be here around September. Can't wait to find out if it's a boy or girl. My granddaughter wants a little sister, so we will have to wait and see if she gets her wish.

I've been down with my back and have only posted on fb because it's fast and I don't have to sit very long. My last epidural didn't do the trick, so the pain is back. It worked for a little while then stopped and the disk in my upper back is killing me or rather hurting really bad. It hurts to grow old, but we all have to do it, so I learn to tolerate the aging and pain that comes along with it.

It's getting warmer for us down south. We had a hard freeze last night, but next week we are supposed to get into the high 60s and low 70s, so that is good news. Al will be going on vacation in March and will work on my craft room. Now it's beginning to seem real that it will happen after all. I can't wait and what ever doesn't fit, I will have a garage sale and make me a few extra bucks to decorate it. I plan on making things to decorate it. I have 4 square canvas mats that I am going to cover with scrapbook paper to make a collage on the wall. I was thinking of 6, so I may get 2 more.
Well take care everyone and hope to post more often. My computer in the country will be reinstalled on Saturday, because I have moved into the small house in the country just until the craft room is finished. I get anxiety attacks when things like that are being done. Have a great weekend. Love and hugs, Pat

A little sleet for us

2011-02-03T12:13:00.000-06:00

Well I wanted snow, but all we are getting is some freezing rain and sleet. There is a chance for some snow flurries tomorrow, but we will wait and see. Schools are closed and waiting to see if the post office closes. The vehicles aren't designed to drive on icey roads, so I am thinking they will close.

I am so excited about the extension of my craft room. Al is taking vacation for a week in March and is going to do as much as he can on the room. I have a lot of my extra things packed in the storage room he built. My dream is finally coming true.

Confession time. I had started smoking again and it was making me sick and I have finally quit and can say that it feels really great and don't have to freeze to go smoke. I did smoke in our computer room because I didn't want my things to stink and I'm glad to say they don't. But I feel great and just praying now that my stress test goes well and my blockage hasn't gotten any worse and require surgery. Guess that is what scared me into quitting. I had 60% blockage in a main artery and 40% in the left one and that is not a good thing. Just the thought of having to open me up scares me. So this one, I only have myself to blame and I am such a fool to think that I am super woman and nothing will hurt me.

I hope I get to take some pictures for y'all to see. I am so jealous of the snow pictures I have seen, but don't like what happened in Chicago's Lakeshore drive. I can't imagine being stuck in my vehicle or bus for 9 hours. And now they have another blast of snow coming their way. I pray every gets through this.

We have our house in the country rented so I have to move into the small housse which is fine with me. Less to clean and it's only for a short time before I move back here. I told Al I wasn't coming back until he had my craft room built. He has procastenated long enough and I know love should not be built on such things, but you have to know him before you can understand him. This was a promise he made to me 4 years ago and something always gets in the way----his excuses have run out and I want my room. Am I being too "biatchy"??????????? I do love him, but trust has to be rebuilt before I move back with him. I thought it would be sooner, but things happen.
Well going crawl back under my throw. Have a great day and a safe one. Hugs, Pat

Freezing weather with no snow

2011-01-27T10:20:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure how tired everyone is with the snow and the cold, but I can't wait for spring to get here. We have been having cold freezes,, no snow, rain, then it warms up and then freezes again. This whole week we have freezing temps in the morning. Yesterday, I went in for my epidural and there was ice on the windshield and very cold. Thank goodness they give you warm blankets when they bring you to the back. The epidural went well and only mild pain when injections started. He did this one on my C5 and C6, so the bulging disk will feel better. I am avoiding surgery by having these epidurals and I am really afraid to have surgery on my neck.

My storage room is finished and already filled with things I need to store until my expansion of my craft room. I am so excited about that, because it will begin when we get our income tax refunds. Al can't do all the work at one time, so each payday, he will use his overtime pay to buy more material. I think that will make me want to craft more than I am doing right now. I am currently sewing some curtains for the kitchen in the apt. in the country. I won't be moving back when I thought I would. I am waiting until they rent out both the house and the apt to move, so I can help with the bills. The house is just about finished and my parents would be so happy living in it, but I am sure they are looking down from Heaven and seeing the wonderful job we did updating everything. It doesn't look like the same house anymore. We have 2 potential clients that are interested and one is very interested in it, but he needs the garage and we have to keep that for all our maintenance supplies to keep the house up, plus the lawnmower and other things that most renters don't have.
Well guess I have bored you all to sleep, but I am feeling so great I had to tell you all. I hope you are all fine in blogland and getting through the snow storms. Love and hugs, Pat

Elvis Presley - Tribute Never Walk Alone

2011-01-22T09:43:00.001-06:00

Since it was Elvis's birthday I thought I would bring back some nostalgia. This song was our class of 67's song and most of my classmates could not remember anything about our flower or motto. Our class president threw everything away that had to do with our Senior class instead of giving it to someone who would take over the honor of serving our class for furture events. I for one wish I had run for class president, but they would have only voted for the honor students, which looking back didn't mean much, because he really didn't care about the duties, only the title. He led our school to a State Champion and that is another thing that he only cared about---being in the spotlight. Guess I was too shy to run. My grades were average, making honor roll quite a few times and was chosen Senior classes, Most Wittiest and also received the Betty Crocker award for being most outstanding student in Home Economics, so you know what was on my mind---learning to cook so I could be a good wife-lol. Oh well, I do consider myself a good cook and baker and a good wife. I live by the rules of the church and honor my husband, although we had a rough spell, things are so much better. I hope you will post your class song for us all to hear. Just go to you tube and put in your song and post it. Would love it.

Got my older compuer back, loving it--I hate windows 7

2011-01-20T11:23:00.000-06:00

Well today is a lazy day for me. I have so much unpacking to do, but stilll have things at my dad's. I am moving into the apartment for a little while, because there is still a little tension here. I have been praying that all will be well once I move back, but then something happens and it looks bleak again. Not much going on, except have boxes and boxes of craft supplies to unpack. I thought since I wasn't crafting right now, I would move them all back here in Crowley and jsut leave my bed, clothes, and dishes and of course food. Can't live without it.

I do have great plans for the new year and so far things are working out. I will be having a yard sale in April when things start warming up, but we did get snow for Easter one time which seems like ages ago and the temps were in the mid 20's. Just enough to whiten the ground a bit and then nothing but slush.

I got my other computer back and strange things were happening. None of my contacts showed up in my emials and on facebook, so I turned off the computer and restarted it and low and behold, everything was there. I even ask Mary at Isabella's closet to let you all know that I need y'all to visit so I could put the blog list back, but it's there now. Strange. I did lose all my favorites and my pictures, but I had them all burned to disks so they did not get lost. Now it's just a matter of putting them all back. Have a great day. It turned cold again and I am just a little tired of the cold weather. I want to be outside, even if it's to sit and read. Love you all, Pat

Christmas is over for us and now it's down to business

2011-01-18T10:42:00.000-06:00

Life sure can make some turns that aren't expected. I have been moving things I don't need right now and moving the rest into my moms shop which is an apartment now. I will be staying a few more months untill Al finishes up the shop. We have the big house just about finished and it looks great. Wish we could afford to pay the $700 rent because I have always loved the house. Putting in a new heating system and there is a huge heater in the apartment. They are going to put in a bath and run some gas lines for hot water.

Next year we are only putting up 3 trees. I already gave my brother 3 and stilll have another one to undecorate, then we will purchase a big tree and just changed the theme each year. It's getting too hard on my back to put all 8 trees up, plus the little 4 ft. trees. My brother decorates the outside of his house, like I do the inside and it's really pretty at night. People drive from every where to look at the decorations and he even has a memorial tree for my mom and dad, because my dad loved Christmas so much and we really missed them this year with all the family together.

Chris's EX has moved out, but left a few things for her, like the guitar he bought her. She was a little sad Saturday, but has gotten over it and will get on with her life. She said she has some good memories of her and 'David and doesn't want to dwell on the negative---that's my daughter and she is always in a happy mood.
I hope everyone who got snow is keeping warm. We only got some Cajun snow-rain and it was nasty yesterday, but we managed to move some furniture before the rain came down. I hope you all have a nice day.

Back to the hospital on the 26th

2011-01-11T10:31:00.000-06:00

I haven't been blogging lately and it seems that all I do is move things. I'll be back settled in with Al at the end of March and I'm happy about that. He has certainly changed a lot since we seperated, so I would say the slogan "'Absence makes the heart grow fonder" is true.

My storage room is filled with all the craft supplies that I collected in the last 4 years, so it's time for the bigger craft room. I have it pretty organized, but I still have lots to move and I will have to store my bedroom furniture in there also but it will be out of my way to do some crafting.

It's been very cold here with our temps in the low to mid 20s and tonight is supposed to be the worst of all the nights. We still have 3 more days of freezing weather but no snow for us, just plain old freezing temps.

I went to the doctor yesterday and got some trigger point shots in my neck and will be going back in for another epidural in the upper neck. I had to wait 6 weeks since the one on my lower back, so I should have some good pain free days, and I have only had a few of those. Surgery is needed on my neck but I am so scared and he said as long as I tolerate the pain with the epidurals, they will leave it alone. He said I would know when the time comes to do the surgery. Have to have a liver profile done to make sure my liver is doing okay. I may have to detox and start over with the pain meds and he said it would feel like a really bad case of the flu. Not sure if I am ready to try that for a week, but my body has become tolerante to the meds and they are not working as good as they should. Please say a little prayer that I can get Some relief,even if it's only for 6 months at a time.
Well I need to call my daughter to check in on her. She called last night and said a lot was going on but I missed her call and she went out to eat with a friend. Please keep my sweet angel in your prayers also. She is so heartbroken, but the wounds are slowly healing. She deserves a man who will treat her good just as she treated the last one and hopefully she will find the man of her dreams. Love and hugs to all. Pat

Giveaway at foursistersinacottage

2011-01-10T10:56:00.001-06:00

Amy at http://foursistersinacottage.blogspot.com/ is having a Valentine giveaway and there are actually 2 of them. I hope you visit Amy and join in the giveaway. You won't be disappointed in what she is giving away. Here is just one of them.

Another great giveaway is at the Gilded Cherub and you can go to her blog from my sidebar. Hope you enter, because she is giving 3 prizes away.

Boxing up more

2011-01-05T10:56:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was spent boxing up more Christmas decorations and we should be finished by this weekend. Al had to watch LSU play, so I watched a little tv then went to sleep. I will be keeping my resolutions by getting rid of lots of things that I have no need for anymore. My children still want some of the Christmas decorations, so those will be put aside for them. I have old crafts that I did when I did craft shows and it's all going away. Whatever I can sell will be sold, clothes going to Goodwill, some things I am giving to friends, and the rest that isn't any good will be trashed. My storage room is built and only the siding remains and shingles which will be worked on this weekend.

AL and I will be moving back in together, so I have a lot of things at my parents' home that I need to go through. We should be back together by March. I need a bedroom, so the storage room will take care of my craft cubes and storage things, then I can move back into the bedroom, but it will be painted first. Pink was my first choice, but after seeing a clean white slate on one of the blogs I visit, I may have changed my mind and only use pink as an accent color. One never knows if they might change their mind later with all the new beautiful colors out there. Pink is my favorite and since I have already collected lots of pretty things,I'll stick with pink for a while. Mind you this will only be a guest room. Our bedroom is done in dark colors which I also love and it's a dark rusty color bedset that I have and a reprodution bedroom suite.

I hope everyone can keep their resolutions this year, even if they are simple things. My year started out good when my daughter phoned me to let me know she has changed all the locks on her house and David has yet to contact her, so that is good news. I am a mother and if you are anything like me, mothers still worry about their children's well being even after they have flown from the nest.
Again wishing you all the best for the New Year. Does any one know why last year went by so fast???????Love and hugs, Pat

Quiet House

2011-01-02T12:58:00.000-06:00

My daughter was the last to leave, so the house is very quiet. I still have more boxing up to do but it will take time as I am planning on moving back in with Al. We have someone who wants to rent the house so I have to get my things out very soon. Not sure what I will do with some things because there is just no place to store them, so a lot will probably end up in a garage sale or Goodwill.
My daughter is fine and she left with tears just as I did also. But they will be coming back in November for our 40th anniversary and are planning a party for us. Should be lots of fun. Here is a cute picture of them together. Hope your New Year goes well and you keep your resolutions. Mine are many, but to de-clutter my house and get back to basic is one that I pray I can keep. I also want to be a more kinder and gentle person.

Happy New Year from the Jochums

2010-12-29T10:44:00.000-06:00

Our family would like to extend a Happy New Year and many blessings to all the bloggers who visit. We had a wonderful week, Donnie managed to get a flight to Atlanta with a connection to Pittsburgh, then rented a car and drove back to NYC. His flight was cancelled until next Monday and he was lucky to get what he did. He made the trip home safely and as a mother, I worried about the 8 hour car drive, but he is fine, just a little tired. Chris is still here and we are making candy. She wanted a lesson on making Martha Washington balls, so we made them and now only have to dip them. I can't tell you how great it felt having them all here, but the day after Christmas, things did not go well. Chris's boyfriend planned a getaway on Christmas day and broke up with her the day after. He just walked out with only telling Al bye. How rude is that of a grown man, to leave my daughter at her family home. He waited until all my family left to do this and had it planned by calling some friends in Arkansas to pick him up here. I have no respect for anyone who would do such an awful thing to my daughter. He could have acted like a man and told us something, but chose the cowardly way of breaking up with her. Needless to say, many tears were cried while I consoled my daughter. She is better today and is over him and will get on with her life. He left early so he could move out before she returns on Monday. What a total jerk.
But he will never take the memories away that we shared, so all is good and forgiven as far as I am concerned. She deserves better than that. Below is a picture of my family and the guy on the left is David who walked out. I wish a Happy New Year filled with Blessings to everyone. Hugs, Pat

Merry Christmas

2010-12-24T10:38:00.000-06:00

Just stopping in to wish everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas. I hope that in all the excitement that you remember the Reason for the Season, The Birth of our Lord and Savior who has given us so much to be thankful for. I for one have been blessed so many times this year and even though my health is not as good as I would like it to be, I am thankful for the many times I am not in pain, which are few, but will take whatever the Lord gives me. I am Blessed to have all my children here and Christmas won't be as lonely as in the past. Blessings to all who visit, Love, hugs, and prayers. May the Peace of our Lord be with you always. Pat

gingerbread houses

2010-12-22T12:45:00.000-06:00

The children had a great time making these and it was fun to watch them. I cooked while they played. I made an okra, shrimp, and sausage gumbo for everyone to eat last night. All in all it was a wonderful day.

A wonderful day yesterday

2010-12-22T12:41:00.000-06:00

My son and gc were here and they had fun decorating the cookies I baked and making a gingerbread village which didn't come out that great, but the laughter that filled my kitchen was well worth the mess. Yes, mom cleaned the mess from every where. My daughter comes in Friday, so she and I will be preparing and cooking what we are bringing to my sons house. It feels so great to know that we will all be together. We are gathering here on Christmas Eve and exchange minor gifts because we all kept it simple this year, so that we could enjoy our visit. Here are the photos from yesterday.

Life is good

2010-12-21T12:10:00.000-06:00

Well my baby boy(I still call him that because he is my first born) arrived and we had a wonderful night with my son and his family, so the only one missing is Chris and David, who will be here on Saturday. Al gave them all an early Christmas gift and they were thrilled. He got them a proof set of coins from the year they were born and don't you know, they didn't mint a silver dollar in the year Donnie was born. They all loved the gift. Donnie ran an errand for me and we will be making sausage, shrimp and okra gumbo for supper. Some of mom's good Louisiana cooking. The gc will be going home today, so that we can spend some quality time with Donnie, then when he is gone, we will have a few days of time with Chris. He hasn't changed and we really had a good visit last night. Lots of laughter filled my house and love was every where. I can still come in while he is doing his thing, but we are all taking turns on the computer. He did all his emails and facebook thing, so it's my turn. Wishing you all the kind of day I am having. It's wonderful seeing that big smile of his. Love and hugs, Pat

Today is the big day

2010-12-20T12:58:00.000-06:00

Well today is going by slowly and I am so anxious for my son to arrive. He will be here about 6pm and I can hardly wait. We just have to pull out a window in my bedroom to finish off the storage room that will soon be a part of my bedroom. Sleeping on an air mattress is very uncomfortable but I would move the moon and stars to have my children here, so a few nights of discomfort are worth it.

Last night was a sad night for us. Bingo has shut down and all the friends I have known for years will be missed. Lots of tears and a lot of hard work went into trying to save it but they were losing money and couldn't afford to keep it going. I did win $37 but it wasn't a very happy moment. All our bingo buddies live in different places and will surely be missed.

We are due to have a warm Christms ---so far anyway---but with our weather here, anything could change over night. So no white Christmas for us.
If I become too busy with my son, I wish you all the Best for Christmas and the coming New Year. There is still a little saddness in not having our parents to join in, but they will be remembered in spirit. Love to all of you and I pray I have some free time to stop by. Pat

Merry Christmas to all my older female friends

2010-12-19T12:44:00.002-06:00

Merry Christmas To My Female Friends

If I were ol' Santa, you know what I'd do

I'd dump silly gifts that are given to you

And deliver some things just inside your front door

Things you have lost, but treasured before.

I'd give you back all your maidenly vigor,

And to go along with it, a neat tiny figure.

Then restore the old color that once graced your hair

Before rinses and bleaches took residence there.

I'd bring back the shape with which you were gifted

So things now suspended need not be uplifted.

I'd draw in your tummy and smooth down your back

Till you'd be a dream in those tight fitting slacks.

I'd remove all your wrinkles and leave only one chin

So you wouldn't spend hours rubbing grease on your skin

You'd never have flashes or queer dizzy spells

And you wouldn't hear noises like ringing of bells.

No sore aching feet and no corns on your toes

No searching for spectacles when they're right on your nose

Not a shot would you take in your arm, hip or fanny

From a doctor who thinks you're a nervous old granny.

You'd never have a headache, so no pills would you take.

And no heating pad needed since your muscles won't ache.

Yes, if I were Santa, you'd never look stupid

You'd be a cute little chick with the romance of a cupid.

I 'd give a lift to your heart when those wolves start to whistle

And the joys of your heart would be light as a thistle.

But alas! I'm not Santa. I'm simply just me

The matronest of matrons you ever did see.

I wish I could tell you all the symptoms I've got

But I'm due at my doctor's for an estrogen shot.

Even though we've grown older this wish is sincere

Merry Christmas to you and a Happy New Year.

The anxiety begins

2010-12-17T11:47:00.000-06:00

I have been so excited about my children coming for Christmas that anxiety has kicked in. I am so anxious for them to arrive and Donnie will be here on Monday and I have so much to do this weekend, that the time is surely going to pass by fast.
I have always been envious of people who have their families with them at Christmas and this year it will happen for me. Chris lives in Vancouver, Wa. and has a business to run and this is usually her busiest season, next to Halloween, so this year they decided to hire an extra girl to work and Donnie is always off at Christmas, He is in upper management so he is off during Christmas but living alone in West New York can be pricey so he doesn't always get to come.

I wish I could have sent gifts out to everyone who has stopped by even if it was only once, but I decided to be a Secret Santa and picked 4 people who posted and visited me so many times to send gifts to. That's a hint------but I am not begging anyone to visit just to get a gift. I want you to visit because you like stopping by and seeing what I do, which is not much lately, but with my new space to work, I will have plenty of time to make gifts for next year. Thanks to all who have taken the time to visit, even if you didn't leave a comment, but they sure are welcome. I wish for all of you a very Joyous, Peaceful and Loving Christmas and please remember we are celebrating the Birth of Jesus and I bake a cake for Him or buy one, but we always have a Birthday cake to celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior. He has brought me so many blessings this year and I am so Thankful to have Jesus in my life. Love, hugs, and prayers, Pat

Beautiful cottage to visit

2010-12-16T10:33:00.002-06:00

If you want to see an enchanted cottage of pink, visit this link. Mary would love to have you visit. http://isabellascloset.blogspot.com/

A cute gift from a friend

2010-12-16T10:26:00.000-06:00

Yesterday filled my heart with joy. I got a package from my son's former partner and it guess what it was? Gingerbread things. he is so sweet and I still think of him as another son. Break ups are hard, no matter which side of the fence you are on. They lived together for 18 years and it was harder on me than my son. Here are the cute things he sent me. One is a table runner, dish towels, and a cute mug with saucer to go with it. He is so sweet and I have so many adorable gingerbreads from him. I know him well enough that he collected this the entire year and just didn't go out and buy them on the spur of the moment. I still include him at Christmas and some don't agree with that, but they are friends and he is my friend also and I love him.

Going to be baking today now that I have all the things I need to get started . It's been a long standing tradition so I have to bake some. If not, it won't feel like Christmas. I hope everyone who visits my Christmas blog enjoys seeing all the frufru or as one friend said "It looks like the Elves threw up in my house" I thought that was funny, and wish I had some Elves to help me, but I only have Al.

My storage room/part bedroom will be finished this weekend, but still not ready to show as we are leaving the painting and wallpapering until after the children have left. No time to get it done before they arrive. I am getting excited about moving back home for good, which won't be too long. Seems our parents left us a money pit of a house and we are so far in debt with it that it's going to take years to get all the money back, so we are going to rent it until a later year or so to sell it. Renting it might be good, but I wish we had sold it as is from day one. The few things that were wrong wouldn't have taken so much to fix for the new owners but now it has increased. It's too big for me to keep up and my siblings don't live close enough except my brother who has COPD and is not doing so well.
Wishing you lots of joy and happiness throught the holidays and blessings to those who are sick or have lost a family member. Christmas is still sad for us without our parents and it's only been 3 years and we still miss them so much..... Love and hugs, Pat

A beautiful giveaway

2010-12-11T09:47:00.000-06:00

Please visit Rebecca at http://rebecca-gatheryeroses.blogspot.com/ for a beautiful giveaway she is having. It's a cross stitched pillow with Merry Christmas on it. You won't be sorry, unless you don't visit.

A Christmas tour

2010-12-11T09:35:00.000-06:00

I have finally gotten my pictures posted on my Christmas blog and I hope that you will visit. I enjoy Christmas very much and although it's hard to see, I have little Nativity sets every where. You can visit by going to http://urbanchicchristmas.blogspot.com/
I didn't put up all my decorations this year because of my children coming and we wouldn't want them to take me away in a straight jacket. We have been collecting for over 30 years and if I had a house bigger, there would be more trees and ornaments to see, but I took out my favorites this year and put up a tree for my daughter, because she has only seen 3 of her ornaments and I also put up a pink tree in the bedroom she will be using. Maybe next year when I have my rooms finished, I can do it, because I have moving ornaments that are so cute, but no room this year. A friend just asked me if I put them up and I said no. He used to come by to see all the trees, but he has a shop now and has been really busy doing his shop up. He has a "Reindeer" tree that I fell in love with and it's half price right now, but still too high for me to explain paying $150 for it. It's all decorated and it's the cutest tree I have ever seen. I do hope you will stop by and visit. here is a peak of what you might see.

Feeling great today

2010-12-09T13:18:00.000-06:00

I am feeling so good after the epidural but I can't lift anything or strain, but it feels so good to be pain free, even if for only 6 months. I am addressing cards and sending out packages before it's too late.

I went to see my internist and I have to have some heart test done again. I pray the blockage hasn't gotten worse. I will have to have the stress test done first and then we go from there. I had to take nitro the other day and that is not a good sign, so he is making sure there are no more problems with my heart.

My son is coming in a day earlier and I am getting so excited. We are going to buy a gingerbread house already baked and decorate it for Christmas. I have done this for many years and don't want to stop. My gd will be here also to help and she is just the sweetest and most polite child if I do say so myself. Her parents have done a great job with them and they are doing well in school. My gs marched in the Christmas parade in Lafayette, but we couldn't make it. They told us too late and plans couldn't be changed, but there is always next year.

Going to try and get my Christmas trees posted on my blog---there is a link on the right side of my blog and it will take you there. Hope to have them up soon. Love and hugs, Pat

Down with pain

2010-12-03T11:30:00.000-06:00

Sorry, I haven't been posting, but my back is hurting really bad and I pulled a muscle in my arm. Went to the doctor yesterday and I have to do some arm exercises with little bar bells and I am also having an epidural done on Wednesday. I got an injection of 'Depokote yesterday and that has helped so much. I need to get my body muscles back in shape before my kiddies get here.

I haven't been doing much except watching Christmas movies and making my own cards which need to go out soon. I also have a few packages that I need to get into the mail before it's too late, so that is what my life has been like lately. I have to have help to get my bra on, but hopefully the injection will help and I can do it on my own-lol.
I will try and finish posting my Christmas pictures on my blog next week, so hope you stop by and visit. Love,hugs, and prayers to all of you. Pat

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T10:53:00.000-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you in blogland. I hope you all have a great day and count your many blessings from Jesus. I have so much to be thankful for and the list is too long to post.
I am thankful for my Lord and Savior
I am thankful for my beautiful family
I am thankful for winning almost $600 the other night.
I am thankful for the food we will have on the table and
a roof over my head, such that it is.
I am thankful for my health,such as it is, but I am alive,
so that is much to be thankful for. There are so many
that don't have health insurance, so they are left to suffer.
I am especially thankful for all the friends I have met on blogger
and I can truly say that I love you all. You have listened to my
whining and for that I am grateful.
As I said before, the list could go on, but these are the important things in my life. Christmas is taken care of and we don't have to charge anything at all this year, so the plastic can take a rest.
I am also thankful that the wood is being delivered on Saturday and I will have a new storage room for now, so I am clearing out my craft room and it will become a bedroom again. It has taken a long time and the permit was not easy. You almost have to give up your first born for a permit-lol. They expect you to draw the image you are building and thank goodness Al can draw the picture like a professional.

I hope you enjoy your families, because Al and I will be alone on Thanksgiving. A friend is coming for supper, but we are taking a trip to Micheals at 4 when they have their door busters sale from 4 to 6pm and there are a few gifts I need to get. Have a safe, Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. Love and hugs, Pat

No pics today

2010-11-22T08:58:00.000-06:00

I have been busy decorating and making my Chrismas cards to send out. I still need about 20, but they are coming along and should be finished for December 1st.
Hubby has started on the storage room that will be a closet and part sitting area for my bedroom, but for now, it will be used to pack up my craft supplies and furniture. It took an act of God to get the permit. They almost wanted an archtectural drawing of what he was building----down to how many 2x4 we will be using. My closet will be 8x10 and the sittting area 8x10. I am tired of packing summer clothes to make room for winter clothes because down south, you never know what the day will be like. It is supposed to turn cold tonight and I had to haul out and wash some winter clothes again. Rain is forcast for Thanksgiving day, so I am glad we got the garland up around the door outside. Just have to finish the picture window and add a few little touches outside. I gave away all my outdoor decorations because of storage space and now I wish I still had a few of the things, but they are in good homes and the people appreciate them.
Well going to see what else I can dig up to put out. My bathroom is bare, but I need to keep it simple since my other bathroom is filled with boxes of crafts and material I inherited.
Hope you all have a wonderful day. Love, hugs, and Blessings, Pat

Two of my favorite cards

2010-11-17T12:58:00.000-06:00

Oops forgot to crop them.

Christmas cards I am making

2010-11-17T10:04:00.001-06:00

Well the crafting bug has hit me finally and I've been working on Christmas cards to send to friends and family. Here are just 8 of the cards that I made. I didn't have the others with me to scan. All opinions are welcome.

I cannot bead on cards anymore and it breaks my heart because a lady wants all I can make, so going to give it a try, but my eyes are no longer capable of seeing tiny little beads and It's what I love the best. Maybe I am out of practice and need more time to get back into the swing of things, but I think the lady wants all of these, so I have to get busy. She want the others I made also, so I hope that still leaves me time to get more made. I have so much free time, but my hands shake and it took me forever to get a tiny brad into one of the cards. I have tried every magnifying thing there is and it just doesn't help, but make me nauseous. Hope you enjoy seeing these. Love and hugs, Pat

Sneak Peek on my Christmas blog

2010-11-16T14:01:00.000-06:00

I started posting pictures of my Christmas decorations, but just a sneak peek at what I am doing. I know it may all look the same as the passed years, but it's just the same things, done in different places. Can't do like I used to do because we need room for my children. The picture on my banner was taken last Christmas eve. I hope you will come on over because there will be more to come later. I am usually finished by now, but we have a lot going on and one of them is adding a room onto my bedroom to make it larger with an 8X10 closet. For now it will be used for storage until I have a garage sale and in the spring, my new craft room will be started and may take some time because Al has not had a day off except for Sundays in over 2 years. He will be off Thanksgiving week but will be working harder than he does at his real job, but we will stop on Thanksgiving. I don't do Black Friday, because it's so crazy and people stampede and fight over items like they are crazy. I'm sorry but there is nothing in the world that I need or want on that day. I know others go to the sales, but I just don't picture myself doing it. I am a simple girl who does her shopping year round and my gifts are carefully picked for the person I am buying them for. So stop by and visit. Love and hugs, Pat

Band did not make Grand National finals

2010-11-15T11:29:00.000-06:00

Welll my grandson's band didn't win finals but hey did come in 14th out of 34 bands in the Grand National finals.Some of the bands did some dramtic non marching things, so they are turning this competition into a thing like Dancing with the stars. One member was elevated from a bed in the middle of the field. What ever happened to marching and formations???????

I am so proud of what they did do. It started out with over 300 bands from the US and they finished 14th,short of the 12th they needed to make it to finals. But they won State and semi finals and made it to finals. They did do some crying but all is well again and they will just try harder for next year. Gotta love that smile. Love and hugs

My grandchildren

2010-11-13T09:45:00.000-06:00

My grandson Jacob is in the Grand National band cometition in Indianapolis and they have won in the semi finals and tomorrow will be the finals. They are fixing to do their routine as I type this. He is a little doll as far as I concerned and as a grandma, I have that right.

This is Theresa, my granddaughter and she is the love of my life. She is the sweetest and most polite child I have ever known. She even told her dad it was rude to be on the computer when people are visiting, including us.

Although I would love to have more, these two are the loves of my life and they make me ;proud in their accomplishments. They both are enrolled in an Arts and Technology school and there are only 6 students in Theresa's class, so they have almost one on one teaching. She is an honor roll student and the girl reads about 10 books a week. She reminds of the little boy on "the Middle", she loves to read, just as I did when I was her age. I just couldn't get enough of it.

I have taken pictures of my trees and decorations, but you will find they almost look the same as last year, except there are fewer decorations. I may put out more things, but right now, I need a break and we are having another cancer aid bingo tomorrow, so that has been keeping me busy making donations for the bingo. Hope you all have a great weekend. Love, hugs, and prayers.

Shadow box mirror

2010-11-06T11:15:00.001-05:00

I find that great people think alike. I was looking at Angelicaccents today and we have a mirror that is almost alike. Steph has some beautiful mirrors, but I lack wall space for the amount that she has, but one of them caught my eye and I have the same one. I love mine and it is in my bedroom now with little things that I treasure.

Christmas has come to my house

2010-11-06T10:42:00.000-05:00

Christmas is now appearing at my house. I will take pictures when I am totally finished. I wasn't going to go all out this year, but decided since it cheers me up so much, I now have 3 trees in my living room and one small tree for my Mary's Angels collection. I have a mouse tree, a cat and dog tree, and the big Santa tree. I also put my Peanuts gang things out, but they will be moved to the dining room along with the snowmen. I still won't put everything I have up because it's way too much. We have been collecting since 1983 and I have enough for 8 people to decorate their homes. I have a special closet that is used for holiday things, so it's always out of sight. My dining room will be decorated last because of Thanksgiving. I do have a few fall things that I like so I will make room for them on my table.
Most people think I have OCD and they are right, but it's what keeps me happy and to each his own. I know a lady right now who has 8 trees up and each is a different color from blue to pink and the traditional green tree. My neighbor came over last night and said she told her friend, she needs to come and see my house when it's finished. That's how things get started. Word of mouth goes out and I have people come just to look at my decorations. They think that we just went out and bought all this stuff at one time, but I remember when we only had one big tree and would put all our ornaments on one tree, but with the theme ornaments from Hallmark, it got to where we needed more trees to show them off and I like doing the theme trees. I have the Wizard of Oz which is my favorite tree and that could stay out all year, but the ornaments are very delicate and I would be dusting every week to keep them in almost mint condition.
Well hope to have pictures soon, but they will be posted on my Christmas blog. I will do several posts so it doesn't take so much time to load. That was a mistake I made the first year. You are welcome to go and check the old ones out and maybe that will get you in the Christmas spirit. I still have to make room for my nativity tree, because that has to be up and it will probably be in my bedroom as usual, but I want to add some pink to it. The tree is white and I have some pink glass ornaments, so it really doesn't matter what the ornament colors are, it has to be out, because that is the reason for the season and we have a stocking just for Jesus that we put our letters of Thanks and Blessings in. It's cold here and the perfect day for listening to Christmas music and decorating, so I am off to finish my Santa tree. Hope you have a great weekend. Love, hugs, and prayers to all my friends and others in blogland and the world.

The Tale of the Big Screen

2010-11-02T11:56:00.000-05:00

I knew someday that we would end up with a monster sized TV in our living room, but was hoping it wouldn't happen until after Christmas. So Al got his gift early-a huge 42 inch TV and it has to sit on my electric fireplace until we can get the entertainment center that I want, so here I am trying to decorate for Christmas and the only thing I can put on the fireplace is my garland. Very upsetting for me, but he's too sweet of a man not to let him have a new toy for football season. I have to admit that I do like watching it, but not looking at it, if you know what I mean, so the hunt is on for my Christmas gift so that maybe the thing can be disguished. I do have my trees out and some of them remain decorated and bags put over them after Christmas, so the hard part comes next. What do I use this year, because I am not decorating as much as I did the last couple of years. I need walking space for my children and I don't want my daughter's boyfriend to think he has visited a Christmas shop instead of our home. At least I will have plenty time to bake cookies this year and share them with friends and our neighbor who looks after our house when we go out of town.

My photos will probably look almost like the previous ones, but with less, so I hope that Deena has her Christmas tour again. If not, you can visit my Christmas blog.
We have finally gotten the rain we prayed for, but now it's time for it to stop. It didn't bring cool weather with it, so I don't want it. It's hot and humid, which is a natural part of South Louisiana.
Wishing you all a wonderful day. Hope you had fun on Halloween. Now it's time for Thanksgiving and I will decorate my table for that, but the rest is Christmas, which will take until December 1st to finish. Love, hugs, and prayers,Pat

New Stove, grand niece and peak at Christmas

2010-10-28T12:36:00.000-05:00

Well I haven't posted any new picture, but I had to share the picture of my great niece Kodi Grace. This was the first time I got to see her and at first she didn't want anything to do with me, but an hour later, and she became my shadow. I like to think that children know a good heart when they see one---not bragging-lol. I had so much fun with her that I forgot about my pains.

I have begun to decorate a little at a time and this is the furthest I have gotten with my gingerbreads. These are new, so I went ahead and put them on the shelf above my sink.

The stove is ready for installation and I love some of the new features. I like white, so I got what I wanted. My friends kept telling me to get a stainless steel one, but it wouldn't look good with my white frig and can't afford to buy a new one, since it's only 5 years old. I love the microwave, as a turkey can fit in it and the stove has 5 burners and I love the middle simmer burner for when I cook soups, gumbo, or red beans, etc. My brother(whom is speaking to me now---tears of joy) is going to install it on Sunday after church.
I have so much to do and somedays I don't know where to start, so since my house is clean now, I am going to start pulling out all the decorations for Christmas. I want time to bake cookies and make candy for my children, so I will have it decorated before they come. One loves it, the other hates the clutter as she puts it, but it's my house and I will put up what I feel like putting up. Our little cottage is not that small, but the rooms are small and that's okay. I only need one more big room and that is my craft room, which should be started after income tax time. Our house is about 80 years old and it is solid wood, so no sheetrock any where. I can hang very heavy items on the wall and never worry about things falling down.
Well going to visit some blogs then try to get trick or treat bags finished. Have a great weekend. Love, hugs, and prayers. Pat

New stove arrived

2010-10-27T13:51:00.000-05:00

Finally after 3 weeks, our stove was delivered at 8:15 pm. What kind of company comes at that time of night. Won't mention the Big retail store, but we had to call because they weren't going to be there until 9 and I was ready to come back to the country. I stayed all day waiting for nothing when I could have been here working on some things. I do like it, with the middle simmer burner and the warming tray at the bottom, totally self cleaning, which I like. I had continous cleaning and it was not good. I told Al he will need to put foil down when he bakes pizza or anything that drips. So the stove and microwave/vent is all together, then he found a leak in one of the water pipes, so he has been busy digging the pipe line to fix it.

The wallpaper will be a huge issue for me, because I will have to live with it for at least 10 years. I thought about painting the walls a pale pink and the wainscoating white. If anyone can picture this and think it's a good idea, please let me know. Other wise I have some serious hunting to do.

We are busy at my parents house trying to get it ready to rent and if Iam not ready to move back with Al when it's done, I will move into the small house next door. I still wish we could buy the house because it's perfect for me and for my craft room. But Al thinks there is too much to be done in order to get it up to date. At least mine is a small but cozy cottage and we are busy working on re-doing some rooms in the house.The kitchen will be first, then my living room and dining room because I want the dining room to reflect the decor in the kitchen.
Hope all are well and enjoying the beautiful fall weather. We are in a drought and need rain soon. We got a sprinkle, so we are still under a no fire rule and if you are caught, they will fine you. We are also still waiting on the building permit and Al started the storage room until I told him, he had to get a permit because the fine would be more than it's worth. Have a great day and I hope to have some new pictures to show soon. Love,hugs, and prayers, Pat

Rebecca's Giveaway

2010-10-21T15:28:00.000-05:00

Rebecca at http://rebecca-gatheryeroses.blogspot.com/ A Gathering place is having a beautiful giveaway of Pink Santa Cards and tags, so please go by and visit her beautiful blog. These are too lovely to pass up. I just pray I am the lucky winner of these.

I have been busy visiting with my sisters who came to help clean up the yard at my dad's house and I am so thankful that they can do it for me. I don't have the strenght or the know how to ride a lawnmower. I can do painting a little at a time, so I am going to finish our dad's room. Everyone is napping right now and I could use one myself.

The stove still isn't in and the gas line here at my dads broke so they are working on getting that done, so I can shower this winter without heating water the old fashioned way or going to Crowley every day to shower.

I found some wallpaper on ebay and the lady posted the wrong amount and I was very upset because I finally found something I could live with, so the hunt is on again and I may just go with the white and pink large stripe. WE may also drive to New Orleans where I know a shop that sells vintage wallpaper and I really want to check there first.

So if you don't see me here very often, you know I am working on my kitchen. I am doing well except for the pain I continue to live with and can't do a thing about it except to accept that fact for the rest of my life. Surgery is out of the question for now and not sure if I will ever let them cut on my back. I guess if the pain gets worse, I will have no choice or if I get fed up with the narcotics I have to take to endure the pain.

Well I think I will go and take a cat nap. Have a wonderful weekend. Love, hugs, and prayers, Pat

Finally got our insurance check

2010-10-14T10:05:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone in blogland. Sorry I havn't been here, but there is a lot going on since the fire. We are going today to buy the stove and vent and look at wallpaper. The painting and wallpaper will have to wait until after Christmas, because I don't want my kitchen a mess when my children come in for Christmas.

My son, Donnie, is off to go to Berlin again on the 28th. He loved it so much and didn't get to tour as much as he wanted, so he decided to go back for 4 days. Lucky him.

I've been busy working on items for a bingo benefit again and this time it is for one of my cousins who died from cancer. He was in his 30s and they didn't have children. One of my other cousins is in the same position. His wife can't have children, but loves all the nieces and nephews. I pray for a miracle and just have to wait and see if it happens.

Well nothing else going on in my boring life right now except trying to get my kitchen back in working order---which means I will have to cook again. Oh well, I love making gumbo and soup to store in the freezer, so that will probably be the first thing I cook, except for my beef cheese casserole. Hope you have a great weekend. Sorry no pictures again. I need to get busy with Christmas cards and if those who visit me frequently would send me your addresses, I would appreciate it. My email is patnal10@bellsouth.net. that is what I use for business only and the other that most of you have is my private email with no spam. Love and hugs, Pat

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2010-10-09T09:13:00.000-05:00

This month is breast cancer Awareness Month and I hope that all of you get your yearly mammogram. Many lives have been saved by self exam and mammorgrams. Our own Amy from Foursistersinacottage and Sweet Deena from Can I be Pretty in Pink have shown us all what it is like and I pray that none of us have to go through the pain and agony that this monster can do to our bodies. I have mine done the same year in February, because it is the month of my 2 older children and hubbys birthdays and that is my way of showing them I care. I do daily self breast exams because I have hormonal cysts and have 3 aunts who battled and won breast cancer, so I am very concerned about everyone doing this. The brave women who fought and some lost should always be remembered because research continues and some day this evil monster will be conquered and destroyed.

I urge you all to go out and purchase on pink breast cancer item so that more money goes into research. It can be something as small as clips for your chips. I have many items that I have purchase and will go well in my new kitchen.

I am suffering now with bouts of dementia and they are running blood work and I will have a brain scan done in December, so if I repeat myself or forget something, please forgive me. That was the reason I caught my kitchen on fire, I totally forgot about the grease heating. I am now taking a special vitamin for memory loss and have to do daily mind exercises to prevent this from happening again. Please keep all the breast cancer warriors in your prayers and I could use a little prayer myself right now. I hope you have a beautiful weekend, like we are having. Makes me want to fall into a pile of leaves, but I am scared of spiders-lol. Love, hugs, and prayers.

This is what I did from being forgetful

2010-10-05T10:18:00.000-05:00

I know this doesn't look like much damage, but it's the black soot that was in 4 rooms that was the worse and it's hard to take pictures of that. As you can see we had to take the door down from above the cabinet because it was burned really bad, but we have to take the entire cabinet down and build a new one.

It could have been worse had I gone to take a nap, but thank God the phone rang and it wasn't worse. The cleaning crew is almost done and the stove is gone out of the house and now we have to start repairs before we bring in a new stove and hood vent. I am hoping to find a microwave with a vent that way it will take up less space and the insurance gave us $179 towards a new vent, so if we have to, we will pay the difference. New wallpaper will be put up after the first of the year. I don't need the mess with my children coming in 2 months, but we will tear out and clean up the burned area. Al is going to wipe down the molding at the top and then we can put the new stove in. Going to stick with white with a white door instead if I can find one.
My doctor is concerned that I am forgetting important things. I even went for one of my appointments a month early. They did a memory test, but in December, he wants to run a brain CT or MRI, just to rule out anything serious. I guess it's just old age setting in, but my grandfather had Alzeihmers and so does my aunt, so better safe. I was always good at remembering people and now I am not so good anymore. Well I am going relax today---got my flu shot and I am very tired and besides I don't want to be in the cleaning crews way. Have a great day---it is so beautiful today and I wish it could last but the cold is setting in already with nights in the high 40s. Love and hugs, Pat

Still cleaning

2010-10-04T10:50:00.000-05:00

I tried to download the picture of my kitchen, but hubby's camera has weak batteries and it wouldn't come on, so will have to wait. The crew is still cleaning soot and I didn't realize how fast spreading the soot could be and how far it went from my kitchen.
Good news from the adjuster. We have $4,800 worth of damage and that does not count the cleaning crew and the carpet guy who will be coming and my trip to the hospital. I did go play bingo and won about $400, so that is going to buy me a new microwave to match my stove. Mine is black and it's old, so a new one will be good. They are replacing my wallpaper and ceiling tiles, so we have a lot of work in store, removing the burned wall paper and stripping the rest of the room. I am going to look for a soft white with pink roses that is not busy and the rest of the kitchen will be painted white. I am starting to collect pink things for my kitchen and my first purchase was a cupcake cookie jar. I want to find other pink small appliances if I can, but that all has to come after the new stove. I thought about stainless steel, but changed my mind because I like white.
My craft room was filled with black soot also, but they cleaned every little thing in the room---wish they knew how to organize---that would have been perfect.
I go today to find out if my kidneys are back functioning properly and I pray for good news. I think I am hydrated again, so that is good, but I am so sick of water and the only other thing I can drink is sugar free drinks and they leave a nasty taste in my mouth. I love orange juice, but the doctor took me off because of the diabetes. So far I am keeping my sugar at a normal range, but I had to give up lots of sweets and I love chocolate, so it was a disappointment to tell me to cut back and only have a piece a day.
Hope to have the picture of my kitchen up tomorrow and I am so thankful to God for helping me out on this one. I didn't panic, so that was a good thing, since I had to feel for the extenguisher in the dark. When the vent shorted out, it knocked all the lights out, which was a good thing.
Well I am going in my bedroom(no soot in there) and just relax until my friend gets here to take me to the doctor and do some shopping for a stove. Love and hugs and I hope you all are enjoying this beautiful fall weather we are having. The temp was 48 this morning and only getting into the 60s for today. Love that kind of weather. Pat

A new day

2010-09-30T08:50:00.000-05:00

The cleaning service came yesterday and measured the rooms because that's how they figure out how much the cleaning cost will be. They are really sweet ladies and said for me to just go in my bedroom and take it easy today and let them take care of the soot. They have to clean everything that is in the cabinets even. Then next week, they will come back to finish. It's not a one day job with my collections. A man will come after that and do the rugs and carpet. I did wash my curtains in the dining room and kitchen, but the living room is full of windows so I will just let them do their thing. When I tell you there is soot and fire extenguiser powder every where, I mean it's a lot for such a small contained fire, but the stove melted and the vent is totally gone, my wall paper is a mess and not sure what they will do about that. It certainly won't match the rest of the kitchen, so not sure if they will replace all of it, so there is a good side to every thing that happens. And right now I need to look at the bright side of every thing. I took a picture with Al's camera but can't find the cord to download it. We already bought the white paint for the kitchen, so after they finish with every thing, we are going to paint it white with pink accents. I am thinking of a soft rose pattern for the wall paper, something that will make me happy to be in the kitchen, but Al said until they figure out why I am so forgetful, he doesn't want me cooking when he is not home, only microwave. Thanks for all the kind remarks, because I was ready to just throw in the towel so to speak and just let them clean it up and leave it like it is, but a fresh new look will cheer me up and everyone's kind words helped me see the bright side of things.
Stephanie, that is so sweet of you to think of sending me something. I will look forward to it.
I hope you all have a great day. I think since I have to be out of the cleaners way, I will visit blogs today and finish the candy bouquets for the benefit on Saturday. Love and hugs, Pat

Kitchen Fire

2010-09-29T13:04:00.000-05:00

Well just came in to say I will be away for a few days. I accidently caught our kitchen on fire from a pan of grease. Who knew a little thing like that could do so much damage. The stove even burned, but luckily I can feel good in the dark and found the fire extenguiser and was able to put it out by the time the firemen got here. With me having bronchitis, I inhaled a lot of smoke and had to be taken to the hospital. A cleaning and air purifying company is coming to day to clean up my mess. I was fortunate that the First Alert got there and were able to put me on oxygen right away. Now we have to face the adjusters and we have a $500 deductible, which isn't too bad and we have full replacement coverage, so we expect the damages to be around $2,000, so hoping to get a new stove and vent. It shorted out and kicked our breaker so I was left in the thick black smoke, which went into the kitchen, dining room, living room and bath. It's horrible, but I am safe and it's only material things that can be replaced. So I will see you in a few days after all this is done. Love, hugs, and prayers, Pat

No pictures today-the love of a husband

2010-09-28T10:44:00.000-05:00

Well I don't have pictures to post, but I thought I would drop in and say hello. I'm still battling the infection and will go for more blood work on Thursday, then back to the doctor on the 4th. I am so sick of the pain, I took a crying spell and told hubby that I could still remember the day my life changed. May 23, 2000. The day before I work in my garden finishing up some landscaping and planting new vines, then the next day, I am in surgery and nothing has been the same since. No one needs to hear that you will be in pain for the rest of your life and that it will get worse with age. It was like a death sentence for someone like me who walked 5 miles every day except Sundays. I was very active, did craft shows several times a year, worked every day in my craft room till sometimes 4 in the morning and now I can barely care for myself. That's the one thing the staph has not taken away yet. I can still bathe and doing little things around the house, but to be able to spring clean has to left when someone can help me and I give instructions. That's where hubby came in and took over. If you ever met this man, you would wonder why I even left him, but stress is a killer of all things good and bad. But the happy news is that is has brought us closer, so God knew what He was doing. Everyone says, they have never met a man like him and he is a good man. His life changed along with mine, so on Sunday afternoons, it's his time. When I go to bed, it's his time or when I stay in the country, he has a little time for himself. He is an awesome husband and dad and always has time for other people. I don't think I ever remember him saying no to someone who needed a helping hand. Our house has suffered because of this and needs painting, but with working over time, he just doesn't have the time to do it right now. Hopefully my new injections will allow me to do more things and give him free time to do the things that need to be done.
Well got all that off my chest and feels like I have been to therapy free of charge. I know sometimes my posts seems like a downer, but today is supposed to make one feel good. There are many husbands who aren't taken seriously and I want you all to know that I do have a wonderful man to take care of me. Many would have just walked away and said to heck with this, but he stayed, even after hearing what the doctors said about the pain. And I do love him. So thank your hubby for the little things they do---like writing a love note with lipstick on the mirror before they get up. I can' tell you how many times I did that and then had to clean the mess-lol. I hope you have a wonderful fall day. It is beautiful and cool today, so no air condtioning on. Love and hugs, Pat

Hurry up Christmas

2010-09-20T09:53:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday everyone. Not much to say today, but I did get my blood work done, but couldn't tinkle for nothing. Drank 8 cups of water and still nothing. They are checking my kidneys because of some of my medications can cause renal failure. I pray it justs something simple, like dehydration. The test were done at 7am and I still haven't been able to go. I now this is a creepy post, but it's the only way I can put it.

I have 2 benefits I am working on and one is on the 2nd, so I must get busy. I made the candy wrappers already, so I will work on the kiss roses if my test go well. Still weak from what ever is wrong and hopefully my doctor will have the results tomorrow when I visit him.

It's very hot already and I am tired of summer, so looking forward to fall. The floor supports are up and will soon be starting the sides of the storage room so I can move back home. Things are going great and I am a much happier person now that I let God take over what I can't change. I never in my life dreamed that my sister and best friend would turn on me like a shark, but my life has to go on, so I no longer hold any grudges and wish that she could let go of the past and move on like I did. It would be wonderful to reunite with her, but I am not counting on that. Whatever God decides will happen and if He feels we shouldn't get back together, then so be it, but I do miss her terribly and I can't lie, it hurts very much, but she refuses to even speak to me.

I am so excited thinking about Christmas this year that if I wouldn't be afraid of the white coats coming after me, I would start decorating now-lol. I did purchase a few little things for my gingerbread tree. Found some adorable little cupcake ornaments to go on the tree. Well hope I didn't bore you to sleep. Love and hugs to all my followers and those who just drop in without commenting. Pat

Driving Miss Daisy

2010-09-19T12:20:00.001-05:00

Last night we went to a Broadway Show in our little town of Jennings and I can tell you that from experience, the players were awesome. The woman who play Miss Daisy never miss a beat and she was at the perfect age to play her, but the best part of the play was the man who played Hoke, her driver. The directer who is a friend of mine taugh him to correct way to speak fluant english and lose the African American diaolect, had to teach him to speak it again. This was also his first play and he was super great. If you have seen the movie, you know it was funny in the beginning, but very touching and tearful at the end. The cast had you believing you were right there in Atlanta where every thing took place. If you ever get a chance to go to your Community Theatre, you wlll not regret it. We had seats on the 4th row and it was so enjoyable.

My friend did a great job directing it and even though there were only 3 characters, the changing scenes were many and the man who controlled the light and sound had just gotten out of the hospital that day, and he was great and never missed a correct sound when it needed, including birds singing. It was truly a great new experience for me because I had not been to one in our little town before..
I am still on the down side of a bad chest cold,but should know something on Tuesday. It has dragged on for over a week and I'm afraid of it turning into a bad infection that could put me in the hospital, which is usually the case, so please say a little pray that antibiotics can do the trick. There is not much I can take for coughing due to my other meds. I am having friends over for dinner today, so that should be fun. Going to make my easy shrimp scampi with Texas toast and cake.
Hope you all have a Blessed Sunday. Love and hugs, Pat

My wonderful son

2010-09-14T09:54:00.001-05:00

You have to love this smile. It's one of my favorites. My son Donnie is excited about his trip to France on the 29th and he has been wanting to go since he graduated from High school. I am so happy for him, but I wish he could fit me in his suitcase. He will also try to get to Italy also if time allows. He has a wonderful job that requires flying alot and when he was young, we had to use elevators because he could not get on an escalator.

He was my first born and I had him the natural way and I never once regretted it and I didn't find it that painful. Of course I was very shy back then and I listened to whatever they told me to do, so the only thing that really bothered me was the sweat. I had very long hair and it was soaking wet. When I first laid eyes on him, I just thought how angelic he looked and now I look at him as the handsome young man he has grown to be. He is polite, gentle, and kind. Not sure I like the tatooes he has, but most of the time, they are covered up. He enjoys his work at Nike in NYC where he is Divisional Manager for Talent and Development, so his job allows him to travel to many states and see the USA on the Eastern Seaboard and Canada. He enjoyed his trip to Canada in the dead of winter and loved it and has since gone back for a mini vacation.

I know I sound like the bragging mom but let's face it, we all do it from time to time and I am so very proud that my children did not get mixed up with drugs and the wild side of life. Never had to intervene like so many parents have to do these days and I pray hard for todays parents. The social life can have so many pressures and some children just can't resist being part of the crowd. So sad. I will pray for all mothers and fathers that are going through this because I cannot imagine what that feels like.

Other than bragging, I have been a little down lately. My back has been so bad and now I caught a cold and I think it's from the stress. My brother is hard to take and there has been a lot of drama in his life, but he is slowly getting his life straight, but his wife, soon to be divorced in October, keeps calling him, then decided to press charges against him for breaking the restraining order. She called begging him to take her back and I flat out told him, I would beat him with mom's cane if he even gave it a second thought. LOL

I have got some organizing to do. My craft room is a mess and Al has started buying the lumber for the storage room. I am planning on moving back as the more we stayed apart, the closer we got. I know I walked away, and it's something I regret doing, but we all have to live with our mistakes and mine was a huge one the day I moved to my sisters house, but I can't go back, only forward. I will probably get nothing from our inheritance, but I look at it this way now. I didn't have it before and so it's something I won't miss. God will take care of our needs and sometimes He gives me what I want, so it's all good.
Pet Peeve for today
I hate it when people get into a line that is meant for 20 items or less and they have a full basket of groceries. No sense in having a speedy checkout if you let people check out with their full baskets, while your quick trip for ice cream turns into liquid.
Best get to what I need to do. Hope you all have a great week. Love and hugs, Pat

A Day we will never forget.

2010-09-11T10:16:00.000-05:00

On the Anniversary of 911, I hope everyone stops for a minute to pray for the victims and their families that were hurt or killed on 911. The memories of that morning are stilled etched in my brain, especially when my son called to tell me to turn on the TV. The images will never fade away. He couldn't get in touch with his partner and he often visite the Trade Towers, but luckily did not that morning, so one had to call me and I would call the other, because they couldn't call each other in NYC, so we relayed messages all day. It was a sad day for America as we watched and were unable to do anything but pray and go to the firestation to donate money.

I hope your day is good. I didn't have anything to post yesterday because all of my pictures are on my other computer, so sorry I couldn't participate this week. Love and hugs, and any prayers to all who are ill or taking care of aging parents. Pat

FruFru Friday

2010-09-10T06:10:00.000-05:00

Sorry that frufru Friday will be late today. I am driving with my friend to Baton Rouge to find out if it's a tumor he has. I have been praying that is not it, but we have to wait and see. They made him take 2 MRIs to be sure of what they found, so Please keep Bryan in your prayers and his sister is also having surgery this morning. Until later, I am on my way. Love and hugs, Pat

Happy FruFru Friday

2010-09-03T08:21:00.000-05:00

Happy FruFru Friday. These are angels my mom made that I keep in my craft room. She has so much lace and trimmings, I don't know if I will ever be able to finish all of them.

This one hangs on the wall and the same goes, with lots of wide lace to make just about anything.

This blue angel was glued onto the top of a candlestick and I have over 70 doll heads and arms to use. She is really frufru, but blue is not my color, so who knows, I may sell this one.

This is the back of the angel. My mother always finished the backs of things to give it a professional look. She sold these for $15 and I can't begin to tell you how many she made and sold at our craft shows.

Now this simple angel was made by yours truly. I love making dolls with clothespins and I have the wings from mom's collection, so I may make some for my shop, which I still have not given up on. I just need hubby to weigh everything for me so I can open the blog store and list the items.

I found this silver tray at a thrift store and it will be part of my store. The huge candy will be used with the rest of my Christmas candy ornaments.

This is my frufru TY bear and I just love her to pieces. She sits next to my beads in my craft room.

And last but not least, this is a doll hubby bought me and the little tag says "You can do it". How sweet of him to think that of me, but she is one of my muses that keeps me wanting to craft. I used to make dolls with occupations and have done a nurse to a doctor(special order). They are all sold, but I did find 2 of them that someone got tired of , so I bought them back for pennies.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my little frufru things as much as I like having them. Time to pull out some christmas frufru or halloween if I can get to them right now.

Wishing you all a safe Labor Day weekend. Love and hugs, Pat

Storage room on it's way

2010-09-02T11:04:00.000-05:00

I thought I would post some before pictures of where my storage close will be built. This used to be my square gazebo and you can see that all the beautiful vines have been pulled out and the structure torn down.

The above picture is where it will be. the size will be 8X20, so part will be my clothes closet when my craft room is expanded and the other half will be a sitting area in my bedroom. Al is starting this weekend with the piers and the foundation, so as he works, I will post pictures of the progress.

This is a view from the opposite direction and you can see where I painted on his shop and has held up for over 13 years. I used patio paint to free hand and stencil some butterflies on it. The little picket fence is just nailed to the building. The only thing left to do is pull up the lariope and I just don't know where to put them. I hate just throwing them out, because they aren't cheap anymore, so will try and put them in pots, so that I can relandscape the area when done. I hope to show you the finished room soon. I'll be using it to store my craft room cubes, so that I can move my bedroom set back from the country. Looks like I'll be moving back after the first of the year. The few years apart have helped our relatonship a great deal and it will be 39 years in November that we got married, then remarried on the 10th of December in a church ceramony.

See you tomorrow for frufru Friday. Hugs, Pat

Monday Funday

2010-08-30T12:31:00.000-05:00

I got my friend Bryan into altering puzzle pieces that Al cut out of birch and he is doing a fab job on them. The one below is of his father and the medals are his brothers who was killed in Vietnam. Can't wait to see more of his work.

I gave him some small wooden puzzles pieces that I bought at the dollar store and he is busy making Christmas ornaments for each of his family members and he making bigger ones with their picture on it and I saw some and they are turning out great. I want to try and get him to make a blog, because it's seldom you see a guy that likes to craft like Rosie Greer. I know a few other men who craft and do craft shows and they are good at painting outdoor things.

Things are going well except I need some prayers for a cousin who is 15 and is at this moment in surgery---open heart surgery for a hole in his heart. He was trying out for football and going through the physical when they found an irregular heartbeat and ran some test, so they took him by ambulance to New Orleans. I just pray all goes well for him. My aunt is beside herself. She is a soft hearted person and this is her grandson, so I can only imagine what she is going through.

Hope you all have a great day. Hugs and Blessings, Pat

Happy FruFru Friday

2010-08-27T10:24:00.001-05:00

Happy Fru Fru Friday. The picture below is a collection of pink boxes that I store my prayers books in.

Below is a mini pincushion that I frufrued up with some mini roses. I used a small tuna can for the top of the hat and some thick cardboard for the bottom. You just make a yoyo the size you need and pull the gathers and knot, then glue the 2 pieces together. I will keep this one for my bedroom as I never seem to find needles and pins when I need them the most.

This is a pretty box I found at a thrift store and it's used for storage also. I try to use things for storage as much as possible and this one is great for holding cards I receive.

This was not done by me, but my friend Bryan. I am trying to teach (lol) him to alter things and I had these hug wooden puzzle pieces that Al cut out and he did this one with some vintage wallpaper in honor of his mother. It really is pretty and he did a great job for a first timer. He has since done many others for gifts and they are really cute. The baby in the picture is my boyfriend that was killed in Vietnam.

Wonderful Birthday Gift

2010-08-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, I couldn't have asked for a better gift and that is my girlfriend is doing well. I talked with her this morning and she had a new sound to her voice. She went through the surgery fine and is expected to go home tomorrow. It was a blood clot on her brain stem and the doctors think it had been there since birth or childhood. Thank you Jesus for such a wonderful gift. I have to say I was so afraid for her, but got through the day with prayers. She is still having problems with her hand shaking, but hopefully that will pass. Thank you all for the birthday wishes on Facebook and the prayers. Linda said to tell all of my blogging friends, "thank you".

As soon as she is well enough, we are all going out to lunch. One of the girlfriends that I lost contact with will be joining us and I have not seen her in nearly 45 years and she has not changed as far as her picture goes. She is the sweetest little friend and I remember all the sleep outs we had, including at Linda's. We had some wonderful times together and I see Linda often enough to know what is going on in her life.. Again, I can't thank you all enough and Jesus for getting her through this ordeal. Love and Hugs, Pat

Prayers needed badly

2010-08-22T10:18:00.000-05:00

Today is not a good day for me. This is my best friend from high school and she is having surgery for a blood clot on her brain. Please pray for her and her family that every thing goes smoothly and pray for the doctors. She is too young for this and we are still good friends. May our Lord guide the surgeons hands and make Linda whole again, I ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy FruFru Friday

2010-08-20T15:17:00.000-05:00

My frufru for today is some of my collection of Red Hat things. I love collecting mice and have a collection of Tearrific Dolly Madison dolls in teacups. The first picture is my snow ladies and an altered torso that I did with a few gifts from friends.

These are my Dolly Madison teacups and they are so cute in real life and I'm not the greatest photographer.

These are my favorite. My little mice and bears. I started a cat collection, but I had to stop due to lack of funds, but can catch them up later. I hope you have a FruFru day. Love and hugs, Pat

New card I made

2010-08-18T13:41:00.000-05:00

I haven't made any new cards in a very long time, so while I was waiting for paint to dry, I went into my craft room and made this card. I am having a hard time focusing on staying busy because of the pain, so making cards usually helps with the pain, so this is what I made for my daughter's shop. She sold many purse cards for me, but now wants some with dresses on them and I thought this would be cute in her shop to go with the vintage clothing she sells. Hope you like it.

Need your opinion on my birdhouse-no hurt feelings.

2010-08-17T11:07:00.000-05:00

I need your honest opinion on this big pink flower, do you think it's too bright and should I change it to something softer. 2 people said it was ugly and it took away from the birdhouse. All honest opinions are welcomed and I won't be mad-lol.

Today is another hot steaming day and we did get a little rain last night but not enough to cool us down. My new air condtioner is so great, but walking into the kitchen is like walking into a sauna.

I hope your day is better than ours down in the south. I can take the heat, it's just the humidity that is so bad. I had a pack of oreos and they were sealed and when I opened them, they were soft from the humidity, I have even tried sealing things like that in air tight containers but it just doesn't help. Any suggestions? Well going to do some cleaning and then just relax with a book this afternoon. I have to get my driver's license renewed, it came so fast and I hate having to go through that and I must do it before Monday, so hopefully Friday will be a good day to get it done, if not today. Love and hugs, to all of you. Pat

Happy FruFru Friday

2010-08-13T17:32:00.000-05:00

Welcome to FruFru Friday and my little bear with the ugly face that I recently redressed. She was in a country outfit and a straw hat and I wanted to frufru her up and keep her in my craft room as my little muse. She does make me smile a little. I have a little baby that goes with her, but never got around to finishing her because this is the first day I have stayed home this week.

I couldn't find a hat to fit her in my stash of hats, so I gathered lace and added flowers and pearls to her to make it look like a hat.

The colors show up better in this picture and the bling is an old pony tail holder. I want to make her a wrist cuff and some earrings later on.

It's true what they say about Friday the 13th.Today has been a bad day. Had to get a new battery because Al's car would not start this morning. Now I have to get a new air condtioner for my bedroom because it's on 69 and it feels like it's 80 in my room. So Al will do that for me tomorrow. I have to sleep with a fan in my face because I cannot take the heat and one of my meds makes me feel hotter than it really is.

I hope you enjoy my little bear and I hope you all have a great weekend and your day didn't go like ours did.Hugs, Pat

FruFru Friday

2010-08-13T12:00:00.002-05:00

I'm not at home, so my frufru friday will be late today. As soon as I get home, I will post my pictures. I have been on the road all week long and had to go with a friend to Baton Rouge on Wednesday, then take my brother to the doctor yesterday, so I am run down and decided to stay the night in Crowley, but going back home this afternoon. Our car broke down and it's been nothing but bad luck lately. Something good will come out of all this soon, I just have to keep the faith alive and not give in. Love and hugs, Pat

Monday, Monday

2010-08-09T08:51:00.000-05:00

I'm not sure where the weekend went but here it is Monday already and we are under a heat advisory. It's bad enough when it's hot, but the humidity is as thick as butter. The heat index is supposed to reach 110. That's one reason my children won't come in the summer. They hate getting off the plane, because they can hardly breathe when they come. This is not a good area to live in if you suffer from allergies. Thank goodness, I don't, but you can shower and go out for 2 minutes and you just feel like getting in the shower again.

I've been busy working on FruFru Friday and it is coming out cute. I am thinking of starting my blog store as Al and I are thinking of moving back in together and I will have to find a way to earn extra money just to pay for my medicine. If it were only a few, it wouldn't be so bad, but with 15 medications it's rough. Guess I'll have to stay away from Micheals and Hobby Lobby-lol. It's not that bad, but I need "Mad Money", so hopefully I can get started soon. I have quite a few things for listing and some of the new things I've made. My prices will be very reasonable because I like shopping at Goodwill and always see things that I think so and so might like to buy. I Hope it turns out that way.

Well going to finish painting something for a friend, then put the finishing touches on my frufru piece. I forgot to take a picture of it before, so I will take a picture of a smaller one and might even give you a sneak peak again. Hope you all stay cool and have a great day. Love and hugs, Pat

Happy FruFru Friday

2010-08-06T08:52:00.000-05:00

Happy FruFru Friday everyone. This is a birdhouse that I had for a long time and it wasn't until Connie at Living Beautifully (see my favorite places to visit) inspired me with all her birdhouses and frufru things she made that I decided it was time to finish projects that I started. This is the front and I used everything I had in my craft supplies to do it except for the big flower at the top.

This is the back and for some reason the picture came out brighter. I need a new camera.

This is the side of the birdhouse and I'm afraid the little birdy will never fly away now that she has a nice little home to perch.

A sneak peek of frufru Friday

2010-08-05T12:06:00.000-05:00

Just a little sneak peek of my post for FruFru Friday. This was partially completed but it is now so full of frufru, the bird may never leave the house. I had so much fun. Connie has given me inspiration so the credit goes to her. She makes some fabulous things with things she has around the house, so I guess you can call me a copy cat, but they say that is the best form of flatterly there is and Connie, thank you for your inspiration and the desire to create again. I may not craft every day like I used to due to the pain in my back, but I do try and I am trying to finish projects I started. Can't wait until late tonight, so you can see the finished birdhouse. My only wish is that people around here liked the new frufru things as much as I do. It just has not caught on.

They found the gas leak and it was actually a break in the line that goes underground, so lots of digging to get to the pipes. I can't wait to move out of that house---is it January yet. I didn't want to move because they aren't going to sell the house, just rent it and we will get nothing. My dad would be very angry right now, even though he wasn't the type of person to show his anger, but this has gone on far too long and it's just time to break away before I go insane. Last night I had to take nitro again and next time it happens I am going to the ER even though it's probably just angina. The house has become a money pit and I thought our house needed some updating. Our house is fine compared to the house in the country. Al is working on the storage room between his job and helping my brother with the house in the country and I told him last night, it's all for nothing and as much as we like helping people, it goes unappreciated and I hate being called a bitch because I won't move out. God is watching over me and I know that great things await me and maybe I may never get the shop of my dreams and that's fine, but if our income tax is enough this year, Al is going to use that to build it.
Well I got up very early this morning, so I am going take a cat nap. Have a great day. Love and hugs, Pat

Rebecca's Christmas In July

2010-08-04T09:05:00.000-05:00

http://rebecca-gatheryeroses.blogspot.com/2010/07/christmas-in-july-giveaway-starts-today.html

I found a wonderful blog from Stephanie at Angelic Accents and Rebecca is having a giveaway. I hope you visit her blog and tell her Pat sent you. She makes some very beautiful items and has a wonderful blog.

Good news and bad news

2010-08-03T09:16:00.000-05:00

Well I would rather go with good news first. The doctor is putting my surgery off until after December because the injections and epidurals are working. Al will be able to give me the one they gave me in the office and I will get those every month and a half and the epidurals every 4 months. I have been scared out of my wits to have my spine cut into, so that takes a heavy load off my mind. I wanted to hug him, but didn't.

Now for the bad news. The house in the country came close to exploding. A gas line broke under the house and my brother went in it to get something and the gas was so thick, he threw up and ran outside. He closed the gas from the meter and they are going to work on it today. Thank goodness he ran out of cigarettes. We couldn't figure out why we were so tired and sleepy all the time, now we know why. He opened up everything and aired out the house, so cold showers until they fix it, which hopefully will be done today. Luckily my door to my room stays closed because of the air, but had I been there, cooking may have done it. Thank you Lord for sparing us. The living room air conditoner was bringing the gas into the house and that's where my brother spent most of his time. A guardian angel was surely looking after us, because this could have been a really bad turnout for both of us.
Well today I have to take it easy, so I'm going to relax from the injection and work on my bear. Hope you all stay safe and cool. Love and hugs, Pat

Prayers need for Mary

2010-08-02T09:25:00.000-05:00

Please say some prayers for Mary Rose at http://isabellascloset.blogspot.com/
She has been in the hospital and you can read about it at her blog. Mary is the sweetest kindest person and is always praying for others and now she is in need of prayers, so Lord, I ask you to watch over Mary and protect her. May You heal her with Your love for her and wrap her in Your comforting arms. Amen.

Friendships

2010-08-02T09:15:00.000-05:00

I'm in Crowley for a doctor's appointment and don't really have any of pictures with me, but I sneaked this one from my son, Donnie's Facebook. It's hard to believe that my first born will soon be 42 years old and my daughter turns 40 in February. Where has the time gone. There are days when I wish they were little again, but that is just my selfish needs. They have made me proud of their accomplishments and I am looking forward to Christmas this year. The last 2 were very sad for me and my friend as we both lost our fathers on the same day, one year apart.

I have a pet peeve about friendships and being used by people who claim to be my friend, but the minute they have a little extra money, they ignore me. Money is the root of all evil and she has really turned a situation into an ugly ordeal. What would you do if someone promised to pay the taxes on a $1,400 jackpot, so you won't lose your benifits, then renege on the deal? Well that is what happened and my best friend is the one who got hurt by all this and it caused me to lose my trust in her. Turns out, she is a user and only comes or calls when she has no money to play bingo. I don't need those kind of friends in my life. And worst of all, Al was going to buy her a ticket to NYC so that she could come with me in the spring. Glad we didn't book the flights yet. Our weekly dinners are gone, but I still have my friend Bryan who comes to eat even if it's just pizza.
So much for the drama. Yesterday I went to Goodwill and found a bracelet made with crystals, so I am going to re-do it to my own style and got it for $.59. Just one of the beads cost that, so I made out good. I am working on a bear right now for frufru friday and she will be all dolled up with lace and a boa. I have to look for a hat for her, because I have every size except the one that would fit her head. I made a list of unfinished projects and have been working on those before I start anything new. Making things for FruFru Friday will be fun. I plan on taking a regular shoe and turning it into a pin cushion, so that should be fun to work on.
Well shower time to cool off and get ready for my doctor's appointment. I sure hope he has some better news for me.. Have a cool day and stay indoors if at all possible. The temps yesterday was 100 degrees and today is supposed to be hotter. I tried working in my garden repotting, but just couldn't do it with the heat. Love and hugs, Pat

A peak of FruFru Friday

2010-07-30T17:20:00.000-05:00

Just a little something to remind you that I will be a part of Connie's FruFru Friday and hope you go and join. It will be fun to see what every one creates, be a flower or even a greeting card because I have frufrued a few of those with beads. You can check the link on my sidebar. Hope lots will join in.

Gene Simmons Military Tribute

2010-07-30T16:26:00.001-05:00

Too often we forget our troops and what they stand for and this is just an example of their off time. I appreciate all the performers who go there and let the troops for just a moment have a little recreation in their lives and let us not forget what they are doing for us. This also goes to the spouses and families of all our troops fighting for our freedom.God Bless them all. My husband was a Marine and is a Marine, as they say "Once a Marine, always a Marine". I am proud of his service and the things he did to help the troops. He was a company clerk who sent every thing from band aids to tanks and a little beer every now and then. Thank a soldier when you see them-we need to let them know we support them.

I have been on bedrest

2010-07-28T08:30:00.000-05:00

Oh I know it's only July, but I am getting antsy already about Christmas. I know Halloween comes first and I do plan on doing a little bit of decorating, but come Halloween night, I will pack up Halloween and start pulling out Christmas. I don't really decorate for Thanksgiving, because I give thanks each and every day, the Good Lord gives me.

I have been on bed rest. I'll be having an EKG to see if I had angina or a small little tic. I had to take 2 nitros and prayed that the 3rd would not have to be taken, because that ER time and I did not want to go to the hospital. Luckily, the vise grip, that's what it felt like, went away. I know it wasn't a panic attack because I was sleeping peacefully with good dreams and awoke to what felt like someone sitting on my chest and having a vise grip that kept tightening. So I have not gotten ready for Connie's first Friday FruFru Day, but will be there next week. I already have something in mind to frufru up, so hoping my plans go as planned.

I have been visiting blogs that I haven't been to in a while and it was great seeing all the nice work and thrift buys everyone has been doing and finding. I did find something very useful at Goodwill to be used in my shop, but I don't have my camera with me, so it will have to wait. I hope you are not getting soaked like we are. It has slowed down clearing the space for my new storage/closet/sitting room for now. Trees have been dug up, vines cut back to dig up and now are all in pots waiting to be transplanted to another location. Now onto the sod that has to come up for the footings for the room. I am rather excited to see things moving along and Al said it would probably only take him 3 days to frame it up, then the riping or should I say cutting out walls in my bedroom that will lead into the room. We have solid walls and not one piece of sheet rock in our house, so it's pretty sturdy and has with stood 3 bad hurricanes.

Well going watch the news, then maybe redo my address book. It's looking pretty shabby these days, so I bought a new one, which will probably be recovered to fit my fancy. Have a great day. Love and hugs, Pat