Happy New Year from the Jochums

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

An Almost Perfect Christmas

Our Christmas was almost a Perfect day, but Chris and David could not be home with us. This is my wonderful family, bottom row, left to right is Me, Pat, granddaughter Theresa, grandson Jacob, and Al

Standing from left to right is our oldest son Donnie, dil, Heidi and our youngest Jonathan.

Now you can see how happy I felt that day and for the first time in over 10 years, I was pain free. I just wish it could last forever, but I am enjoying it while I can.

Now Donnie's smile was worth a million bucks to me after not seeing him for 2 years.

Not many decorations this year, but having him home was the best gift after Jesus's birth.

Jonathan and Theresa in the kitchen having fun. Jonathan is 6 ft. tall, so you can imagine how tall Theresa is for being 9 years old.

That's my little angel and I'm praying Chris will have children, because I think Jonathan and Heidi

are finished having children.

She is such a sweet child, but when I have her and her brother together, they fight over such

silly things, so I try to have one at a time. Of course Jacob is at the age when it is not cool to hang with granny.

3 generations of Jochums, so hopefully when Jacob is old enough, finished with college and finds his mate, they will have a boy and we will have 4 generations. Al's mother is still living, but his dad drowned when he was about 3 years old, trying to save his nephew from drowning. His mom raised 5 boys alone at a time when there was no welfare for her.

Everyone, including myself, thought they were not ready to marry, but Heidi was pregnant and here they are together and will be married 15 years this April. Both have great jobs, but I always wished that he would return to college and get his degree like our other children and Heidi.

Here we are, the men in my life---Al is still a part of my life, even though we can't live together.

Chris, if you are reading this, we missed you and David, but we understand. Maybe next year, we can all be together and you and David will be married by that time.

Our Christmas was not about gifts, but about Jesus and Love of Family, so for me, it was the greatest gift.

Donnie left on the 28th and flew out on New Year's Eve, after visiting some of his friends. He rested and then caught a train on New Year's Day and spent a few days in Montreal. He will now leave for Portland, Oregon and will have his Christmas with Chris and David in Vancouver.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my family. We are very close and we all love each other unconditionally. They are my strength and it's what kept me fighting when I was so sick.

I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas with your families, because without family, there is a void.

We are having a deep freeze, but nothing like people are having in the Midwest and North, but with temps in the low 20s, we have to take precautions and get things as though a hurricane were coming, not to mention protecting pipes. There is a possibility of some snow mixed with ice. I like the cold weather, but not in the teens.

I wish all of you the best this year filled with many Blessings, lots of smiles and buckets of hugs. Take the time to say I love you or that you are sorry for hurting someone when you didn't mean to. Life is too short to hold grudges. Love, hugs, and Prayers. Pat

This could go on Forever

I am having the time of my life and I wish it would last longer, but this has been one of the best weeks I've had in a very long time. The guys are gone to watch the Saints play, so I have a day to myself.
Last night Donnie and I went to play bingo and he won $150. He was so excited because when he would go and play with his mawmaw and pawpaw, he never won. He will be leaving in the morning and visit his friends in New Orleans, then fly out New Year's Eve. From there he will be leaving on a train for Montreal for New Years. He took lots of pictures and I am hoping he downloads them to my computer before he leaves---I still haven't found mine.
We did a lot of talking about things and he has helped me make some big changes, so the New Year will be a good one. We are looking forward to taking a train ride to Washington in May. This will be new experience for me and on my Bucket List. Next will be Niagra Falls when I go to NYC.

The only thing that could have possibly made Christmas better was having Chris and David here, along with my parents, but they were all with us in spirit.

Chris sent me a box full of vintage pillow cases and doilies, plus an Ole Soul Angel that she and David picked out when they went on a weekend trip to a Bavarian town. I always believed I was born with an old soul, so she knows me well. Also got a gift card to Micheals and some vintage wrapping paper. I will post pictures as soon as I locate my camera.

My hope this year is for people to pay it forward if you have received many Blessings.  My wish for everyone is to enjoy Life to it's fullest, because it's gone in the blink of an eye. Our friends across the street lost 2 cousins that were brothers, just 20 days apart and both were very young. So please keep Steven and his family in your prayers.

Not sure if any of you watched the weather, but Tornadoes ripped through here on Christmas Eve morning. We were lucky because it just passed above us and touched down on the other side of the I-10. Donnie and I both heard the roaring and the winds were blowing things around the  backyard like crazy. We went to bed with them saying it was only a watch, so we didn't worry about it. Please pray for these families. Donations were picked up quickly and 2 huge trucks with wrapped gifts were delievered, while men were up on roofs trying to cover up empty attics. If you are interested you can go the Crowley Post Signal and see the devastation it caused. Minor injuries, so no deaths except in Scott where a tree fell on a young man's trailer.
Well got to get going and get dressed. I hope you all continue to enjoy the rest of the holiday. Love, Hugs, Prayers, and Peace. Pat

Sad Day in our family

My aunt called me yesterday to let me know that my cousin's wife had succumbed to her brain cancer after 6months. I know Freddie is heartbroken and my heart hurts for him. His wife Chris was a wonderful woman who enjoyed life, family, and crafts. I know she is at peace now, because she did suffer from terrible seizures and headaches. The tumor was inoperable, so it was just a matter of time. It was Chris's wishes to be cremated, so a memorial will be held at a later date, so we can all attend. I lived with my aunt and Freddie could get away with anything with me. Please keep them all in your prayers, because Freddie is really going to need them. Chris was so much a part of his life and I know he will have a very hard time. His mom has gone to Texas to be with them. Thank you all in advance for your wonderful prayers that I know you will say. Love and Hugs, Pat

Just another day in my life!

Hi everyone. I said I would not post anything negative again, but getting it off my chest always helps me and this time it was the worst thing that could happen to me. As I said before I was to have another epidural on the 7Th and all went well. It was scary at first when I saw 7 different injections, so I asked the nurse if those were all for me---yes! Before he started, my doctor came in my little waiting area and I broke down and cried, so we talked and he decided it was time to increase my bipolar dosage. I was feeling so good until 4 days later when my 2 sisters came to pack up the youngest sister's things. My sister and I had a huge argument and it led up to her yelling at me to shut up, but not the words she used. You can push someone so far and they finally pushed me to a breaking point and I decided to stand up for myself, but she ended up throwing a glass of water in my face. Normally, I let her walk all over me and bow to her, but I took my bottle of water and threw it in her face. It made her so mad, I guess she wasn't expecting that from me, that she came up right to my face and I didn't flinch an inch, making her really mad and she punched me in the mouth and it knocked me to the floor, hitting my head on a cabinet handle then to the floor smack on my back. My younger sister saw everything, but told the police she didn't see anything---3 feet from me. I was bleeding every where and she wanted to wipe my mouth and I told her not to touch me. My sister who hit me, started laughing and making jokes about having the police take pictures and saying in a very ugly way "Oh she's hurt, call 911 and the police" all the while laughing at me and calling me crazy. It's one thing for other people to call bipolar people crazy, but when your family does it, it hurts deep. They all have stolen my trust and taken away what feelings I had for them. So now, I am removing myself from them completely after my children's urging. When I was out of their lives I was the happiest person you would ever want to know. I just happened to go to Goodwill this past weekend and found a book "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted". So I asked for their forgiveness for the things I told my younger sister, but now I want them out of my life. I got an email from the youngest, but I have put them in my spam folder. I emailed her back just as I did my other sister and told them if they have anything to say, email Al, as he is taking over power of attorney, so I don't have to be subject to getting assaulted again, then have them all lie about it. I am free and God is taking care of me. My children are very upset and said things I never thought they would say about the sister who hit me. One of them does not trust her anymore and that was very hard to hear, but it's the truth. I will not put myself in that situation Ever again. My epidural didn't work and I have to have an MRI to see if the bulging disk has herniated. I had to postpone my angiogram because I could not lay on my back, but I think I may be able to now, so I am calling to reschedule it today. I prayed a lot about filing charges and have decided that I will let God handle this for me, except for my brother. He has abused too many women to allow this to continue and I would feel worse if he ended up really hurting a woman or worse, killing them.

Other than that, life is good--God is great. I have my craft closet organized and have sent what I don't need to Al's to store for me.

Well I had to get up to take some meds, so the heating pad is just right. The swelling on my left side of the spine is still swollen, so I go from heat to ice. My doctor doesn't know about this assault and I know what he will tell me. I can't have another epidural for 3 months, so I will have to live with the pain for a while. I know many of you are sleeping, but I will still say Good Morning and hope your day will be as joyful as mine. Love and hugs, Pat

A Pink Warrior sent me the sweetest gift and I will take a picture and post it later. It brightened my day so much that I cried tears of joy instead of pain. Thank you so much.

What to do when your own brother assaults you?

This is not an easy subject, but my brother has been giving us problems and was stealing things from the garage and has taken all my dad's tools without permission. He came to get some flower pots that my sister said he could have but she asked me to go in and make sure that's all they took. He got upset and told me not to look at him with "those eyes"--whatever that means. Any way, he locked me in the dark garage and when I walked to the door and turned the deadbolt, he shoved the door into me, but I grabbed onto a bed frame to keep from falling. I was stuck in a corner and he grabbed me very hard by my arms and when I told him to let me go because he was hurting me, he shoved me to the floor atop a stack of boards. I had over 7 bruises on my back and a bad scratch on a piece of jagged wood. I couldn't move because I fell right on the bulging disk. He told the police that he never touched me but I will post the pictures when I transfer them from my laptop. I have his entire finger print bruises on both arms. I also hit my head on a ladder. I called 911 and he asked why I wanted to do that, because he had enough problems already. I know I am pouring my heart out in public, but there is more to this that I just can't divulge. I was taken away in an ambulance because I had to take a nitro. The doctor refused to Xray me and they gave me Nothing for my pain. This was Saturday and on Friday, I had to go in for an epidural that did not help at all. The physical and mental exhaustion is what caused me to become ill and has weakened my immune system, therefore, they have me resting for 3 to 4 days. I reported it to the police and filed a complaint--I do want to press charges, but not sure if I should. He is violent and we had a very expensive deadbolt put on my bedroom door. Brenda called him and told him he is not allowed on the property because I am paying rent, so he is very angry. I am just confused about what to do, but the female deputy said I should bring charges because abusive men are likely to do it again.
All opinions are welcome.
I did sit in the bed today and made a bible bookmark for our Church Bazaar and a pocket rosary.
I lost another 2lbs and not sure why. I will be making an appt. with my gastro doctor to have a second opinion and I see my pain management doctor on Thursday---he was very upset when he saw the bruises. To top things off, Al accidentally dropped a heavy board on the top of my foot and have a very bad contusion, so can barely walk on my left foot.
Sorry that I always have bad news and rarely anything good to say, but I am doing extra praying for my smile and happy attitude to return and I know it will. I am tough cookie and never give up, no matter what cross God sends me. My Faith is strong, so I know I will heal from all this drama. I have done so much for my brother and it's just hard to believe that he could be so cruel and then lie to the police, but I don't think he realized that the bruises would show. He told them I slipped and fell---his wife even told him not to lock me in, then she told the police that she accidentally locked me in, but yet I saw him when he slammed the door and put the key in.
Okay, enough of that. I have been re-doing some things that I found that were horrible and dirty and can't wait to show you next week.
My 60Th birthday came and went and was very uneventful.

Please keep my little grand niece in your prayers. Her swab test came back and she has swine flu, but a mild case, but they are watching her closely. This is Libby that I took care of when I lived in Gramercy. We had 5 people die in Louisiana just this week.
Well I need to get back to bed. It's easier at night because most people are asleep, so I have an easier time with the dial up. Blessings to all of you. Pat

Here for 2 days

Well my children are living it up in NYC and the gc are having a blast as I knew they would. Theresa was amazed at the Ferris Wheel in Toys R Us. They have snow flurries right now, so they may even get snow. They are doing indoors things today and just called to talk to granny. The plane ride was their first and she sat at the window and looked down just as I did on my last trip. I am sure they will have exciting tales when they return, but it will be lonely for Easter.

We had 2 deaths since I left. My niece's gf died after breaking his hip and Thursday, his wife died, but she only had a few weeks to live anyway, so it was not a shock. Our little niece(42) who has cerebral palsy is taking it hard as they have raised her after their mom died.

Living in the country is great. I get out every day for some great 15 minutes of sun and I am sleeping so good. I have measured more material than I care to think of and still have almost 100 boxes to measure. I did find some nice old vintage pieces and a few pink things like a candlewick pillow my mom did, but did not finish into a pillow, so that will be done for my room.

While there, I went to a place called Caring Hands that sells used goods to help feed people and got a wonderful old vintage doll dressed in pink lace that really doesn't look old, but the doll is. Will try and take a picture before I leave and post it. I also bought a necklace with garnets on it and it may be real, but the jewelry store was closed until Monday, so have to wait. I also found a beautiful ring in a parking lot and so far, no claims have been made. The police and store said no one has reported a lost or stolen ring, so in 2 more months it could be mine.

Not sure if I told you about the vintage small dresser I bought, but we found some tiny pink and white tiles at dads, so I am looking for a pretty plate to break and make that the center piece. I thought about not breaking it and just building up around it and use it for jewelry. I do have a small plate from moms that would be perfect, but not going to break that. They also gave me 13 vintage looking white and gold drawers pulls and I need 14, so will have to decide how that will be done. I do have 2 old glass knobs that could be used on one drawer.

For some more sad news, my friend Carol called at 1:30am and said that little Kaden is back in ICU. He started turning blue and went into distress, so please keep them in your prayers.

My blood pressure is finally under control and the sugar is dropping, but not sure about the cholesterol---I go for blood tests in 3 more weeks. At least this statin drug isn't giving me bad side affects.

I miss all of you and having no computer in the country is not fun, but I never realized how addicted I was to it, so I am getting more exercise and reading a lot and just relaxing so much. I've had more visitors in 10 days than I had in a long time. Seeing old high school friends is wonderful, so we are planning a dinner out with some that were fun to be around.

I did get to go thrifting and also found an office filing cabinet with 4 sections---2 across, so it will be handy as a table also. I have so many medical files that we need it just for that. It was funny because yesterday, we got a letter from our insurance company saying that I got into a wreck on Dec. 5th and it was not an wreck---it was the morning that I woke up with a huge leg, so now we have to get it straight before the insurance will pay. We are just getting that NOW! I would be willing to bet that there are more mistakes on some of our hospital billings that we just might have to check into.

I hope you all have a Blessed Easter. Our Lord will rise in the morning and what a Blessing for all of us believers and also for those who don't yet believe. They are in for a wonderful surprise when they leave this earthly home and go to their real home.

Please pray for my brother, Marlin. He is going through a rough time and sleeps all the time. He won't admit that he may be bipolar, and he is losing so much weight and looks very sick and old. My sil is very sweet but it has put a lot of stress on her.

Well I am off to see what Goodwill has since I have been gone, then going to visit my friend in Lake Arthur. They have sold their parents home already for $53,000, so who ever bought it has $27,000 equity into it. Bryan and his sister got out voted on the selling price and it's a huge home in great condition, but needs some updating like mine and my parents. Guess we will probably get little for his house also. Bryan's sister bought a tiny house with 2 bedrooms so he won't be homeless. It's old, but has been updated and is very cute. Have a wonderful Easter and will see you soon. Love, hugs, and prayers to all who need it. Pat

What a Wonderful Feeling

This is my little grandnieces, Kaykay with the hugs smile and her new baby sister Sabrina on the left. Libby is the one on the right that I took care of. As you can see, the baby slept all day, so I didn't get to hold her.


The last day I posted, I totally forgot to mention that my daughter turned 38. She and her boyfriend are talking babies, but I am praying for marriage first. We talked for almost 2 hours after she returned from her wonderful weekend getaway.


Al of course turned 60 on Monday and he said he doesn't feel it in his mind, but only body. Our oldest will turn 40 on the 21st, so I am working on a surprise to mail to him. Our youngest has his head in a cloud and has yet to call his dad and wish him greetings.





We had a wonderful time at my nephews this past weekend, but sad to say it ended on a sour note. I wanted to have my picture taken holding Sabrina, the newest baby of my nephew and his girlfriend yelled that there was no way, and she was not going to wake the baby up because she finally got her to sleep. That baby slept all day, while mom got drunk. It hurt, but I told her that was fine and walked to the car leaving everyone behind. I'm glad I did because there were quite a few who had something to say to her and I didn't want to hear it. This young girl needs prayers and that's all I have for her now. I am the only one who didn't judge her and she treated me like c&^%! I don't understand what possesses people to be so cruel and loud so that others hear it.





Today, I am feeling so good, I could go out and re-landscape my yard---NOT! I have been working in my craft room and doing little things until Al gets home and does the heavy work for me. I hate being dependant---it's not my nature, but it's something I had to accept to avoid making things worse.





My sister gave me a beautiful coat for Christmas and I am hoping I get to wear it at least one time before spring gets here. Her new shop is so nice and if any of you are ever in Gramercy, stop by and tell her Pat sent you. She now has a wedding and ball gown section. She got the building for a really great price and bought the doctor's office connected to the store, so her hubby now has his trucking firm there. She is thinking about running for Mayor and I am hoping that she gets it, because she is really good at running things and changing the bad to good. We are now waiting for the next baby to be born on the 20Th, another girl, so that makes Brenda have 14 grandchildren, to my 2 and I didn't get to hold the last one. Oh well, my heart will heal.





Well good news is that Al will be starting my huge closet this weekend, if it doesn't rain. Part of it will be used as a sitting area for reading and beading cards. I am in search of a nice comfortable chair that I can either recover or get a slipcover for it.


Time to go back to work. I hope everyone has a great weekend. Prayers for all who are sick or fighting cancer. Love and Hugs, Pat

A Great Day

Who knew that a few days away could re-energize you. I have been totally busy decorating and running to the hospital. Bubba is getting better, but will be in rehab, but he has lost 61 lbs and can talk so much better now.

I already has visitors coming to see my house and it's not finished, but they will return when it's done. Lucky for me, they didn't notice the boxes every where and just noticed the gingerbreads.

I hope you all have a very Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving. I don't shop on Black Friday---it's just not worth it, especially when fights start over some product that we can all live without. If I had a choice, it would be Micheals or Hobby Lobby, but Al has to work and the mail must go through.

My Joys today
Beautiful Day from God
My friend is getting better
My wonderful neighbors
My family and friends

My Thanks to God for all the many blessings He has bestowed on us this year, even the pain is a blessing because it motivates me and brings me closer to Him every day. Love and Hugs, Pat

It's beginning to look like Christmas

Well the elves showed up at our house and it's really starting to look like Christmas. After Thanksgiving, we start decorating the trees and it's always fun looking at them as many of them have a sentimental meaning.

I save the Nativity things for last and at night when I go to bed, it's the last thing I see and in the morning the first. We have already made plans for next year to make a display in the entry, so when you walk in, you know Jesus comes first for Christmas. We need small tables that can be taken apart and stored. Al has even thought of painting a background with mountains, palms, and a Bethlehem scene. My brother is coming over for Al to paint a memorial sign for mom and dad to put with his Christmas yard decorations, since he has all of dad's things. I can't wait to bring the gc to see it. We always take them riding to see Christmas displays. We gave our youngest son our first nativity and just as they did when they were young, my gc remove Baby Jesus until Christmas and then put him in his crib.

I start early because it takes time to do it, but I take the same care as I did when I prepared for my children's birthdays, so preparing for Jesus's birth always takes more time. I even bake a cake and the children blow out the candles and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.

Good news today, my friend was moved into a private room, so is doing a bit better. His doctor said if he keeps improving, he will get to be home for Thanksgiving and go to therapy as an outpatient. I wasn't planning on cooking, but we will see to it that Bubba has a good meal. If his electric wheel chair is ready, we may take him to my brothers with us, as they know him.

I did go to bingo last night and it was very quiet. We all signed a card for J and it will be a long time before she returns to bingo. She is afraid that the rapist will be there and see her. She is going to therapy, which is good. I got there early and got a parking place just outside the door.

My Joys today

Jesus forgives me every day

My friend is better

My husband's love

My children and family

Sunshine

Flowers blooming

My wish today is for World Peace and cures for all the diseases that plague us. I know that Heaven will have all that, but it would be so wonderful to have it here also. Love and Hugs, Pat