Quick Hello

Just a quick hello today as I have a dr. appt today and must get ready. I'll try and be back later for a little eye candy of things I have started collecting for my hopefully soon, new shabby chic pink, white, and blue bedroom. It may take a year, but will have fun in the hunting and painting. I hope you are not getting the nasty thunderstorms that have been happening daily. As we say here in the south, See ya later, gator! Love and Hugs, Pat

A very Proud Mom

Well to say I am a proud mom is an understatement. Here is a link to an article about Chris in the Vancouver Business Journal. Charity Thompson graciously sent me a picture that was not used of Chris in her shop. If you click on the larger picture, you can see my son Donnie peaking out from a newspaper near the picture window.

http://www.vbjusa.com/stories/2008-06-13/secondhand_chic.html

When she first told us about her new venture, I was really scared, but we told her whatever she decided we would support her 100% and now she is doing so good and loves her shop and work. She has done some rearranging since I've been there and it looks really nice. I am hoping to reschedule my trip soon. If you are ever in Vancouver, Wa. stop by on Main St. as there are numerous shops and I think I have been to all of them. I hope you enjoy reading the article. She is living my dream and I hope to someday have my own little shop again.

Wish I could say things are better, but they have only gotten worse, but my spirit is so much better. I will be moving back in with my husband on the 1st and it's going to be difficult as we have been living apart for over a year and our ways of doing things are so different, but I will adjust. We have been married for 37 years and I guess this is just another stage that couples go through not to mention the stress of the last 8 years. My medical bills were well over the $500,000 mark and we had to pay 20% of that, not to mention the $6,000 catostrophic deductuon. As long as I don't need another surgery, they are slowly going down, but there is surgery in the future and just trying to endure the pain for as long as possible, but I have will lose my medical card when I move back and you just don't want to know what I have to pay for my meds, even with our insurance.

I have been laid up in bed with my back, so haven't been doing much of anything. The dr wants to fuse the disks but I am so afraid. My injections make life a little easier to bear, but right now I have no one to give them to me and I can't reach where they go. I had an appt. scheduled, but had to cancel it to see the estate attorney tomorrow, so on Monday, they are going to teach Al---I just pray he can do them.

I hope every one who was affected by the floods are doing better and the bad weather stops soon. We had a storm come through with hail yesterday and expected to have the same today, so my computer gets turned off for most of the day. Prayers for everyone. Love and Hugs, Pat

The Floods in Iowa and other states

Today, I am counting my blessings and praying for all those who live near the flooding, especailly those in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the levees broke. Dear Sweet Amy, I hope you family stays safe and any others who live near by.

Dear God, Watch over Your shepards and spare them harm from

the flood waters that are destroying homes. Keep them safe and their

families together. Give them the strength they will need to rebuild and

the means to start over. I ask this in Your Sons name Jesus Chris. Amen

If any of you need anything, I am here for you. Just e-mail me if there is anything I can do to help out. I know they are already picking up donations here for the flood victims. When Katrina and Rita hit, all states were so generous in their response and help and for that we are all grateful, so it is our turn to help those in need. I pray this ends soon for all of you and you are spared too many losses. Things can be replaced, but lives can't. It was sad to hear about the boy scouts who died and the many people who drowned from this. My heart goes out to all of you. We don't live in a flood zone, but I am seriously thinking of getting flood insurance because we never know if it could flood here again as it did in the 40s and 50s. My prayers are with you. Love and Hugs, Pat

My real Treasures

Now for my really wonderful Treasures. Top picture is Chris and Donnie. He was on vacation in Washington and got to spend time with his sister. They are very close and have a wonderful relationship and the photo is proof positive. When I was scheduled to go, it was supposed to be a surprise that he would be there, but maybe next time. I told them, no surprises like that. I just love their smiles and they are like that all the time.

This is our youngest son, Jonathan, wife Heidi, gs, Jacob and gd, Theresa. Heidi had just graduated with honors from Nursing school and is now an RN at the University Hospital. Jonathan and Heidi have lost so much weight, so will have to get a new picture. The 2 sweeties are both enrolled in Advanced schools for the gifted. Theresa scored in the 3rd grade level and that child soaks up books like a sponge.

One of my best blessings was that I never had any problems with them, so I must have done something right, because they say children learn what they see.

Thank you for letting me share my Real Treasures that God so graciously gave me. Hugs, Pat

Today is a beautiful day except for the rain, which my garden is enjoying and now I don't have to go out in 90 something weather to do it. I hope everyone is doing well and having a fun summer. I have been busy cleaning and doing more organizing to keep my mind busy and my spirit up, because I have reached the bottom and there is no way but up. I've got several projects sorted out and as soon as my teeth are pulled and the pain gone, I think the craft fever will strike.

Wanted to share some of my great finds and some that I have collected over the years.

As you can see I love milk glass and have boxes stored in the attic, but most of it is for my daughter Chris from my mom years ago. The lamp was free and the vase came from my mom when she gave Chris some. The 2 little pieces were 59cents each and you can see the blue come through.

I also love beads and buttons, so I am always on the lookout for strange jars or containers. The big one is filled with 185 drops and little medallions and I have yet to decide what to do with them.

I love anything green whether it is old or not, but I have a few very old pieces and I love the pink ware now, but it's so hard to find here and when you do, well let's just say, gas comes first.

I have no idea what the little stand was for but found these vintage plates and they fit perfect, but still looking for something else to put on it. Now this lamp was a great bargain for $2.00 and the shade is heavy plastic that almost looks and smells like bakeware, but will have to research that. I also found a clear one, but not sure what I did with it. The creamer and sugar was bought at a gift shop in 1967 as a gift for my mom for Christmas and I'm glad she gave it back to me. The tray is missing and not sure what happened to it, but it was bought seperate from the set, so it may be in the attic.

My Joys Today
God has blessed me with another day.

I have a mortage to pay, so I have a house.

I have a phone, therefore I can speak with my
children when I am lonesome.

I have a computer, therefore, I have a circle of
cyber sisters who keep me in
their prayers and I too for them.

I still have some members of my family who love me
just as God made me.

I pray each day that you are thankful for the many blessings that we over look each day. It has been a rough 8 years for me, but God has helped me carry my crosses when they became too heavy and I cherish each one He has given me, because He knows my weaknesses and my strengths. May you all be blessed with whatever He brings into your life. I think it's a test of our faith and our humanity, compassion, and love. Big Hugs, Pat