March 19, 2010

• Changes

  The paint in the den turned out great.  There is still a mess needing to be put back - books on the fireplace and collectibles on the dining room table.  They are predicting a record snowfall on Saturday, even blizzard conditions, and we need to be able to use the fireplace.  Books and fire don't mix!  It's supposed to be near 70 degrees today.  Can you say, "Oklahoma?"

                                 

  There are birthday presents hidden in my closet that need to be wrapped.  It takes me several sessions to box, wrap, and place ribbon on my children's birthday presents.  I simply can't stand bent over a bed that long, and that's where I do my wrapping, to hide things from my children!

                   

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  This is a time in my life that is entertaining a lot of different changes.

  I'm mainly the one in control over those changes.  In fact, many of the changes are absolutely my own doing, my own choice.

  I've contemplated many things over these past twelve months.  It was almost exactly 12 months ago when I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Several weeks later, we also heard the news of how that breast cancer had metastasized into my blood and had grown tumors in my vertebra.

                   

  Here I am today, healed of breast cancer (totally) and without having had the slightest cut on my breast or chest wall  to removed the cancer.  Healed, by the power of God!  Not because *I* did something right, unless you call relying on God as "something right," but I'm healed because of a loving, heavenly Father.

  Then the bone cancer report last December: bone tumors miraculously shrunk away.  The radiology doctor I saw yesterday also commented on the unusual report from my December PET scan.  "Unbelievable healing" in my back.

                  

  The past 12 months haven't left me untouched emotionally.  Obviously, my strength and faith, regarding my relationship with God, have increased and I'm immeasurably grateful for what He has done; but, I have also changed my perception of how I treat myself.

  I've always loved pretty things.  I've collected my ancestor's china, etc. as they died off, one by one.  I've kept those items enshrouded behind the glass of china cabinets, or (when I had no china cabinet) reverently wrapped and packed in boxes to protect them.

                  

  I recently decided to USE the pretty things.  I've decided to surround myself and USE the things I think are pretty - the things I had once only looked at, daring not to touch or use. 

  I bought several tea cups and saucers from eBay over the past week.  One note arrived with a cup and saucer, "I lost my job 18 months ago and now am faced with selling my precious collections to make the mortgage payment.  I never used this cup and saucer.  I saved it for a special time.  I hope you find a "special time" NOW and use this cup before that "special time" is lost and it's too late."

               

  Wow!

  Doesn't that speak volumes of what so many of us are guilty of doing?  Waiting for a special time?  Waiting to use the "good dishes" and only using them twice a year - if that.  Why?  Why isn't NOW a special time?

  I've also ordered some lovely (to me, anyway) note paper and pads and it arrived this week.  I look at these things and tell myself it's not necessary to "save" everything.  There is no excuse in the world for NOT using these things that bring me great pleasure.

            

  Why make do with paper torn from a spiral notebook, when there is lovely stationery in a box in the desk drawer?  For that matter, I enjoy writing letters.  Why don't I write more?

  Why drink out of the sturdy and sensible mugs when you have an abundance of beautiful cups and saucers staring at you, each time you walk by the china cabinet?

  Why is my china packed away in the bottom of the china cabinet, so hard to get to that, it's not worth the time it takes to haul it out and use it?  Why am I not using this stuff?  I received the china in 1972.  It's pristine condition should be enjoyed - not saved for the future!  It's highly unlikely that it can be passed down to a daughter who will love it as much I love the pattern!  *I* picked it out - I picked it for "me".  *I* should use it.  I've decided we're going to start having Sunday dinners in the formal dining room, using formal dishes and our formal furniture.  I want to create a beautiful tradition my girls will remember about their childhood when they look back, memories after I'm long dead and gone.  (Yes, Margaret, a bit of Sarah Breathnach has rubbed off!)

           

  I'm making many changes willingly, and I'm finding that I (a person who usually resists changes) am enjoying every hour of my days.

  I've found some sites online and copied new recipes that are totally different from my normal cooking routine.  We've found two recipes that were delicious.  So delicious, in fact, that when I went to bed the night after cooking a couple of them, I realized the reason the house smelled like a restaurant was because I made different recipes for dinner that were off the beaten track of my normal same ol' same ol' menus.  Different spices, etc.

  Paprika Chicken with Sour Cream Sauce

  1/2 C flour
  2 tsp paprika
  1 tsp garlic powder
  1 tsp black pepper
  1 tsp ground red pepper

  4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (I cut mine in 3"x3" pieces)
  1/4 C butter

  1 can cream of chicken soup
  2 green onions (I used onion powder and 2 T chives since we have people who hate onions!)
  8oz container of sour cream

  Stir the first 5 ingredients together in a shallow pan (I used a pie plate)
  Blot meat dry and coat with flour mixture. 
  Heat butter in skillet and cook chicken for 10 minutes, or until it's well browned.
  Removed Chicken.  Stir in soup and onions, heat on low.
  Return chicken to pan and cover.  Cook 5 more minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
  Stir in sour cream and allow it to blend well.

  I served this with roasted potato wedges, but there was enough sauce to serve it over rice or noodles.

   
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  I'm finally using all of those candles I have saved "for special."  Today I'm burning "Pumpkin Spice" in the kitchen and "Mulled Cider" in the foyer.  Why not?  Why not use what brings us pleasure instead of waiting?

  

  I'm determined to use up the grocery store lotions and begin to use the beautifully scented Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works lotions I've received as gifts, or have bought for myself.  Why smell good only on "special days"????  That ludicrous!  

  No more saving things for a special occasion.  God has given me an extension of my years here on earth and I intend to live, love, and be happy with life.  I know sad times and woes will cross each of our paths, and I know some things are not within our family's financial reach, but there is no need to linger on sad times or pity ourselves over our income bracket.  No sense in making sad times last any longer than necessary.

    

  I bought mini-cinnamon rolls at Sam's yesterday - just because they looked good.  No special occasion!

  Be Blessed (and use your nice stuff!)  ~

  • 1:09 pm
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