Her husband (Jesse's dad) died from Alzheimer's on November 10th, his funeral was November 13th.

On November 16th, her mother died suddenly of a massive heart attack, her mother's funeral was on November 20th.

I've cried out to God to bring comfort and peace to my mother in law.  I've asked Him to take good care of my mother in law, as all of the holidays approach and she prepares to have her first (of many) experiences alone, without her husband by her side.

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

Picking up the story from there:

I sent her a CD of a capella songs by The Antrim Mennonite Choir, "Amazing Grace,"  and a little book my friend, Tina, sent while I was going through chemo, last year.  "In Him Will I Trust" by M. Basilea Schlink.  In fact, Tina sent the CD to me, also. 

The book is chocked full of comforting truths about our Lord God.  I prayed it would minister to my mother in law and I carefully picked a bookmark with an appropriate message.  "Randomly" (I thought!), I placed the bookmark in the book and mailed everything to my mother in law last Friday, when I knew we wouldn't be able to come back for her mother's funeral.

She called me yesterday and was raving about how much she liked the songs on the CD.  EVERY SINGLE SONG was bringing her comfort and peace.

She said she looked at the little booklet when it arrived, but didn't open it.  She said she was too tired to read.  But, the next day, she opened the book to the page where I'd placed the bookmark and read the the short message in large print, the only thing on that page (I don't remember what she said), and she immediately felt the presence of our loving, Father.

I was so grateful that I obeyed the urgings I felt from the Holy Spirit (to mail that particular music and book) and that the package had been helpful to her. 

Thank you, Lord!

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

But, before she hung up, she said,

"Oh!  I almost forgot to tell you.  For two days a strange (unknown) number has been showing up on my phone's Caller ID.  I had no idea who was calling me, because my Caller ID said it was a local radio station.  I don't even listen to that station. 

So, I called the number back and told the girl who answered someone was calling me from there, but I knew no one who worked at the station and had no idea why they would keep calling me. 

She asked my name, I told her, and she said, 'Oh!  Hi!  Just a moment, please!'"

Then my mother in law told me,

"A man got on the phone and asked, "Are you the woman who lost her husband and then your mother 6 days later?"

She hesitantly said, "Yes.  That happened to me."

He continued, "Our station has picked you to receive a fully cooked Thanksgiving dinner to serve 10 people. We will also supply a 24 case of Coca Cola.  That last thing you need to worry about is cooking a Thanksgiving meal for your family.  We will deliver it between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday.  Is that alright?"

CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The whole story made me cry. 

I am SO thankful that we have a God we can trust and depend on.  A God who loves us, His children, so much that He can't stand to watch our hearts break without doing something to help us.

While you list all of the things you are thankful for today (your house, your food, your family, your health, etc) DON'T FORGOT TO THANK GOD FOR BEING ACTIVE AND EVER PRESENT IN YOUR LIFE! 

For being FAITHFULLY in COVENANT with us.

I wish you could see the big grin on my face as I marvel at the size of universe and how God reached down to help one person who's heart is broken, right now.

May each of you have a VERY "thankful" Thanksgiving, and

Be Blessed  ~

Things in my head that are on my mind.  

Nothing huge. Just the kind of stuff that's best written down on a list. 

AND . . . these things *ARE* written down on a list; but still, I continue to mull them over and over in my brain.

I like the victory of things crossed off on lists!

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

My friend, Lori K, commented that I was responsible for her inspiration to MAYBE make a table centerpiece for fall/Thanksgiving.  Reading her comment made me realize:  I HAVEN'T MADE THE USUAL CONSTRUCTION PAPER LEAVES for the table!!!   

I usually supply each guest with 5 leaves and on the back they are instructed to write things for which they are grateful/thankful.  Cutting out the leaves might be a good project for the girls.  Annamarie, accidentally, threw out all of last year's leaves.  I like to save them in a "dated" baggie in my "memory box" - a hat box decorated by Stephanie - a gift she gave me, one year.

I trace the leaves that I find outside, then use black marker to draw the veins on the top side.  They're  big enough for someone to leave a large thankful thought! 

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

Another thing on my mind is the pressure of continuing to straighten up the, still cluttered, corners of my house. 

For the most part, things are put back, but there are some hot spots,

*  like the box of business papers to be filed (or thrown away) that sits in my foyer  
*  like the boxes of fabric and box of old cassette tapes that sits in my bathroom
*  like the stray things that sit on the bookshelves in Rissy's room
*  like the stuff on the kitchen table
*  like my sketch pads and x-rays (before & after pictures from my back healing in 1999) on my desk
*  like the things on the washer/dryer that need to go to the garage

Everything would look great if I could find a place for my strays and actually take the time to do it!!! 

With Stephanie's help, I got the china cabinet and foyer's marble chest refilled with the china and crystal.  We still have the extra (second) leaf in the kitchen table, making that table EXTREMELY LOOOOOOONNNNNG!  Our dining room table also has a second leaf and I recall, in the past, how Jesse has joked about our "Last Supper Table" and how large it looks in all it's glorious expanse!  I need to get him to remove one leaf from the kitchen table, so it fits in the room better! 

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

I'm desperately trying to catch up with laundry, today.  We still haven't had anyone over to climb up on the roof and unplug the dryer's vent pipe.  So, large loads in the dryer are verboten and regular size loads usually take two passes through to dry them.

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

Regarding the comments about my energy and ability to walk: 

Yes, it *IS* amazing!  I have worked very, VERY hard to get to this point.  I can do the long walks only when I have a grocery cart to hang onto.  I don't know why that cart is so important, maybe *mostly* because it holds my huge and heavy purse! 

My doctors have encouraged me to do all I can and I'm happy to say I haven't had to take extra pain pills.  I'm on the regular time released stuff, but yesterday afternoon I missed my dose and was still okay.

I have a lot of born-with-it "try hard" in me, and I have a Lord and Savior who loves me. 

I've prayed Psalms 104:3 over myself almost daily since the cancer diagnosis, last year.   "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases:"  (KJV) 

and also Jeremiah 30:17 -  "For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of they wounds, saith the Lord;"  (KJV)

I know that I've been labeled "permanently disabled," and some days are harder than others, but I've tried to stretch myself carefully, and do more than advised, and it looks like it's paid off.  The weight loss (a little more than 30 pounds) came as a bonus.  I have never gone on a diet.  It just happened.  I've continued to do exercises that strengthen my arm and upper back muscles and I do things to stretch and loosen my lower back and hips.     And, I have always had good posture (standing & sitting straight). 

The procedure on my neck (to "help" me) put me so far back, as far as pain and limitations.     I won't have that done again. 

I used the motorized cart at Wal-Mart, last week, and that sometimes happens to me, on a bad day (or week). 

The only things I don't do are: carry anything heavy, I don't bend to dig in cupboards, and I don't reach to pull things that are heavy from upper cupboards.  Those things have proven to be harmful to me.  Almost every time, when I reach over my head or stretch my arms, it's dangerous and can cause back spasms between my shoulder blades, despite the exercises I do.

AND,

I lay down when I begin to hurt.  That seems to be the trick - catching the pain in the beginning and taking all weight off of my backbone.

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

Another thing on my mind is WHERE DOES ONE GO TO BUY A CAN OF FLOCKING SNOW?   

Hobby Lobby didn't carry anything except the frosty flakes canned snow that sprays on windows or small crafts.  I'm talking about the big, lumpy, stuff that looks more like real snow. 

I have 4 or 5 large wreaths in the attic  that we used to put on the front porch posts at our old house.  Rather than throw them away or give them away, I'd like to reinvent them into flocked decorated wreaths to use indoors. 

Any ideas where to find heavy flocking? 

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

The last thing rattling around in my brain, today, is cooking, for the next two days, foods that aren't poultry!  I have a half of a pork roast that was last Sunday's dinner, and I plan to make hot pork sandwiches tomorrow night.  But, what to do tonight???? 

We are low on ground beef, however, spaghetti sounds good (even though Jesse doesn't care for it.)  I don't want leftovers crowding the refrigerator, even though we have two more refrigerators in the garage.  I'll need room for my pies and the 3 fruit salads (Jello-ish recipes) I'm making.  Taking out the 20lb turkey will leave some space, until the cut up turkey has to go back in the frig!  

We ate the last of the fresh vegetables last night -- broccoli.  That's a small piece of available space!

           
                                                       View from the front door - foyer.

I think it best I get off of here and take my bath. 

I'm not sure if the lady who cleans for me is coming today or not.  She hasn't for two weeks.  First week she had sick children (throwing up - yuck!) and last week we canceled, thinking we were leaving town again.

For as busy as I claim to be, I sure have a lot of time to sit here typing and posting pictures! 

Say "good bye," Cherylyn! 

Good bye! 

and

Be Blessed  ~

That doesn't sound right.   

But, in my case, it's VERY accurate!

We've done everything we need to do for Thanksgiving dinner AND Jesse's step-mom, if she takes us up on our offer and becomes our Thanksgiving house guest. 

Since early last week, Rissy has been in bed recuperating from her fever and then her URI.  Luci joined her in bed on Friday.  Today was the first day they were allowed to get up and play.

We have that nasty weather system moving in either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning.  Other than another ten pound bag of potatoes, I'm ready to be sequestered in my house until the Arctic air mass moves south of us.

But, I'm not sure my children are ready!

It was only 10am and they were running in circles and screaming . . . .   I realize they've been ill and this is the first time to be up and have freedom, but this  E.N.E.R.G.Y they had found was over the top.  And just think, they're getting ready to be stuck inside for at least 4 or 5 days.  

My heart nearly stopped at the realization, these children already HAVE cabin fever! 

I haven't told the girls, but this is a No School week for us.  We haven't taken off any time since we started back to school, the Friday after Labor Day.  I think they only missed one day for the funeral, last week.

Sooooooooooooo, I told them to get dressed quickly because we were leaving.  I told them I wanted to get out of the house today and we were going to 92 million places.

They know "92 million" is my favorite gigantic number, but I don't think they really associated my "92 million" with gone all day window shopping!  And, window shop, we did!

Boy Howdy!

We left here around 10:30am and just arrived home at 4:30pm!

We picked up refill prescriptions as the drug store and went to PetSmart for some anti-clouding solution.  Ends up, we are supposed to be siphoning out 25% of the aquarium's water and replacing it with fresh water ONCE A WEEK!!!!!! 

Who knew?  

After talking with the "fish man,"     we looked at ALL the reptiles, ALL the hamsters, chinchillas etc., ALL the birds, and, FINALLY,  the cats.  We killed quite a bit of time in there.  It's one of the few times I could let the children take as long as the wanted to look, because I had no agenda.

Next, we went to "Garden Ridge Pottery," a warehouse of everything you can think of from silk florals to crafts to purses to scrub uniforms.  They aren't as nice as they used to be, but I needed one specific thing they had (a small white Christmas tree for Stephanie) and we ended up looking at all of their home decor, the lit and decorated Christmas trees, ALL of the Christmas tree decorations (aisles and aisles of them!), and picked up our ONE item and a cute set of fuzzy polar bears for a table top decoration! 

Next, we went to "Applebee's" for lunch.  Rissy and I split a fried chicken chef salad and Annamarie & Luci ordered from the children's menu.  We were there quite a while, eating a leisurely meal.  The bill was only $18 for the four of us.      I used my will power and said, "NO," to the dessert offer!

After THAT, we went to another craft store, "Hobby Lobby."  It was a dangerous place and I could have easily spent $500.00 in a few hours!    But, I didn't HAVE $500.00.  So, we only looked. 

Truthfully, we *were* in there a few hours, and we walked, and walked, and walked; but, STILL didn't see all of the store!  I was looking for some white flowers to use in my winter garland greenery and didn't find any.  But, I picked up some red & green tissue paper, some mini lights, and some battery operated candlestick lights.  I drug the girls along with me every step of the way.

They began to beg to go home (tee! hee!). 

After paying for our few things, we still weren't headed for home.  We had to make a stop at the ice cream store, "Braum's."  They carry *holiday flavors* and we HAD to buy some peppermint ice cream.  I also bought double chocolate cheesecake ice cream and cherry limeade sherbet. 

THEN, we went home!

Jesse called, at some point, in the late afternoon, and said to pick up any groceries I thought we might have forgotten.  Other than the white potatoes, we are in pretty good shape. 

And,  of course,

there's always tomorrow!  

Be Blessed  ~

This is the week we, Americans, all start to contemplate the things we have and those things for which we are grateful.

We weren't able to go the the funeral of my mil's mother.  We had clothes in piles, ready to be packed, and the washer ran constantly, trying to clean all of last week's travel clothes.  Rissy and I had body aches and unexplained fevers this past week, and we rested in bed (in between loads of laundry and fixing simple meals) knowing we had to turn around and travel back to Amarillo, again. 

We had already suffered a blow of a possible legal action being taken against us over the sale of a vehicle.  The other couple are Christians, but the wife was scary as she talked of going to court, etc.  We prayed.  Eventually, THEY prayed.  And, as it stands, there is a possible way out without a headache for ether family.  Something about a glitch in the vehicle's title being free and clear. 

I'm grateful for my Lord God who is ready to defend us and who looks at our hearts, instead of how issues look on the outside!

Then, another change:  Rissy became ill while we shopped, Thursday, for Thanksgiving Day groceries.  We went into the store with her blowing a drippy nose and arrived home with her chest tight and a stubborn cough.  I grabbed the "breathing machine" and the medication - all of which expired in 2009!  I gave it to her anyway and prayed her lungs wouldn't become worse.  As we ate dinner, Jesse looked at me and asked, "Do you think we should stay home?"  I knew the answer immediately, "Yes."

Immediately, I called my disappointed mother in law and told her we simply couldn't come.  I had so wanted to be there for her.  She said she went to pick up my father in law's ashes at the funeral home and her mother was laid out in the room across the hall for viewing.  Such a hard, hard time for her.  All of us are grieving, but my mother in law has lost her husband and her mother in less than a week.  Please, PLEASE pray for her.

I'm grateful our God is a God of comfort.

We got an appointment for Rissy at the doctor's office (first thing Friday morning) and then Luci woke up congested and coughing that same morning.  I'm SO GLAD we didn't go.  Rissy has a horrible infection in her right ear and has been started on antibiotics, as well as "up to date" medicine for the nebulizer machine.

I'm grateful for modern medicine. 

The house is a mess.  Very few rooms have been put back in order since the carpet installation, which seems like light years behind us, now.  So much has happened in our home in such a short amount of time!  The kitchen dining room table still looks like I'm preparing for a garage sale.

My desk is a sea of papers and files that need to be cleaned up.  And, it's the only place to put my teaching books for the girls school lessons!

We continue to eat in the formal dining room and I'm grateful for a cotton WASHABLE tablecloth that covers the nice tablecloth.  We still have to be careful, but I don't have to stress if a grain of rice hits the tablecloth: and, trust me, more than a grain of rice has hit the tablecloth in these past weeks!!!

We have managed to keep the den neat, although it is so dusty!!!!  It's a room where we can gather and relax without having to clear a spot to sit down.  Jesse and I watched two movies (or at least tried to follow bits and pieces) yesterday.  We NEVER watch movies.  I think we both needed some diversion from the burdens that have been heaped upon our family.

I laughed last night at the carpeting by the ottoman.  Engraved in the high pile of the carpet's fibers was the name, "RISSY" who had been lying on the floor!

This morning, before I vacuumed the den, I wondered what the little punch hole spots were in the carpeting.  They were everywhere, like someone poked the fibers down randomly with something round.  That's when I realized, it was the dog's paw prints sinking into the carpet. 

We ARE grateful for our new carpeting.

At some point, between the two deaths in Amarillo and the trips we were planning, I managed to put a bookcase, that was formerly in our kitchen, into the den.

                              
                                      I like it, so does Jesse, and I think I"ll spray paint it black.
                                        (See the little depressed dog footprints in the carpet?)

I feel so helpless amidst all of this tragedy and I think "fluffing my nest" is a way I can make myself and others feel cozy and protected.  In reality, only God can comfort us, put I still go through this ritualistic "thing" of mine.  Plumping a pillow here, wiping a speck of dust there.  All mindless acts, as I try to make sense of all the people I've lost in the past year.  My dad and brother (this time) last year, Jesse's dad, and there's the cancer diagnosis and other HUGE life changing turns our lives have taken.

God has been with me, every step of the way and I've never faltered in my walk with Him.  In fact, I've drawn so close, there have been times I didn't dare take another breath without contemplating His will for me, first.  Without my heavenly Father, I don't know how I could have possibly survived the past few years.

I'm thankful for a God who is real to me.

I've added little fall touches here and there around the house.  I did most of it the day before we left for Amarillo LAST week.  Not much, but something to welcome us home after the funeral.

We plan to keep Thanksgiving dinner low key.  Of course, my mother in law is invited, we aren't sure she will be able to make the trip, and the meal is more simply than past meals.  In fact, since the majority of people don't like turkey stuffing, I'm not making any.  What's Thanksgiving without turkey or stuffing?  It's *THANKS* giving and I'm fine with the simplicity I've planned. 

Turkey with gravy, several fruit jello type salads and cranberry sauce, mashed white potatoes & caramel glaze over sweet potatoes, buttered green peas, rolls (that I only need to warm up), and pumpkin & pecan pies for dessert.  The appetizers are WAY scaled down, compared to what's "normal" in our house  - a platter of a variety of pickles and olives.   That's it.  THE END.  Most things made ahead of time and VERY simple for me to cook.

Stephanie might bring the stuffing and a green bean casserole, but I'm not worrying about anything.  We still are having a nice meal compared to many who have no where to go for Thanksgiving (and that has happened to me in the past, too!). 

I'm thankful for our home and family. 

It would be nicer if Niki lived closer, but it isn't so.

I'm thankful and so grateful for the love and prayers my Xanga friends have extended to me and our family.  Prayers are wonderful and as much as I enjoy praying for others, this has been a time when I've coveted the prayers of others FOR us.  My mil also said she felt the prayers of many and it has given her strength each day to take one step after the other.

Thank you, ALL!!!!!!!!!!!

So, it looks like we are home, to stay, this week.   Maybe things will slow down for us and we can put the remainder of the messy house back together.

Jesse is outside chopping the last of the firewood.  We have (as I'm sure everyone else has) bad weather moving in for Thanksgiving.  I think it's supposed to arrive here by Tuesday night.  Jesse said he doesn't intend to buy firewood this year.  We will just set the furnace a bit higher than in years past and wear all of our new sweaters!  When we run out of wood, we run out of wood.  We have a generator, so it's not like we are dependent on firewood - it's just become our custom for the winter months.

Ah!  Another blessing! 

Stephanie just called and said she'd come over, in a little bit, to help put back the china cabinet things in exchange for a cup of coffee.  What a deal!

Yes, I'm blessed AND thankful!

Be Blessed  ~

When we reached the turn off for Corn & Thomas, Oklahoma, I was shocked to learn we hadn't been on the road for several hours, as I had thought!  The driving wind made us feel like the past hour was much, much longer.  We were tense from watching out for other drivers.

There was a pleasant break in the weather, when we came to the Oklahoma/Texas border.

 When we reached Amarillo, the sides of the roads were covered in snow.

I met a lady in a restroom, traveling in the opposite direction, and she said they had had about 5" of snow in Amarillo, the night before.

We were glad we only found lots of deep puddles, and the snow that remained did not impede our driving.

Then, we set out to find a hotel and check in, before the family was due at the funeral home for the viewing. 

NO HOTELS AVAILABLE!

We thought, "Not seriously?  NO rooms, ANYwhere???"

It ends up, there was a national rodeo in town and, of course, we hadn't reserved a room in advance. 

Our young nephew told us where his family was staying, and they had a hallway of rooms still available (at a greatly increased price, per night!).  Of course, we took it, and we were so very glad we had a nice and clean hotel room.  They also served a good breakfast in the morning for free (although the price of the room didn't make it feel like it was "free")!.

The funeral plans went well, as far as everything being as the family had requested. 

My mother in law's mother came to the funeral, she had always been close to my father in law and liked him quite a bit.

The flowers were beautiful and people didn't send many arrangements, AS THE FAMILY HAD REQUESTED.

Jesse was a pall bearer and that only required them lifting the casket from the wheels and into the hearse.

The funeral director instructed the pall bearers to remove their flowers and place them on the casket before closing the door to the back.  I thought that was nice.

I've never taken pictures at a funeral before, but I knew Jesse's siblings (in Tacoma) might appreciate them, since they weren't able to be there in person.

My mother in law was so glad to see me, and said quite a few times how I have a way of making her feel calm.  She said I looked good and kept hugging me.  I've written letters to her (this past year) every few weeks.  She said each time she felt upset, one of my letters would arrive.  I was VERY glad I decided to make the trip. 

It *was* stressful and Monday afternoon I started to feel chilled. Ends up I have a 100+° fever.  Rissy came down with the same thing, today.  No symptoms, just a fever and body aches.

We left on Sunday in the early afternoon.  My favorite sister in law (Hi, Angie!    ) and Jesse's brother were an hour behind us with their rental car and arrived at our house shortly after us. 

Sunday night, I made a huge green salad with hot chicken slices and had pumpernickel rolls. A perfect "light meal" after all the traveling and casseroles, etc. people had brought to the house.

Richard and Angie left this morning, very, VERY early, and when Jesse returned from taking them to the airport, he woke me up.  That's when he told me,

"My mother in law's mother died this morning from a massive heart attack.

It was all a bit hard to process, but we will be going back again (same time, same funeral home, this coming weekend) to take care of my mil's mother. 

I'm worried about my mil, needless to say.  She's been caring for my fil for such a long time (Alzheimer's) and was preparing to rest and make a new life (alone) when this news hit about her mother..

Those of you who have known me a while might remember that my own Dad died last October and my brother died (suddenly) from H1N1 flu, less than 6 weeks later.

My heart goes out to my mil and Richard, who was very close to his grandmother.

I continue to do a little bit here and there, around the house, to put the house back together.  When we returned, things were still stacked here and there, from when the carpeting was installed.  It's going to stay that way for a while, too!  I just can't face wiping everything down and putting it back in the china cabinet. 

I think I need to rest, regain my strength, and drink lots of water!

Please keep our family in your prayers.  Prayers for us traveling safely, finances, and prayers for my mil's heart would be greatly appreciated.

Be Blessed  ~

We've come back from our trip to the funeral in Amarillo.

Rich and Angie are here with us, before they take a plane back to Virginia. 

Last night they fixed part of my computer problems, so I have my computer back.

I have my house back.

I have my comfy new bed back.

I have half of my pets back (Jesse will get the dogs today and take Rich's rental car back) and then it will be a full house again.

The funeral was tiring for me (very large, huge family) but I'm glad I decided to go.

Maybe this week, the china cabinet will get a cleaning and all the dishes that go in it and I'll have order back in the front of the house.

Since my bil & sil are still here, visitng and relaxing, I'm going to say good bye for now.

Thank you ALL, so much, for your support and prayers.!

Be Blessed  ~

Not necessarily the house the way I would like it to be,  

but, at least,  the "strangers" are gone. 

The strangers are gone and they left new carpeting on our floors!  

I don't have pictures of the final product and everything neat and tidy - because it's not neat, nor is it tidy! 

We used two tall plastic waste baskets to save some of the old water from the tank, and then treated the new water with a chlorine killer liquid.  We also found out our tank is much larger than the 50 gallons we thought it to be!  When I filled the plastic waste baskets with tap water, I mixed hot and cold.  I was trying to not boil the fishies    , but to also guess at the temperature that was similar to what they had been living in for the day.

We only lost one little fish.  Not sure if the move caused a rock or shell to crush it or if it died from a heart attack.  We had four of this one type of fish (a Tetra) and the 3 others made it through just fine.  I'm guessing one of the above happened to the lone victim. 

I think Jesse was amazed, too. 

I don't know if my hand was warm and they were cold; or if they felt some sense of familiarity with my hand being in there.  All in all, it was a really neat experience for me!

I took some pictures yesterday to show the difference of what we had and we (NOW) have.

             
           This picture shows the height of the new carpeting compared to what we had.
                                     (New carpeting in the background)

                           
                                         Frankly, I'm surprised that the doors still swing shut!

We found a champagne colored, super thick, plush carpeting at a close-out price.  The color is almost identical to what our old, dirty, deteriorated carpet color had become!  Remember, when we moved in here in 2004, we KNEW we needed the carpet replaced! 

I don't know how we made it this long!

Last night, we enjoyed walking from the new carpeting to the old carpeting, and back onto the new carpeting, again. 

We were like little kids playing with the new and old carpet levels!!! 

It was like walking from a mattress onto a blanket laid on a concrete slab. 

Basically, that's all we had left in some areas, a thin piece of carpeting and no pad left at all. 

We *WERE* (quite literally) walking on the concrete slab foundation!

  
 
         This isn't an accurate picture of the color (the white look, in the first 2 pictures, is closer),

               but you can see that the new pad (they put under the new carpeting) was thicker

                                        than the old carpeting *AND* pad!!!!!!!!!!!!

    
                          The new yellow pad was higher than the old pad and carpeting put together! 

And, the dust they swept up, after removing the old carpeting and pad!!!! 

OH MY GOODNESS, 

the house needs to be thoroughly dusted from the sandy silt we were living with totally unawares! 

Not to mention the gross little critters buried in the old carpeting! 

YUCK!!!! 

         
                                        Here's a small portion of one completed room.
                         The carpet threads are actually high enough to show vacuum tracks!!!!!! 

I took my sister in law's advice and moved the bookcase out of the corner of the den and scooted the TV back.  (I'll use the bookcase in the kitchen)

I'll remove the fig tree.  I tried it there, but I don't like the way it sticks out over the TV, like some great elk antlers or
old-fashion rabbit ears antennae!    

The mantle is still a mess from holding all of the nic-nacs up high and out of harm's way.  In fact, my entire house is full of clutter  ~  everywhere.

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Jesse got a call, Sunday evening, that his dad wasn't expected to live more than a few more days, so he left very early this morning (Tuesday) to spend a few days in Texas.  It's all horrible timing, with all that's going on in our household, but I don't believe death ever considers "timing," nor is the timing ever "good"  when it comes to a loved one dying. 

As far as putting the house back together, I'll do what I can while Jesse is gone, and I'll leave the rest for him to help me with, when he comes back home. 

When Jesse made the decision to leave, Stephanie immediately asked if I wanted her to come here to help.  She spent yesterday and today helping with the girls.  She said she could come back Wednesday if I needed her help.  I need SO MUCH help, and I hate to inconvenience her, but I'll accept her offer, if she offers it again!  

That's something (or ONE of the things) the chemo changed in me, last year. 

Chaos makes me VERY nervous. 

Monday morning, we had the dryer repairman here, the carpet layers here, the call from Amarillo came in again, and calls back and forth with Jesse's brother back East and his siblings out West,  the dogs running in and out, the girls running in and out, we had NO cash for Jesse to take with him . . .  

It was a lot going on at one time,
and I just don't handle stress like I used to.  I think I used to "THRIVE" on stress. 

I can't put things back in the china cabinet without an ADULT to help, and that can definitely wait.

All I really care about, tonight, is making my bed!!! 

Be Blessed  ~ 

(and please pray for my mother in law, as she says goodbye to the love of her life    )

Talk about a mess, at my house!!!  

I mean . . .

What is this, anyway?

A Garage Sale????? 

Nope! 

It's our kitchen table, 

AND, it's everything that used to be

Can you imagine the whole house stripped down to the bare bones of the furniture ONLY????

We never replaced the glass in the marble chest in the foyer, so the dining room table is also storage place to the marble chest items (that were crammed into the china cabinet!) 

    
                                             The ceramic dolls are Rissy's.

I've taken the advice of my friend, Lori K, and have taken a picture of each shelf in the house, so I can put everything back in its place.  (nic nacs, books, pictures)

Even my grandma's desk has been photographed before being moved.

I'm going to love the new carpeting when it gets here, but the "getting here" is sure a mess! 

                        
                                    I'm looking at the bright side of living amidst chaos , , ,

. . . it's a perfect excuse for spring (er, aaaa, "FALL") cleaning!    

We'll be disconnecting our computer tonight, and I won't be back here until Tuesday night, or Wednesday.

Our dryer (the NEW one) has not been drying properly, so we will also have a repairman out to look at that in the morning.  

Can you picture the insanity of our lives these next 72 hours?!!!   

Be Blessed  ~

I am feeling better, no huge pain, now.  I still have problems turning my neck.  When I press my neck and the top of my shoulder with my fingertips, I feel like I must be black, blue, and purple inside!  It's very tender to the touch.

I don't think I'm going to have anything else done to my neck, unless the deterioration means I'm close to risking paralysis.  My neck was fine until they started sticking needles into my spine!  Seriously, I had no neck pain, BUT I DO *NOW*!!!!!  

The whole thing (this second time) was successful in that I have feeling back in my finger tips and I rarely have that numbness from my elbows down.  But, now I have constant PAIN in my neck, instead.  I'm not sure this was a good trade off!

It is taking me a long time to recover from this last procedure and I'm able to teach school and pick up a few things around the house, etc.  VERY light work.  Then, I feel sleepy in the afternoon when I lie down, and I could probably fall asleep, if the girls didn't need me for 92 million different things!

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On Monday, Jesse and I went to Wal-Mart for our grocery shopping.  It was the first of November and a mad house, but we HAD to go.  I used the motorized cart this time.  I just wasn't up to walking.

We ate at a pizza place before shopping.  When I got home, I put things away and then simply had to stop.  My neck hurt.  My shoulders ached.  That night, I slept like a log.  And, I slept until 9am the next morning!  Every time I have a busy day, I sleep like I've been moving furniture all day!  Totally exhausted.

Tuesday was spent cleaning up the junk piles around the house and doing laundry.  Slept like a log that night!

Yesterday, Wednesday, I rested in the afternoon so I could make it to church.  I did make it, and was so glad to be back in the fellowship of others!

Today I go for my monthly Zometa IV (the bone strengthening stuff) and the girls have a spot with their therapist.  They no longer go weekly.  I think every Thursday in November is filled with something I have to do.  Lots of annual check ups, etc.

The gal who cleans called Tuesday and couldn't come because a child of hers had a stomach bug.  I told her not to come on Wednesday, either.  No sense taking a chance.  Who wants to throw up? LOL!!!!

This weekend, I'll have to take pictures of my book shelves and the china cabinet's shelves.  Our new carpeting is scheduled to be installed Monday and Tuesday.  I can't wait to walk on it, instead of standing with one foot on our 5" x 7" sample and imagining what it will feel like!!!   

Jesse said we should put the extra leaf in our kitchen table and move all the china cabinet stuff out there.  The girls and I can use the dining room table for home school.  Jesse said they told him they'd move everything except breakables (the china cabinet stuff) and our computer.  We are responsible for only those two things. 

We have to figure out a safe way to move the fish.  Their base doesn't have rollers.  Our tank is around 50 gallons and quite heavy.  I don't know whether to fish them all out and put most of their water in a bucket WITH the fish, or, to leave a small amount of water in the tank WITH the fish and then refill it with their old water.  The balance of the water is such a touchy thing, as is the temperature. 

Remember the baby fishies I had in the brandy sniffer (on top of the tank)?????  We put the babies in the tank about two weeks ago and have only lost three!  Rissy was watching the fish swim, and a Molly came up behind a little fish and gobbled it up in one bite.  Rissy stood there screaming, "No!  Nooooo!  NOOOOOO!   That's gross!" 

Anyway, the orange Molly babies are close to becoming about half the size of our Neon Tetras.  It's amazing how big they grew (and how quickly) when introduced to the bigger tank!  We added a grass that hangs from the top and we often see the babies up there between their feedings.  A safe place to hide from the bigger fish.  AND, such a neat thing to watch. 

It's like the ocean's waves, I never grow tired of vegging out and watching the scenery!

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I've been praying about a new diet (way of eating, not to loose weight) and a friend at church, last night, came up and talked to me about the very changes I've prayed about.  The pastor of the church we attend on Sunday morning also is on the same diet, after having a bypass this time, last year.  Mostly, I've been praying that God shows me what changes I need to make AND gives me a desire for the things that are most healthy.  Fortunately, we eat (and enjoy) a lot of fruit and vegetables in our family.  My diet would consist of adding beans and pastas and cutting down (or completely out) meat and animal products.  I've rarely followed diets during my 57 (and a half   ) years, so I'll need God's help in the discipline area!

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My sweet cat, Chirper, has been sick.  I took him to the vet last Friday and he received and antibiotic injection, a liquid antibiotic to take at home, and something for nausea & vomiting.  He was pretty sick and losing weight quickly.  Since he suffers from feline leukemia, I knew I had to stop the illness immediately.  Lots of prayers and even my telling God I understood, if it was time for God to take him out of my life, and then the waiting game. 

For the past two days, he has looked more like himself.  Until then, he clung to me like when I first got him.  Something about my body's warmth, my heart beat, and just being close to a living being made a difference in his recovery.

He's asking for food again.  He's "talking" to us.  And, this morning, he got out of bed with me, followed me to the bathroom, and climbed up on me (at the sink) so I would hug and kiss him (a "thing" we do each morning).  Thank you Lord!

I really need to get dressed and take care of few things around here before we have to leave.

Be Blessed  ~