That’s been my “mantra” this past week!  

I’ve accomplished so much in the past few days and managed to lie down, in between, to save my back. 

Yesterday, Jesse took the girls with him and they were gone from late morning until after 5pm.  While they were gone, I mixed up four different cookie recipes and baked two of them.  The other two had to chill, so I figured I could bake those today.  I also have two different cookies that still need their frosting.  I think that will be a good and perfect project for the girls, today. 

No pictures, yet, but for those of you interested, here is a list of what I baked this year (so far):
     *  Anise cookies
     *  Fruit cake cookies
     *  Hello Dolly bars
     *  Date nut bars
     *  Bourbon balls (an OLD family tradition) 
     *  Pumpkin cookies
     *  Russian teacakes

and the dough is chilling for: Chocolate Pixies and Chocolate Refrigerator cookies. 

I need to make the dough for shortbread cookies and chill it; and I also need to make fudge.  IF I feel like it, I may make a chocolate & peanut butter fudge – but, I’m thinking, most likely, NOT!  We have plenty for ourselves and plenty to give away as gifts.

               
                           (my computer’s screen saver matches the rest of the decorations around the house) 

I’ve taken a very, VERY slow pace, but I have also *slowly* crossed things off of my list. I feel such a sense of accomplishment and so rested.  I’m really enjoying ALL of this!

Thursday, Jesse and I finished up the last of our shopping and bought a few groceries.  He treated us to lunch at Chili’s and I got the hamburger I’ve been craving!  That was the day the girls bought gifts for each other.  I love watching their serious faces as they pick only the very best for each other.  Their desire to please is so sweet.  Despite the arguments throughout the week, they still have a kindness for each other and a serious bonding going on!

Now I’ll have to start all of the wrapping.  The wrapping of 92 million boxes!!!! 

          
                                                                (an earlier picture)
                                         (the two end stacks have multiplied & are much higher)

Putting everything in boxes seemed like a good idea, at the time . . . I STILL think it is a good idea, and I believe I have found a way to simplify the procedure.  Instead of making awe inspired bows and ribbon, I’m going to try a band of ribbon around the middle (only) and where the ribbon meets in the center, I’ll use a name sticker to hide the edges.  Since they will be stacked, no harm will be done. 

I *will* put some big, pretty bows on a few, along with a sprig of holly, a flower, berries, or a pine cone.  I’m sure, none of the children will miss having a package with a bow or flowers!

I remember wrapping everything at the kitchen bar (last year?).  It was higher than a table and easier on my back.  Since every, single thing is in a box this year, clearing the bar of bakery ingredients and using that to wrap is my next plan of attack!!!!  No one can tell what’s in the box or who the box is going to.

We’ve all relaxed after dinner, each night.  Last night, we drove around some near by neighborhoods and looked at lights.  We’re enjoying our quiet house and a family movie (here and there) on TV.  “Lifetime” is showing all kinds of warm-your-heart movies in the evenings.  I love sitting with Jesse and the girls all cozied up in the den.

Part of relaxing is turning on the lights on my ficus trees and lighting a couple fragrant candles.  I’ve used pine scented, and/or bayberry or mulled cider in different rooms.  Everywhere we go, there are gentle, twinkling lights and a wonderful aroma from the flickering candle flames.

We’ve talked and talked about the events leading up Jesus’ birth.  We’ve talked about WHY God needed to send His son in flesh and blood.  We’ve talked about the last, and perfect, blood sacrifice to atone for our sins of the flesh.  Then, in the car (or just about any opportunity) we quiz them and at least one of them will ALWAYS get the answers right.  That’s the best gift of all.  I love knowing God’s Word is alive in my children’s hearts.

A strange (and anonymous) package arrived yesterday, in the mail.  A box with our Sunday church’s address, but no name by the address and no name on the card.  The box had a variety of small gifts for children, almost all of them were duplicated in sets of three.  We don’t know if not signing the card was a mistake, or if someone wanted to do something nice for the girls and maintain a secret identity. 

I’m using gift sacks (yes! I’m done with boxes and making any more work for myself!!!!!) and filling each with the items from the church box.  Then we’ll let the girls know the story behind the goody bag.

Jesse slept in late and he just got up, so I need to say goodbye here and wish you all a PEACE-FILLED weekend.  I can’t believe I have a week left and so many things are nearly finished.  I’m also glad I stuck with my plan to SIMPLIFY and enjoy these days!

Be Blessed  ~

In the old days, I would have been upset with my time being so unbalanced.  I would have plunged ahead, making several batches of cookies (or at least the dough) and been so very tired, in the process.  And *that* would have made me even more grouchy.

           
                                                                 (dining room table)
                                          (silver and white – don’t know why it looks gold)

Today, when it was 1:30pm and time for lunch, I didn’t dwell on the fact we had barely made it through half of today’s assignments.  The girls are missing absolutely simple, silly things. 

Like:

“What’s wroooooong with this.  What am I doing wrooooooooong?!”  (those spellings indicate a whine in their voices)

Me:  “What number comes between 42 and 44?” 

“Um, 50?”

“No!  No!  Wait!!!  I mean 11? no, ummmm . . .  6?”  (my question marks indicate their lack of confidence)

“No!  Wait!  Oh, I don’t knoooooooooooooooooooooooooow, this is too haaaaaaaaaaaaard,” they wail.

And I’m not making that question up.  It really was in the 2nd grade math book, just like that: “What number comes between 42 and 44?”

(expelling large breath, here, before continuing)

Nope!  No cookies baked.  I’ve cluttered the bar with every ingredient a number of recipes could possibly contain, except for the eggs.  There are three sticks of softened butter that have been sitting there, since Sunday. 

I know I have everything I will need, because there are bare spots in my cupboards and hardly any room left on the bar to prepare dinner.  Ha!  I caught myself making a typo!  I almost wrote . . . “hardly any room to *repair* dinner,”  which is exactly what I had to do, last night. 

Repair the vegetable beef soup I had made. 

Jesse came home and lifted the pan’s lid and informed me there was no broth in my “soup.”  I had left the soup to simmer over a VERY small flame, but, I guess, it had been a while since I’d last checked it.  I quickly prayed, threw in a can of beef broth, two cans of water and we had “soup” again!

Yesterday and today, I’ve been fighting a horrible pinched nerve in my neck and right shoulder.  Pretty bad, pain.

I’ve prayed and prayed that God would help me enjoy this season and would not allow me to put myself in a tail spin, if things don’t go exactly as planned.  At 57 1/2 years old, you’d think I’d know that by now. 

But I don’t. 

   
                        (the holiday “crystal” – glasses purchased over the years from Arby’s!!!!!!!!!)       

This period of time is also teaching the girls that their lack of attentiveness to their school assignments is rendering them cookie-less!  If it’s 3pm and I haven’t even cleaned up the homeschool books, I’ve given up on the idea of starting another mess by making cookies.  The disappointment in their faces is temporary.  Today, I told my children if I attempted to bake cookies, I’d keel over.  They didn’t question me.  I don’t even know if they can define the word “keel,” but I must have *looked* like I was about to explode.  They didn’t try to change my mind and all three took me quite seriously!

What I *do* plan to do, is read them some of the poems and stories from my old issues of “Ideals” Christmas magazines, while I plot what is about to become of the five chicken breasts thawing out in the kitchen.

Several times, the girls have asked me for a Christmas list and I posted one on the refrigerator door, today.  Most of what I want is dollar store stuff, but I REALLY want them.  White wash rags for the kitchen, hand lotion for my desk drawer, emery boards, rat tail plastic combs, and other such items. 

I know for sure, I’ve become my grandmother.  I *truly* enjoy those cheap little items, because I’m so grateful I don’t have to shop for them myself!

        
                                                                     (Annamarie)

I’ve lit candles for the evening (bayberry and pine) and I’ve turned the mini lights on in my 3 ficus trees.

It’s almost 5pm AND I’M NOT STRESSED.

God has answered my prayers. 

I’ll try again tomorrow to bake.  If it doesn’t happen, I’ll try again on Thursday.  If Thursday produces no cookies, we’ll see about the next day.  Since our last day of school is this Friday, I’ll see how things go next week.  The cookie list may have to be shortened, but I’m determined to enjoy this time.

           
                                                                            (Rissy)

Some things are always the same at Christmas time, around here.  We have traditional foods/meals and I always find time to make my mother’s bourbon balls. 

I also do certain things a little different, each year. 

A long time ago, I put encoded numbers on the gifts with no one’s name.  Only *I* knew what number went to each child.

A few years ago, we went to church before opening stockings and gifts.  We *saw* everything but waited to “celebrate” with gifts and food.

Last year, Jesse put the gifts on the floor, forming a little pathway to the den.  Rissy asked if we could do it again.  She liked hunting for gifts.  We sent a child to hunt for a gift.  Whichever gift you found, you took it to the person who’s name was on the tag.  You  couldn’t retrieve one for yourself.  You had to put it down and let someone else discover your gift.

THIS year, I’m trying my best to wrap EVERYTHING in a box.  And, mainly shirt boxes.  Children usually look at a shirt box gift and disappointingly think to themselves, “Oh, it’s clothes.” 

My children all enjoy new clothes, but they are “children” and still like a little something to “play with,” even if it’s grown up play things.  I bought jewelry, books, knick knacks, beauty care products, lotions, etc., this year, and most all will be delivered in shirt boxes.  Ha!  I’m loving it!

Back to the attitude.  So many people complain about the “Christmas rush” and the “traffic” and the “people” everywhere.  Well, what would it be without the crazy chaos?  What would it be like if things went so smoothly, no one enjoyed a sigh within themselves because they “got it all together, no matter the late hours spent”????? 

Rubbing elbows with others is all part of it. 

I know celebrating Christmas doesn’t come from Bible edicts or instructions, handed down through the years. 

Jesus never said to remember and celebrate His birthday.  But He *DID* speak of “peace” and He also spoke of “doing unto others.”   I can’t help but think one of the best tests we have, when gauging our progress in our Christian walk, is when we ask ourselves questions like: 

“Was I able to demonstrate patience, just now, when a third person shoved ahead of me in line?”

“Am I able to *love one another* when that man let the door shut in my face or that woman took *my* parking spot?”

“Do I have joy in my heart, despite this self imposed and crazy treadmill of a list I’m racing to fulfill?  And that stupid song?  Who made it up those lyrics and wrote that maniacal music.  And, why oh WHY do they play it over and over again on the radio and in the stores???”

Those are ALL things Jesus taught about. 

And, thank you LORD for your generous mercy, as we continually fall short of the mark.

As we grow in our Christian walk, there are fruits of the Spirit our lives should exhibit.  Without praying and asking God for help (or even the desire) in weeding out the bad attributes, we can never hope to progress from the unhappy, joylessness of the season to having real JOY in our hearts, LOVE for other human beings, and PEACE within.  No matter what, all of our busy lists and trappings shouldn’t touch or steal our JOY, LOVE, or PEACE.

Since I’ve brought up the subject of joy, love, and peace this season, I’d like to ask for continued prayers for my mother in law.  In November she lost her husband.  Six days later, her mother.  Now, one of her older brothers, who’s battled cancer, may not live through the month.  She needs the prayers of others to make it through this season – one of the hardest she’s ever endured.

(big breath)  And, now, I’m off to put the chicken in the oven and read some stories to my children!

Be Blessed  ~

Yes, indeed!

I’ve spent entirely too much time dwelling on the mantel over the den’s fireplace.  I don’t believe I’ve ever wasted so much time “fiddling” with fluff, here and there, and never being satisfied.

For reasons, unknown to me, I haven’t been happy with what I created, which had become more of a “creature” than a “creation” on the fireplace mantel.

As I said in an earlier blog, I’ve simplified, this year, and put up plain wreaths instead of garlands and lights in every doorway.  I didn’t use lights on the fireplace mantel, and maybe that’s what I’m missing.

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

I’ve had one of “those” weeks and I’m so glad it’s the weekend.  There’s another wonderment.  “The weekend” is no different (for me) than Monday through Friday, except for church.

Why, oh why, do I find myself thankfully whispering, “It’s the weekend!  Yaaaaaay!!!”?????  Isn’t that dumb?!!!!

I had my bone IV on Thursday and we grocery shopped afterwards.  The rest of my time was spent here at the house.  I put out one fire after another.  It was all very wearing and today was no different.

At least the fireplace’s mantel is finished.  I MADE myself walk away from it. 

I’m sure if this was my last week on earth, I wouldn’t want to be found squandering my time on a fireplace mantel.

Surely there are more important things to do with one’s time!!!

We have one more week of school before we quit for several weeks.  It’s presented a host of problems this week, mainly the introduction of impossible language skills (i.e. punctuation) and the introduction of algebra (in *3rd* grade? c’mon A Beka!).

I’m sure I am no more sick of teaching than the girls are of learning.  I’m also sure it’s a tight race on exactly *who* can’t wait for a winter break – them, or me!

                               
                                     (This is NOT a 2nd one, I moved it from the fireplace to the carpet)

Today, Jesse had a leaf removal job and took Sushi (our Blue Heeler, dog) with him.  She had a blast and he enjoyed taking his dog to work!  He came home, but wasn’t ready to come inside.  So, he climbed up on the roof to see if there is lint caught in the top of dryer vent (couldn’t find any), and told me he almost fell off the roof, backwards. 

I’m so glad he didn’t. 

Not this week, anyway!  (rolling my eyes)

The school books are put away for the week, except I “will” attempt to tutor Rissy in algebra, tomorrow.  That will take place in between my baking cookies and spending some quality time with myself and a good book (NOT a textbook).

Yesterday,  we bought all kinds of yummy ingredients for baking.  I found a cookie recipe with fruitcake fruit in it.  Also, I may attempt to make butter mints (the flat, pastel mints that melt in your mouth).  They look easy enough.  AND, we sure can’t forget about reading Christmas poems and stories from old “Ideals” magazines.  I have issues that were published in the 1950s and 1960s.

Her story reminded me that my own mom and I made them when I was in junior high (waaay back in 1964 – 1966).  After my mother died and I went through her things, I snagged the three pomanders we made one Christmas (oranges stuck with cloves).  I remember sitting for hours one week poking cloves into oranges, until I felt like my thumb tip was a bloody pulp.  It was weeks before the feeling came back into my thumb!!!  But, well worth the time.

Tonight when I took them from the shelf where they sit year round, I found they still carried the clove aroma.  I doubt that I’ll ever attack making them with oranges again, but I might use Shanda’s inspiration and give my girls apples and a bowl of cloves.  Who knows?  I might be building memories!!!

Starting tonight, I’m changing my attitude.  I’m going to try harder to create some warm fuzzy memories for my children. 

And, quite possibly, they won’t remember the Christmas of 2010 as the Christmas I made them learn impossible punctuation and beginning algebra!!!!!!

Or worse yet, “The year Mom was busy decorating the fireplace mantel (for the umpteenth time) and didn’t even notice us!”

Yikes!  Tomorrow, I had better pull out my “Ideals” magazines and whip up some cookie batter!!!

Be blessed  ~

                                          
                                                Things are stashed in hiding places,
                                               waiting for boxes and wrapping paper.

I hit a gold mine, this year, at a thrift store.  It isn’t in an exclusive or wealthy part of town, but I have found mall brand clothing in like-new condition, some of them still have the store tags attached.  Old Navy, Lands End, Limited Too, Gap, Aeropostale, Apostrophe, Macy’s, etc.  Beautiful things for cheap!  Cheap!  CHEAP!!!!!!!!

Can you say C.H.E.A.P.??????????????? 

I spent a little over $50 on tops for the three girls, PLUS two nightgowns for Rissy and Annamarie.  The nightgowns were the most expensive thing I purchased, $3.99 each!!!!  They are so plush and soft.  I’d betcha, MAYBE, they’ve been washed once. 

For Rissy, I found a ton of basic little, short sleeve t-shirts (to wear under long sleeve shirts) in every color you can imagine.  They were $1.00 each.  I would guess I bought a dozen of them. 

And the sweaters!!!!! Oh my! 

Again, only $2.00 average for a pull over or cardigan!  

They are excellent quality and a small fraction of what they’d be priced, if brand new.  I think people must receive gifts, wear them once (or not at all), and the things end up in thrift stores. 

Fortunately, I have a lot of clothing-size boxes in the garage storage.

Speaking of boxes and wrapping paper, none of that will take place, if I don’t clear off the dining room table.  It’s covered with the decorating things I may (or may not) choose to use around the house. 

I believe I’ve OVER simplified!!! 

When I think about the clean up AFTERWARDS, all the pretty stuff no longer sounds appealing! 

I decided against climbing on a step stool to put the usual green garlands with lights up across the doorways.

I found four green wreaths in the attic.  I’ve hung them OVER two different doorways, the fireplace, and one on the den’s wall.  The two in the den have white decorations (flowers or white berries).  The ones in the front of the house are just plain green with a red bow.  Good enough for me!

I’ll try to get pictures, when I’m finished.

Can you say S.I.M.P.L.E.???????????    

In my formal living room, I’ve covered a silk ficus tree with a strand of 100 lights and it looks great.  I’ll do the other trees in the front of the house, as soon as I buy some extension cords.  The lights will stay on the trees year round.  I’ve wanted to do that for years.  At night, it’s just enough light for us to see, and it’s cheaper than a lamp’s bulb.

                                      
                                                                    Rissy’s trees.

I also found some mini trees in the attic.  I gave Luci & Annamarie the two larger trees (30″ ???) for their bedrooms, and Rissy has two itty-bitty, dinky trees for her room (about 18″ & 10″).  She has the smallest dresser.  The girls were thrilled and had fun making each of their trees look exactly the way they wanted it.

While digging through the attic, I found miniature ornaments, like: snowmen, nutcrackers, berries, birds, some tiny red silk bows & glass bulbs.  Perfect for the little trees.  

I also found battery operated lights and some 35 bulb strands of electric lights.  Again, just perfect for the dresser top trees!  

             
                        Luci’s tree.                                                               Annamarie’s tree.

Starting on Wednesday, my plan is to start baking. 

The usual, familiar cookies & fudge, and a couple new types of cookies. 

This year, I’m trying my hand at Russian tea cakes.  They look easy; the ingredients aren’t expensive, and, that’s what everything is about this year

E.A.S.Y., SIMPLE, and *cheap* !!!!!!!!!!  

For some reason, school has been extremely difficult.  I don’t know if the curriculum has increased its load, or if NONE OF US want to be doing school. 

Today, it took until 4pm to finish the basic subjects of spelling, language, & arithmetic.  Oh!  I sure don’t want to have the rest of  the week be like today!  Such a struggle.  Luci, who normally cries all the time, is the only one that didn’t cry.  Well, Luci AND me!   But, I don’t count, because I really *wanted* to cry!!!!!!!!!!!

Jesse had a nice birthday with just us, on Saturday.  On Sunday, we met his brother , sister-in-law, and a friend at Red Lobster Restaurant.  The food was good, as was the service.  We went into Dillard’s (like Macy’s) afterward, and Jesse bought his favorite cologne.  He had a scratchy throat, yesterday, but when he came home from work tonight, he sounded like he had a full blown cold.  I gave him Thera-Flu and rubbed Vicks on his chest and throat.  He’s out like a light, snoring in bed. 

With all the “putting up” of decorations, I also got the kitchen cleaned up (the counter tops, floor, and microwave).  I cleaned and organized my desk.  I washed down the outside of the washing machine (the girls tend to spill things).  AND, I wrote a winter letter to send to friends & family, since we no longer send  cards.

The lady who was helping me clean had to quit.  She’s having surgery.

Maybe that’s why I’m pooped, right now. 

I should get up from here and run the dishwasher, and then I need to go to bed.

Be Blessed  ~

I know it’s a little late for me to be writing.

And, the truth be known, I’m not up “a little late,” I’m up *A LOT* late –

for me, anyway!

This was a busy day, as I had my 3 month visit with my “would have been” breast surgeon and a routine mammogram.

The place where the mammogram is done usually keeps me for a couple of hours.  Today, I was in and out in less than an hour.  So, Jesse, the girls, and I went out for a quick Chinese buffet lunch before heading to the surgeon’s office.

My surgeon officially “cut me loose” today and said she’d plan a mammogram and breast ultrasound in 6 months.  I didn’t need to continue seeing her, unless something came back abnormal or I had reason for concern.

I’ll miss her.  She’s been a dear person throughout all of my cancer trials.  We had a long talk today, about some female concerns in an area *other than my breasts* and I sought her opinion (a valuable one to me) as a surgeon.  She still marvels at my journey from close to death, due to  aggressive cancer, to no sign of cancer. 

I continue to tell her (and anyone else that will listen), I had good doctors, good chemo therapy, good radiation therapy, and A GOOD GOD!!!!!

We discussed my Stage 4 cancer diagnosis and the fact cancer has disappeared.  She said, I should make future medical decisions (like a hysterectomy) based on living a long life, not a life that will only last another few years. 

She said she didn’t have that magical crystal ball that tells the future, but her gut told her something negative would have showed up in 18 months time.  I never trust that (or any timetable) as a definite gauge – because one never knows.  In fact, I’ve highlighted all the places in the Bible that tell us to NOT trust man, but to trust God.

And that’s where God comes. 

HE knows, and I’m okay *not* knowing, as long as I know HE knows!

(did you follow that?!)

I DID ask her if she thought it was wrong for me to encourage other people to pray and ask for healing (as well as accept medical help).  I’ve wondered if, maybe, my “preaching” was rubbing salt in the the wounds of others.  I’ve never wanted to hurt anyone by the words of my mouth. 

And, I’ve mulled over and questioned whether I shouldn’t rave on and on about what God has done for me. 

I’ve wondered if, maybe, I should just let people believe what they believe and not encourage them to ask God and then trust Him.  In other words, *I* could pray for them, and if they *WANTED* to hear my story, they could ask.

I know we are all here to bring glory to God, but if someone is experiencing declining health, due to cancer or any other dread disease, should I say nothing and watch them slowly fade away?  That doesn’t seem right.

I really have dealt with this question many, many times.

Today, my doctor answered that very question. 

She said, “You aren’t a medical freak, if that’s what you’re thinking.  So, no!  Absolutely do NOT stop telling other people your story.  Your enthusiasm and faith are very contagious.  You offer hope and the encouragement to fight to those people you come in contact with.”

She made a good point.

And, I replied, “I don’t want to encourage only people who have cancer, but I want to encourage anyone with ANY problem (relationship, financial, parenting) to seek a binding relationship with God.”

So, I’ll continue to speak of my healing to anyone who cares to listen and, maybe, to those who don’t think they want to hear what God has done for me. 

I’ll keep praying (first) and then speak words of encouragement as I feel the Holy Spirit lead me.  I’m not “special” and I’m not more important to God than any other person.  The years added to my life haven’t been added because I’m some super woman out there making a huge dent in God’s kingdom.  I’m just me.

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

Stephanie and JanaLyn came over tonight.  JanaLyn has been coughing and the school nurse thought it might be more of an asthma problem.  Stephanie needed some medicine for JanaLyn’s nebulizer machine.  The same stuff Rissy just finished using.  I rubbed JanaLyn’s back, which was full of knots between her shoulder blades.  Probably from coughing so much.  We loaded them up with Vicks rub, LifeSavers, and the asthma medicine.

We visited a while before they had to leave.  My girls were excited because of JanaLyn’s visit, and they were hard to put to bed tonight. 

They kept popping back up with “one more thing” to say or do!

All is quite now and I’m ready to get off of here and get to bed. 

I think I was a little excited by JanaLyn’s visit,  too!

 
      My cat (Chirper) keeps coming out here to see how close I am to heading back to bed.  He can’t sleep without me!

Such loyalty!

Be Blessed  ~

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!

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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! 

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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! 

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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.

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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.

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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? 

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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  ~