So Much to Share

I am getting better, it is a very slow process. One of the problems I have been having is that my hands will not stay steady to type. With the pharmaceutical soup I am on, that problem is improving.

This picture was taken on Thanksgiving and I think it's our best side.

My daughter has been doing everything. I cannot tell you enough. She has brought the holidays to life here. It would bleak indeed if she hadn't come. Words are easy to say, we tell each other of our love, but actions really do speak louder than words. Out of everyone in my family the one person who came to help me was the one most criticized.  We are so quick to judge harshly.  I am so grateful for my daughter she has saved my life, literally.

Jenny and the Hunny decorated the outside and it is so FESTIVE! The decorations this year are a blend of our things. Jen has the Frosty and the kids love him. He looks like the door keeper peeking out from under the porch. He has to be hog tied to keep from blowing away in all the icy winds we have been having. Betcha can't tell who baked this pie.

Another view from a different place. It''s pretty.

 Jen has decorated every inch of this house! I love everything she has done. It is amazing to watch your home be transformed into the holiday spirit without doing any work. I have never experienced that before. I have done it for others at times but this is a first to be on the receiving end of so much love.

The kids and I decorated the tree and they did a great job. I actually did not rearrange it. I have rearranged the tree for years. I realized this year that everyone decorating together brings a special joy that I have missed out on by being so controlling with how everything looks. To soon old to late smart.
How about you do you rearrange what the kids do?

These children are so precious. I miss the other two. I hope someday they return and we can photograph everyone together.

Do you see this radiant smile? I wake up to her kissing me good morning and bringing me coffee in bed.
She starts music so I can focus on something other than how I feel. Then she helps me with an outfit and accessories. I have NEVER been so stylish! She needs to be a personal consultant to people to show them how to use their wardrobes well. She pulls out mixtures of things I have never thought of and it looks fabulous!! She used to put my makeup on for me but I have improved enough to do that myself!
Except for lipstick. If I did my lipstick I'd look like Bozo the clown. My hands hop all over.

There is nothing so sweet as a sleeping child. Isn't he angelic?

My Christmas cactus is blooming. It is the only living flower here. We have had such severe freezes I think my garden may be missing many plants and bushes this spring. Everything looks dead.

Cuddling upstairs in Jen's little nest, she has made the room the coziest room in the house. They even have a Christmas tree in there.

Jenny told me to pose like ET. No make up but ya'll have seen me that way plenty. My hand is cramping from this little bit of typing. I miss you all so much. I miss blogging! I think of posts but cannot write them. However! I have so much to be grateful for! For one, finding out that I have RSD in the 1st 3 months is very important for recovering from it. It has been 3 months since I fell. I have had the 3 blocks in the first 3 months. I'm not swollen anymore and I am in therapy. I also take a ton of medication that is very necessary to keep the pain and shaking down. I can sleep and the medications do give me relief from pain that was unbearable. My family loves me and is here to help me get better. So much to be grateful for!

As I think about the sweet little baby Jesus in an animal feed trough and the humble beginnings of his life here on Earth, I really have nothing to complain about. Each one of us has our own troubles and trials. There are many people who suffer much more than I do. People whose pain is not relieved, either physical, emotional, or spiritual. But God who is so faithful to help us wherever we are at if we just give Him the opportunity. At times our trials can be so overwhelming we get angry with God. I have been feeling that. Even with my failures God has been good to me. In spite of my depression and lack of hope, God has been faithful to help me.  You see God IS love. He cannot deny himself. He cannot change who he is. He is love. What God does isn't dependent on what I do or how I feel.  Thank God for that! If that was the case I would be buried right now. Instead my heart is full of love for my family, all of them. That includes Heather and Kayla who chose to be away for now. They will always be welcome. My gratitude for those who are here now is not measurable. My gratitude to my Lord is as it should be, He has helped me to get there. Healing is never just the physical body, our spirits and emotions need to be touched too.  I have come far. I have a long way to go. Each day has a bit of progress to be celebrated.  Christmas this year has me full of hope. I'm thankful for all God has done.

I hope that your hearts are full of joy for what God has done in your families. The presents are fun but their happiness is short lived. It is what we treasure in our hearts that lasts. I think of each one of you even though I don't comment on every blog on my list. But as I  read my blogroll I think of each of you. There are some still here that don't blog anymore, but your not forgotten Grandma J. It's hard when we read a blog for a long time and it just gets deleted or that friend stops writing. This Christmas what I do most is pray. Praying is something that doesn't take physical strength. I am praying for you. God bless you this year with abundant joy and the time and peace to enjoy it!  Merry Christmas!!

Blessings Too Great To Contain

Have you ever forgotten something important? I forgot how much I loved to swim. Do you remember that?
Much more important than swimming; I had forgotten how to lift my eyes above my circumstances. I had forgotten how to find encouragement.

God is able to keep. God is able to save. His arm is not too short. He has remembered me and heard my cries in the dark of depression, pain and suffering. He sent me a ministering "angel."

I have to share with you this blessing. My daughter gave up all her possessions to come to my aid, most of her things that were shipped arrived broken. She cried that one day and let it go. Could you do that? Could I? No I don't think so, not me, not yet.

When I wake up in the morning there is a cup of coffee by my bedside. Sweet music is in the air. I am greeted with the sweetest smile and a kiss.  My soul responds to the love and it lifts above the pain. I can focus outside of myself because of her love for me. She points my eyes to look up to the Lord from whence cometh my help.

Then my baby helps to dress me. She picks out pretty outfits that I could never put together because she is very talented with style and design. She is an artist in every way. After that she puts my makeup on for me because I cannot do it and I look pretty. I am physically the same but looking pretty helps a lot. My precious granddaughter paints my nails. I have never looked so good.
My heart is light. My spirits are lifted up. My daughter has risen up and called me blessed. She has given up everything to help me, no greater love is this. Than a woman lay down her life for a friend.

Jenny played this song for me this morning. This man has a set of pipes on him to be sure, but what brought us to tears was what he said about the quiet crucible of suffering.  I hope this ministers to your heart today. Tomorrow I am going to share some more funny goings on but this blessed me so much.
I hope you get "hooked up to heaven" too.

Giving Thanks

 Praising God for the beauty of spring.

 For my family and girls who are finding their way in the world.

 Thanking God for good friends and darling children of all kinds, shapes, sizes and personalities. Each one is as unique and spectacular as the beautiful flowers of spring.

 Thanking God for healing of relationships.

 Thanking God for my adorable brother and his godly wife who bless us all.

 Remembering sweet moments and hoping for more in the future. Missing these two who are out on their own. I love them.

 Thanking God for a bountiful harvest despite the bugs. A full pantry of pickles and salsa.

 I'm not sure if I am thankful for this....JUST KIDDING!! I am crazy about my puppy but not so crazy about muddy dog nose windows and cow pies in the garden. He's part large livestock. You already know I am nuts about this dog and after 3 years of waiting I am thankful.

 Ummmm yummy thankful for good food and the ability to eat! We have to be healthy to enjoy eating and it's something we take for granted. We have so much we struggle with our weight and there are those longing for a full tummy and those who are too ill to eat. For food we give THANKS!

 I give thanks for my family, for my baby girl who is now grown up and is calling me blessed. She is such a blessing to me. Such a little cutie she has grown up into an amazing woman.

 I don't know why this went the wrong direction just turn your head. It's too cute. Heather and Kayla when they were little and a fun Christmas picture which is coming right up. I am thankful that I stay home on black Friday and instead start decorating for Christmas. Not to mention enjoying leftovers.

 

 I'm very thankful that Jen and the children are here. I am surprised that I haven't taken hardly any pictures. I'll remedy that today.

 I am thankful for my garden and home.

This man. I don't even have words for how much I love him. I was fragile and broken when we married. Our 23 years together have defined who I am now. We make each other better, like iron sharpens iron so we have made each other better. I cannot imagine my world without him in it. I give thanks most of all for the day we said "I do." That day started this life. 10 years ago we came to this place and began making a home. We have so many memories here. So much life and love, so much to be grateful for.

I have been in the hospital trying to get some answers on the problems with my arm. I came home with more drugs and not to much in the way of answers. More tough decisions to make. But I am home today.We are going to Annette's for a big family Thanksgiving day. Jennifer made two dishes, cheese cake with cherries and looking back at better days I know that God will carry me through the future ones.  Today my heart is truly thankful. I am thankful for you too. For my blog buddies who have loved me, who write encouraging notes and comments, for those of you who gave so generously from your hearts to my daughter, for your friendship that is truly real.  I wish you my sweet friends a blessed day full of gratitude because it fills our hearts with joy. I wish you a blessed day with your families and friends. I wish you full tummies and fuller hearts. I wish you the best Thanksgiving day ever. I hope you take time today to reflect back on your year and all the many blessings you have had, and name them one by one. "Count your many blessings see what God has done."

Fresh Fixins: Days of Our Lives

Fresh Fixins: Days of Our Lives

Fresh Fixins: We Are All In Big Trouble Now

blueberry salad recipe on August 16th

Days of Our Lives

Jenny took another movie of her goofy mom. I think I must have taken a pain pill or something because this is just hilarious. I am GORKED!

 But not everything has been funny. When the packages got here there was so much damage.
Because of the hurry to leave before the first, she didn't have time to sell things so she gave most of it away.

She did a great job packing. Hunny has been in trucking before and he gives good instructions. We purchased brand new moving boxes, paper and bubble wrap.

It got harder and harder to watch. Jen only kept her most sentimental things. She could only take so much and then the tears started. Broke my heart. Mom's hate to see their children suffer over anything at any age. It reminded me of the earthquake and how I felt when so many of my precious things were just demolished.

So we sat in the sun and talked. We left the boxes for later.

This is a Samsung flat screen TV or what is left of it. Her dishes, printer, DVD player, large TV and a ton of her Christmas ornaments were all broken. Yes, we are filing a claim, but who knows how long that will take. A lot of it is beyond price and not replaceable.

 All of this just to get here and help me. Really we need to help each other. I have needed a lot of help. My hunny's cousin helped me a lot. I paid her because I couldn't take that much time from someone for nothing. I have to be driven to my appointments and until recently I still had to have help getting dressed.
There is some really bad damage to my shoulder and I would sure like some answers. That's a whole nutha story.

So if it cheers her up to make funny videos of her mom she can do it all she wants too. I'll even post the pictures that are flattering beyond words. close ups.

Now I know how I'd look with a stroke. Can you believe this is a SUCCESSFUL medical procedure?
This is a sympathetic ganglion nerve block that is supposed to help my pain. If your face slides to the floor it has been done correctly. Well boy howdy, can't wait to see the bill for this mess.
In the morning this lovely look was gone, so were my nerves all the rest of them. Please pass the Xanex. In it's place the bones in my face felt like they had connected with a baseball bat, modern scientific medicine. How marvelous. I can't tell if it did me any good. I'm supposed to do this 3 times. I don't think so. I'm really not impressed enough to do it again. It's probably a 4 digit bill.

I did wake up from these drugs starving and practically ate an entire blueberry salad by myself.
I knew I shouldn't have ever had that recipe in my hot little hands. I can't leave that stuff alone!
I wasn't supposed to eat for 2 hours and then start on ice chips. As soon as we got out of the parking lot I made Jennifer drive through Backyard Burger and get something to eat and drink. I was ravenous.
I told her I could swallow and I didn't care what the dang instructions said. That's a nurse for ya.
I was under the influence of some powerful stuff.  I could have eaten an entire turkey, or a horse for that matter. IF I didn't know it was a horse.

Since I'm talking about being wacky and random, for fun I thought I'd show you our yard in the first years we were here. Basically it was grass and that one Bradford Pear tree. Jim built the shed and that's what we were excited about. It really amazes me to see it so empty. You can accomplish a lot in 10 years. Unless your Kat over at Seeking Sanity who has her place looking spectacular in less than a year or maybe one year, but y'all know how amazing she is.

It's almost Thanksgiving and I am thankful for so much. My face didn't stay that way. I am thankful most of all for my family and friends. I am very thankful to all of you who have prayed for Jennifer and helped her financially. I am amazed at the support that is in our blogging community. Y'all are real friends. Jennifer was very touched. Her children are so sweet and we will have some fun stories coming up soon I am sure.

I have the green light to try and use my hands and arm conservatively, whatever that means. I hope to be around more often now. There is no telling what kind of condition I might be in. You never knew what you'd get before and now with my daughter here, she will really mix it up. She loves to laugh and so do I.

See ya soon!

In Your Wildest Dreams

Between this beast,

and this one. We have been very very busy. When I took these pictures,

she said she'd get even with me.

They love my pickles. We spent one day doing hair. We did everybodies hair.

Isn't she adorable?

She likes this picture better.

and this puppy,

has absolutely no concept of how big he is, and yes he does crawl all the way up into  my lap.

This is my youngest granddaughter and she is just PRECIOUS! SWEET and absolutely darling.

Both of the kids are adjusting pretty well. They think it's beautiful here and as soon as they make friends at school they will be pretty comfortable. We cut their hair after this picture. Their mom did it and she is very good at it!

Enjoying movies.
and making them.



she said she'd get even. I think she did.

Generations of Dressing Up

Jennifer will be here soon. Since I can't do a lot and I'm feeling very sentimental, I went through the boxes of pictures and came up with this idea to share with you.

I used to love to sew. I made everything we had. I made my daughter clothes, doll clothes, and of course her Halloween costumes. I have not always been a grown up though, aren't you surprised?

That little tot in a Danish traditional outfit is me. I still have it. My Mama is on the right and now you know why I like being blond it makes me look more like her. People who can't get used to the blond have their obvious reasons. Most of my years I wore my hair long.

These are the outfits I made over the years. Jenny was a bunny in kindergarten, the outfit was made of velvet and I could hardly keep my hands off her. I could not figure out how to make the ears stand up so I told her she was a jackrabbit.  The genie outfit was really fun. I would use satin lining fabric which in those days was cheap. I also had a wonderful fabric store with a very good remnant box and found the dark blue velvet in there. Those deals don't exist anymore. It used to be cheaper to sew. The princess outfit we found at goodwill, somebodies prom dress that I made over. The hat and the wand were cardboard, foil, and some other odds and ends.

This was the hardest and most expensive. I had to buy real fabric. We actually spray painted her hair black. Those sleeves were complicated but she really did look just like Snow White, white collar, red cape and all. I have no idea what happened to that! We should have kept it.

We didn't really need a holiday to dress up. Jenny loved to play and dress herself up.
That was her prom dress. I put the picture of her and her toys in there to show you my idea for what to do with all those stuffed animals. I took a closet wooden pole and put a hook in the ceiling and a hook on top of the pole. Then I used cup hooks all over the pole in strategic places and put a little loop on the toys if they had nothing to hang with, most did. What a space saver it was and so cute, not to mention cheap. I was on welfare in those years.

 The next generation wasn't exempt from the love of play. That is Kayla with Rasmus when he was young. Now that you see Jenny you can see that Kayla was a little replica. The top picture is Hunny, and Heather and Granny marching around in Halloween hats the girls had made. I used to hunt the thrift stores for girls formals to have a dress up box. Kayla and Heather were dressed up one year from that and a mask we got in New Orleans.

This time it wasn't any holiday at all. We were playing with Heather and dressed her up. Then Jennifer and I got dressed up. I couldn't find the pic of Jen, it's too bad because she looked hawt! When Pa came home from work he got into the spirit of things and let us dress him too.

How about you? Does your family enjoy dressing up to play?