CHRISTMAS EVE

Our day with the kids, grand and great grands. Love those children.

It was a great day for surprises, excitement, and laughter.

I just wish all could have been here at the same time. James and Amie was late but the boys was here. We had so much food of all kinds.It was so much fun the kids could not wait until time to open gifts. They kept asking when it would be time to open gifts. I did not put names on my gifts under the tree, I knew who they belong to they did not. They hate it when I do that. Sometimes I wrap in different paper that I can hide a name in. It is so much fun when kids are excited with anticipation.

We ate first and then had gifts and games. Plenty to eat, everyone fixed plates. Had a wonderful time.

Hard to get organized, My gifts was opened first, by each child. I got the girls robes, pj, socks,and booties, Kelsey I got footie PJ.

Kiefer got arrows and a small flash light I bought in Canada. The rest money. Did not have much money to spend so I used, you guessed it, plastic money, pay in January.

Fell in Do-nut hold and medicine so high in Dec, but Coy had to have his. Thank goodness for samples for me. Drug companies dont give many samples anymore, Going to order from Canada.

Next we had our game, get in circle as best you can, with 20 people that was hard, we did it. Everyone selected a gift out of pile and we begin story. Right and Left game. I had electric knife's, money seperators, towl, dish towels, wraps, package of colored pens, car vac , insulated cups, throws of different kinds, and many more items. It was so much fun.

It was a wonderful day at our house and I enjoyed it very much.

We had so much food all took plates home with them, don't want it left here for us to clean up.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.

A DAY OF PREPARING.

Up at 5:17 drinking my coffee.I just know it is going to be a good day.

I usually do not feel like this on holidays but I purposed that this year was going to be different.

I was going to make it as good as I could, who knows there might not be another one where I can do for my family.

The day before Christmas and since we was eating at noon instead of in the evening, I have lots to do today. I got my pecan pie made, fruit salad, made some more oyster crackers, almond Roca, "Vi recipe" that is so good. Cooked my corn bread for dressing, got my chicken on to cook in my favorite cookware "Miracle Maid" cookware you put on at night and turn on Low and cook all night, It is wonderful for that. I have to make me a list of all the things I am going to fix or I might forget something.

I already had a turtle pie in freezer. My family seem to eat more food than sweets. Pecan Pie always eat.

I also candied some sweet potatoes they will be so good, have not done that in a long time.

Got my rolls done and put in refrigerator to rise a little will take out in the morning and let them finish rising. Love that "Secret " recipe I found. Just cant wait until tomorrow, excited as a kid I think, I have really enjoyed cooking, planning this year.

I have also got presents to wrap for our game I know that will be fun.

God Bless

BEAUTIFUL DAY

There has been something special about today, I got a lot done and felt so good about it. I haven't felt about a holiday in a long time like I have about today.

Got up early , baked a breakfast casserole, drank my coffee and enjoyed every cup. Baked orange brownies for a special friend, fixed a bag of cookies for another friend. Nothing like a feeling like you are doing something special for some one.

Today has been such a good day. Fixed lunch called Chris and told him to come eat with us, although he did not like the meat loaf.

He took a shower, I helped him wash his clothes, he just stuck around up here today .We talked about his hygiene, told him he needed to fold his clother neatly and why. He has just been throwing them in a basket , not good.

Deanna called and I kept kelsey for a while, she is such a joy. That is Rocky little girl.

Got all my gifts wrapped for our Christmas game. That went very well. I want this to be the best Christmas ever.

Coy has not acted very well the last few days. He was confused all day yesterday, everywhere we went he thought we should go the other way. He did not realize we spent the whold day at LR. He told me he made 3 trips to town.

Today he wrote a note to put in his truck that says, " Passengers Creed" GISDHOSU, G I S D H O S U

Tried to write Get in sit down hold on and shut up and line it up like he did on a peice of paper, actually a paper plate.

He said he was going to hang it up in the truck.

I ask him why he made it he said he didn't know.

I have talked to him several times today and he has been far away . Strange.

Watched a movie The Road To Christmas, it was so good. Coy went to bed, he never wants to watch a movie with me, all he likes is westerns. He want even watch the news. Have a weird feeling about the things he says and the things he don't say.

The Dr. said his heart is great, he didn't find any problems yesterday.

Oh I forgot to tell you we got a knock at the door and One of the Lady's from Heritage Manor came and brought us a fruit basket, told up how much they looked forward to our home baked goodies every year and they loved us.

I did not expect anything just love doing it. One of them has saved me some flower seed to plant this spring.

That is a ways off who knows what this winter will bring. So far good.

God Bless

CHRISTMAS FOR THE ELDERLY

Have been baking all day and fixing their baskets, I think I am happier when I am doing for someone else than any other time.

Home made Granola mix, Pear Butter, Amish cookies, Almond Rocha, Almond bark cookies, Oyster snack crackers and orange brownies. Will try to post a picture of my baskets.

It is a warm and glorious feeling to know you have done something to bring a little joy to someone. I do not know if Coy will be Santa or not, maybe. Love doing this. Maranda and Briauna will be helping us out. We will all have on Santa hats.

Dress up day for us. Won't that be good.

It was a wonderful day

We all dressed up, Maranda was santa claus, she made a wonderful Santa, walked right up to the door and said Merry Christmas and handed them their goodies. Briauna would not she said she could not stand to look at the old people. I thought she was going to cry when whe saw one who could barely walk to the door, she stepped back and Maranda went in side and heanded it to her. It was so good and a good feeling. I told Briauna an old person was the best friend she could ever have. The love little children and will cherish anything she can do for them.

There was two that was not home. We will deliver later.

God Bless all

SISTER VISIT

It seems like a long time since we done this but it really hasn't. Have been trying to get up there for a week and things keep coming up.

We really enjoyed the day, nasty weather but it didn't dampen out spirits. Shopping, mostly looking. Had some things to take back. Went to kirkland's and looked, Rosie said she had never been in that store. It is always so nice the things they have. They would not fit in my house but I love to look especially at Christmas time.

We both was getting hungry so we went to target and really found some buys of baking good we needed so we got that first. I found the perfect little baskets for my goodies. They was sorta christmas but could be used after maybe for a letter holder or just set on a table for odd and end stuff. I always have odd and end stuff on my tables. everyone leaves something even if is nothing but a nail or screw. I have to clean my nick nack things out often.

Then we went to eat at McAlisters, it is a sandwich shop in the shopping center. Coy and I have talked about eating there before but never did. Rosie said her and Rodney had ate there several times. While we was there our other sister, Sue called so she had lunch with us too. It was so nice. Hoping we all three can do that sometimes. Need to carry something of Jeanette with us when we go also.

Every thing we talked about she would say she needed to do this or that for Rodney and then reality would set in. After 42 years she will always remember the things she made for him or that he liked. Lots of memories.

We got to talking about food and making things for people and I said us southern girls always thinks of what we need to cook or make.

That is just the south in us. Don't you just love the south in us.

We went home to her house and the delivery truck was there to deliver her TV table. Hit it just right.

God Bless All

SERINATED ON 53 ANNIVERSARY

I'm sure it does not happen very ofter that anyone gets to be serinated by 3 bands and 2 choirs. It was amazing. One great grand daughter in choir and a grand daughter in band playing the flute. The auditorium was full and people stand ing all around. More people there than I expected. Parking lot was full , streets full also all around the ball field also. We had a wonderful time. Got home about 9:30 . Weather was nice and all the bands and choirs done so good.

They do not dress like they did when we was in school. Band uniforms consist of tan shorts and white shirt, in summer and black pants white shirt for winter. They also have a cumber bun and scarf which makes it look a little better. No color to them.

But they looked so good and did a great job. Love Christmas music.

Cember has a beautiful voice. Briauna is doing great on the flute also, better than I thought, didn' think she would stick with it.

Love my Grands and Great Grands.

God Bless All

NO TIME TO LOOSE A CROWN

About 5 pm on friday afternoon I was eating a tomato when my front tooth crown fell off in my mouth. Oh and I didn't know what to do. so I got on the phone and tried to call my dentist, no answer so I called his secretary, left message, called his son, no answer. I was so upset I forgot to leave my name and ph. number. I just found out that. I was so upset, Sat we was leaving for our cruise . No front tooth, my spitit was really dampened. It was also the night before gun deer season started, so everyone was in the woods. Oh well life goes on.

I talked to pharmasist at wall mart he called his dad and uncle that builds false teeth , they was at deer camp, they suggested fix-a-dent and carry ambesol just in case you had lot of pain. I carried a bottle of pain medicine I had here. I talked with every hospital to see if they had a dentist on call and no they didnt. LR, Hot Springs, Malvern, PB and no one could help. Icalled dental Hot line, finally one nurse called from Hot line in HS she told me to use super glue, I thought of that but I knew it was so toxic, so that is what I did. Dried tooth and area real well and guess what it worked and I am OK, don't bite down on that side but I think I could. Don't want to take chance.

Dentist said wait until it came back out and would fix it. Just don't want to loose it, it cost about a 1,000 dollars.

All is well and God is Good

HOW LIFE CHANGES

Life is an everyday change, some days from the time you get up until you go to bed.

I get too many projects going and can't seem to finish them. Too tired and wore out, Coy don't feel like all these projects we need to get done while we are able to move at all. LOL I don't want to leave all this junk for the kids to take care of. So much.

Coy has always like to argue, even when he ask a question and you answer, he wants to argue about your answer.

Since his stroke , he is worse. He was picking up leaves and I ask him to put the back down and he could pick up more. He raised it up about a foot off the ground. We have this thing you pull with a brush on it and it sweeps up the leaves in a carrier on the back. It is really neat. He always does things backward.

At least he will do things when I ask him too or at least try too.

I am a perfectionist, any job worth doing is worth doing right, His is get it done any way you can and the fastest. LOL

We have really cleaned out our shed and spring a lot of other things are going a way somewhere else.

We load things up and set them down on the road, put price on them and they sell, most of them the same day we set it out there.

Good living on a busy road sometimes.

God Bless

ANOTHER STUMBLING BLOCK

It is the devil's business to keep putting stumbling blocks in our path, God's willing this is not going to work. Life is hard lately, don't know what to do , what is going to happen. God is love not wrath, GO AWAY devil in your own little den.

Rosie got sick, don't know what is going on, does not know anyone and is very depressed. She was going to keep Damon's kids that afternoon so she had gone to Family Dollar just a few blocks from her house to get some cokes and other items for the children. She drove to the store, did not even get out, passed out and was not noticed for 3 hours. Finally a lady noticed her and got her to come too long enough for her to call Kevin, the lady had already called 911. They all got there about the same time. Took her to the Heart Hospital. She definitely did not want to even know she was there, that is where Rodney was in the hospital a few weeks before. She does not even remember Rodney died at times. She told Nancy to go check on mother which has been gone for 12 years. She told her she was in the nursing home and needed to be checked up on while she was in the hospital. It was so sad to see her in that shape. I was fixing to leave on our trip and did not want to leave. She had a beautiful trip with the boys and now she was so depressed. She told the boys Rodney should be there any minute now, she knew when she was in the hosptial he would always be there for her. He was not coming this time. The Boys was so disturbed about this all of there was there nearly around the clock, could not go to work because they did not know what was going on. They run every test on her brain and heart, nothing showed up except what was already there from her lupus. One of her best friends came in her room and she ask her "who are you" . One time she was talking to one of the boys and she mumbled something, Damon I think and he ask her what she said, she said "I was talking to your dad ". Of course he was not there.

She will get better, God is Love and I am counting on Him to see her thru.

God Bless all.

WHAT A BLESSED WEEKEND

God is so good to give us so many blessings.

Went by Baptist Imaging to get another check up, No more spots there. God is so good

From there we went to Greers Ferry to attend a singing convention at Quitman First Baptist Church, It was wonderful.

My sister Rosette called and wanted to ride with us, I was so excited about that, it was such a good trip. We talked all the way up there, it was so good for her to get away and attend it with her boys and Me of course LOL. It was a glorious weekend. When we got there we went and got a HB, like to have never found a good place to eat. That was the biggest, best HB I have eaten in a while. Not a fast food, made their own patties from real meat. Fries was so good and home made.

We went to the Church and dropped her off with the boys and went on to The cabin where Roy and Faye was, that is where we was staying. It was along the Little Red River, very rustic and really nice, to be so old. They was fishing, not biteing. caught only one weighed about a LB so Roy turned back to grow a little.

Went to singing that night, It was glorious and power filled. Sat night was the same. Sunday we got up went to Church there, the boys was singing there that morning. They served a wonderful lunch, we headed home. Rosie stayed to ride home with the boys. Missed visiting with her. Had a good trip.

Dr. appts next day before we left for our cruise the end of the week. We would have stayed longer if it had not been for that.

God Bless all

ONE YEAR AGO

One year ago today, Oct. 6th, I lost a dear friend and sister. She was so sweet, had a lot of health problems and just could not make it until I returned home. I was totally devistated when I got the news.

We was visiting in California at my other sisters house, got the call about 6:30 their time. Getting ready to head to Sacramento to hop on the plane and return to Arkansas. Talked with her the day before, we laughed and talked, told her I was headed home the next morning, could not wait to see her. Tried to get a flight out the week before could not. "Why could you not wait one more day to leave us." My sister in Bryant had called and wanted to know if I could leave and go to Pine Bluff Hospital, they had Jeanette there and had revived her once. Sad to say I was still in California and could not get there real soon. Shortly we received another call and she was gone. What a sad day to be on a plane traveling many miles so broken hearted. Could not move around, walk , just sit, could not call anyone. It was so hard, just wanted to scream and I certainly could not do that. Had a high fever when I left was very sick, thought it was the stress, it was a bladder infection, went to Dr. the next day. My other sister and Husband left and headed for Arkansas that day which was the Oct. 7th. It was such a sad time, I didn't have half sens, so sick and SAD.

Returning was not exciring anymore.

Just the day before we had talked with her and I told her I would be home tomorrow and her place was the first place I would be coming, did not know she would not live that long.

I don't understand why God could not have waited one more day, but His time is not ours. Time is so short when you really sit down and think about it.

Live your life to the fullest, help everyone you can and Love everyone reguardless.

God Bless all

A TRIBUTE TO MY BABY SISTER

Miss her so much each day I miss her more.. She was so sweet, she loved kids especially homeless kids or kids that was less fortunate . They would feed kids in their neighborhood, if they started grilling anything here they come they knew there would be food for them. They was not even called. If my sister was not well she would hand them a box of ceral or pop tarts out the door and tell them. She is reaping her reward today with her Jesus.

Sisters are so special. Love my brothers also but you can't talk to them with secret things like a sister. I have two left and will love them more now than ever before. Family is so important, I wish everyone felt like that there would not be so many split families.

My sister seen I was struggling with a quilt top with stars, she said I can do that and she did. Jeanette told Sue I did not like to work with points, in which I really don't,she did a beautiful job. She loved quilting after she got started. I had a small fire at my house and my sewing machine was damaged, the door of my sewing cabinet got some damage and insurance bought me a new one so I gave her mine, not knowing at the time she had no where to leave her machine up all time. She was so proud of it, she cried and called everyone and told them I gave it to her. So glad I did. I think it was the best thing I ever did for her.

God Bless all

NO MORE TEARS

Songs like "TEARS WILL NEVER STAIN THE STREETS OF THAT CITY ", " NO TEARS IN HEAVEN . We have all cried a bushel of tears this week and it seem they will never end. God understands our tears and some day they will be all wiped away.

Here I am sitting here shedding more tears. My baby sister birthday will be tomorrow, she would have been 60 and now my brother is with her and they are rejoicing to gether and "HEAVEN IS GETTING SWEETER ALL THE TIME". We have a brother in heaven but sisters are so special, didn't realize it until we lost Jeanette. She was so special to me and I loved her so much. Can't believe it has almost been a year, seems like yesterday.

Spent the day with my sister Rosette yesterday, met her at the cemetary, " she was with her son Kevin" where her dear husband's body was laid to rest, when we got there she told us when she walked up there she was looking down and he spoke to her and said " why are you looking down, I am up here. We carried her home and spent the afternoon with her. Cleaned out the refrigerator and put food in smaller containers so it would be easier to warm., washed what few dishes there was and fixed some lunch. She was going back to the cemetary and the Hospital, one of their DIL was hospitalized yesterday, dehydration and pneumonis. Her son Damon came to do that and we came home.

We had some long talks, will be doing that often. She is having a real hard time and it does her good to just talk.

I have had a lot of thoughts of all the singers who have gone on before oh what a choir he has joined. I'm sure he is shouting and singing to the top of his voice and what a voice he had. Vestel Goodman, Larry Rudkins, he use to sing in their Quarted, the Mid South Boys, George Younce, Kenny Henson, and many more. I hope Jeanette has joined that choir and they are singing together. The last reunion we had Rosette, Jeanette, Sue, Roy played guitar and sand, Myself, it was such a joyous time, more now than then. we can never do that again. Oh what memories we have.

NO TOMORROW

We are not promised tomorrow because tomorrow never comes, there is not always a tomorrow. When God calls there is not a tomorrow for who ever he chooses. So we should live every minute as if it was our last.

When Jesus calls we better be ready, sometimes we have time to repent sometime we don't it seems, but I believe God gives us all a chance to repent. I want to live for him and be ready in season and out.

I have not done a very good job lately, too angry about some things, I try not to get angry but I do, too often. God is good.

I love the Serenity Prayer.

GOD GRANT ME THE SERNITY

TO ACCEPT THE THINGS

I CANNOT CHANGE

THE COURAGE TO CHANGE

THE THINGS I CAN

AND THE WISDOM

TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

Hope I can live by this, I worry about things I cannot change, just need to learn to leave them in the hands of the one who can. Lord help me to live as if this was my last day.

GOD BLESS ALL

NEW BEGINNING

My sister Rosette will be facing a new beginning in her life tomorrow, not one she would have chose for herself or one Rodney would have chose for her. It was in God Plan for her life. God will give her the strength to carry on, but like the preacher said today she will have to let him as we all will. It was a wonderful service today and many good tributes to Rodney's life.

He was a wonderful person, firm in his belief, firm with his kids and a loving husband. He left 3 wonderful christian boys and their wives. Rosie has 3 wonderful DIL to help her through this terrible trial. Kevin made the remark 2 months ago we was ready to face this but not 3 days ago. He seem to be doing well. He said they thought it would be their mother long before their dad. God gave him and Rosie 3 more weeks to be together and at each others side to remminease, settle a lot of decisions about their life together and make plans for the future,and just being together, not knowing God had other plans.

What a legacy he left.

He is rejoicing in Heaven with my sister, whom we lost just a year ago. He is laughing and hearing her laugh again. She was a very funny person. Miss her so much, but would not call her back to pain and suffering in this life.

God knows best He needed more flowers for his bouquet.

What will she choose, to go on or give up. She has too many love ones to just give up. Her health is not too good but better than it was 2 yers ago. She has to make it.

.

TRIALS

God has sent our family another trial, another tear, well really bushels of tears. I as many others have had so many trials lately, I really don't want or need another one in my way of thinking, not God way.

Trials are supose to make us strong but I seem awfully weak. In my distress He will make me strong.

As I set there today and listen to my sister tell how much she loved Rodney, it just broke my heart. She told me the thoughts of her heart. I wish I could say something to make her feel better, but there is no words to say. So I just listen to her, it is good for her to just talk and express how she felt. She said I am so angry and he said he would not do this to me. It was not her's or his decision to make. I told her when things settle down I will be up and we will spend time together and just talk. I am so worried about her, but I have to leave her in God's hands.

So many things in life I do not understand but Our ways are not God's ways.

I told her God gave her a few weeks to just enjoy each other, most people do not get that. He should have never made it through the surgery and a ruptured bowel. He did and seem to be doing and recovering very well. He had 3 surgery's in 1 week. That is a lot for one person to endure, go home and do as well as he did.

I lost my baby sister almost 1 year ago. The 6th of Oct. I have missed her so much.

In a few short years, I lost my daughter-in-kaw in child birth, my mother 6 weeks later, my son went to prison 3 months after that. I had a premature baby and a 2 year old to raise. Had a job to go to everyday, just trying to keep a babysitter in my home was hard, they would move away or get a job,or something. It was too hard to get them up and carry them to a babysitter everyday. I had to be at work at 6 am and we lived almost 6 miles out of town, and double back and go to work 25 miles.

It was a very trying time. Had 2 or 3 surgeries in the 6 years I had them. My body took a beating.

God's love and mercy got us through them years just as he is going to carry my sister through her trial.

She has 3 amazing sons and daughter-in-laws to help her. A host of friends and Grand children that will fill her life with Joy and make up for some of the loss she has endured, but Rodney can never be replaced in her life. she will always have him in her heart.

My prayer is God keep my sister, I don't want to lose another one yet, I know it is coming but just not right now. We all have our appointed time that You will call us home to be with you.

ONE MORE VALLEY

WHEN I'M TOSSED ON LIFE'S SEA AND THE WAVES COVER ME

AND THE CLOUDS WON'T ALLOW THE SUN SHINE THRU

THEN A VOICE SEEMS TO SAY,

'CHILD THERE'LL VE A VRIGHTER DAY

DON'T ALLOW THE CLOUDS TO HIDE SWEET HEAVEN'S VIEW'

CAUSE YOU'VE GOT ONE MORE VALLEY

ONE MORE HILL, MAYBE ONE MORE TRIAL

ONE MORE TEAR, ONE MORE CURVE IN LIFE'S ROAD

MAYBE ONE MORE MILE TO GO

YOU CAN LAY DOWDN YOUR HEAVY LOAD

WHEN YOU GET HOME

DON'T LET SATAN SEE YOUR FEARS

LEARN TO SMILE TROUGH ALL YOUR TEARS

HOLD YOUR HEAD UP HIGH AND GIVE THE WORLD A SMILE

JUST BE FAITHFUL ALL THE WAY

IT'LL BE WORTH IT ALL SOME DAY

'CAUSE IT'S ALL GOING TO BE OVER AFTER WHILE

BEEN TOO LONG

I have had a problem with my blogger, hope I have got it fixed now.

We just got home from Branson, well we got home on friday, had a good relazing time, stayed in a condo, loved it. Spent a lot of time in the pool just across the street. I tried to be out there at 9 am or as soon as I could. Sometimes it is good to be a little handicapped. Special Services are rendered to you. LOL We did not eat our that much 4 times I think is all. There is too much frozen food already prepared to eat out. We just relaxed. The condo member service had a lot of things going. They had a dinner and shows one night, different theaters there had performances for us. It was very enjoyable, some shows I would never have gone to see without seeing their preview.

We went to see Noah which was a bible show. Sight and Sound theatre. Real animals and an Ark that engulfed the whole theatre, you felt like you was there with them. We also took the tour of how they create all these props which is hugh pieces that just comes together. Next is Joseph which will start April 2012. Noah leaves and goes back to PA. in Oct.

Made one trip to see Vi , it was an enjoyable day, she always remembers us and we talk about CA, We lived next door to them and our kids just loved going across the field, visiting with the cows,and oscar the pot belly pig. I think James was their favorite becausse you never knew what he was going to do. He loved to hunt and Bro Coy always talked to him about his hunting days. One day James got his dad's 30-30 and here he went across the field with the gun over his shoulder ( at least he knew how to carry it ) Bro Coy ask him does you dad and mom know you have that gun, he took it and put it up. We did not. He was only about 6 or 7 at that time.

Her eyesight is failing and her mind is getting weak, I wish I could bring her down here and take care of her, would love it and she would be with family. I don't think she sees anyone very often, her family is old also, most of her family is gone or old like her. Her nieces and nephews has farms to take care of or just busy with their own lives. Too bad that is why she came back to Arkansas, so she would be near her family. They never pick her us and take her anywhere. She is so sweet. Tough to not have kids, their little girl died at 8 mts old and they never had any more. Even sometimes when you do have kids, you are non-existant in their lives. All so busy, not a thought of their aging parents.

She sang us a song as she usually does, last time it was Rock of Ages, this time it was "Picture on the Wall " by the Carter Family. I will try to post it, beautiful song.

There's an old and faded picture on the wall

That has been a hanging there for many years

It's a picture my mother

For I know there is no other

That can take the place of mother on the wall

On the wall (on the wall) on the wall (on the wall)

How I love that dear old picture on the wall

Time is swiftly passing by

And I bow my head and cry

Cause I know I'll see my mother after all

Yes the children all have gathered all have gone

And I have a little family of my own

And I know I love them well

More than any tongue can tell

But I'll hold that dear old picture on the wall

Since I lost that dear old mother years ago

There is none to which with troubles I can go

As my guitar makes its chords

I am praying to the Lord

Let me hold that dear old picture on the wall

We have one who will always be at our side and make sure we are taken care of. She is the most caring person I have ever known whether it is a friend, relative and an unknown person always willing to help. Everyone who knows her says she is a remarkable person and she is.

God Bless gotta go so much to do.

NOTHING LAST FOREVER

I have been missing my sister an awful lot today and I read a quote by her son Brent, I thought you would be here forever.

A lot of time kids think this way, I think my kids are relizing their dad and I has not got too aweful much time here on this earth.

They are beginning to realize we cant do the things we use to do. We have a hard time just doing what we have to do and letting tthe un-important things go. I don't care if I keep things done anymore . Things do not have to be perfect.

We have so many things to get rid of, I don't know where to begin. My health has not been good in months, been through a lot. I am on the mend now and will be fit as a fiddle before too long. LOL I am 70 now so I will never be what I use to be. HAHA

MOTHER'S DAY

It was a very good day, not much going on but we enjoyed it anyway. I fixed dinner for Coy and I and afterward I made a homemade Peach cobbler and fixed some Home made Ice Cream while it was cooking. In the meantime CW stopped by and enjoyed sharing that with us. It was so good. Nancy stopped by, she got me 3 rose bushes . Rose colored, yellow and pink. We got them set out on Monday. Planning on going Camping Friday and a lot to do before we can go. Went camping had a great time. I could live in my camper it is big, nice with plenty of room. We will not go camping as much this year too many things has happened and I do not feel like doing all the work. There is a lot to get ready for camping especially for longer than 2 weeks. That is what we usually go for.God Bless

MONDAY BLUES

Just cant seem to get busy today, haven't accomplished a thing, just want to set with a blanket and socks on my feet. It is cold today, besides raining, raining and raining. Everything is flooded aroung here. It has rained so hard our yard looks like a river and so it flooded our porch again. I give up, don't feel like cleaning up messes all time. Lord please take some of this rain and bring it back in the summer when we really need it. God is good and he knows what we need, I am much better off than a lot of people, so I say thank you Lord for me being as good as I am Nothing special just me, the way you made me. Just needed to let off some complaining. I am really blessed so than you Lord.

WOMEN'S MEETING AT CHURCH THIS WEEKEND

We had a wonderful meeting tonight. Carolyn was there, was so good to see her. She is still so pretty. We really heard some good sermons. Bro Bert (our pastor) mother which is 85 was in charge of the services. We had lots of singers, nearly everyone could sing. Sometimes we have a singing night and everyone in the church sings,either by themselves or with others. I have started singing and really like it. I cannot sing very good but I know God likes it and he is the one that I'm doing it for. My favorite is Master of the Wind. I have not sang very many. I practice at home without music so it is hard to get started. No matter if you can sing or not, it is appreciated in our little church. I enjoy listening to Nita, (Hugh wife) sing the songs he wrote. Some of them are really old but he has wrote some new ones. I don't know how recent. Pogo sings some of the.

Back to our meeting. The Men cooked us 3 meals a day. Did a good job I think. It was very good. Bro Bert son really likes to coook. Some of the ladies in the church would bring in some dsesserts. I carried a large sheet cake and had frest strawberries and whipped cream to go with them.

God poured out his blessings and we had a wonderful time. God Bless

'ENJOYABLE WEEK

This has been a very good week, been cleaning the shed, work but I have enjoyed looking at things. going through the kids school papers and awards they got, Have boxed up their things for them. School albums, drawings and other things to give them. I have really accomplished a lot this week. It is so good to feel better and have a little more energy. Beautiful weather, warm and sunshine, could not stay in the house. Ate our lunch on the patio or on back porch. Finally got the wood off and it cleaned. Got my bird feeders all filled and love to watch the birds. The squirrls have taken over here, I use to love to watch them but no more. Coy and I burned a hugh burn pile last night, well I told him not to start it until late, but he just couldn,t wait. I "am not going to be sick from the smoke" I refuse to do that. But I told him if I did It would be his fault. It got burned anyway alone with a hugh pile of old papers out of the shed. I burned a lot of history, all my Histology papers, notes, books got burned up. Sad in some ways, I miss it sometimes, I loved the work I accomplished from working. I was 40 when I went back to school, got my degree in Histology, went to work and worked for over 20 years and was supervisor for 9 years. Great accomplishment for me. I am proud for what I did. Briauna came over she was amazed at all the stuff, she said some of this is over 100 years old. She was looking at some of the things I was sending home with her that was her mothers.I hope it was Ok with Pam. I sent all her school annuals, some of her awards and other things. I also have gathered up some of Tony's stuff to take to him. All the kids love to go to the old house that has lots of stuff in it. Kiefer was out there going through things the other day. I carried a bunch of stuff to a 4-H sale. Just get rid of it. Have lots of stuff to burn. Well enough of that for now. GOD BLESS

SUN--DAY

It is beautiful outside today and supose to last all week, a chance of showers 2 days, but mostly sunny, love it need it. Got my back porch cleaned off almost yesterday, like a little wood, afraid we will have another cold snap, want to be ready. I also planter 90 glad bulbs. have a few more to go. mowed some leaves and mulched some also. We will not be going so much this summer so I will spend more time in my yard.

Going to till up a row in garden and plant some wild flowers, have a mixture of arkansas wild flowers. Wonder how many will come up. I hope all of them. I love cosmos so I will pick a few packages up to mix with them. I planted my glads where I can put a picket fence around and help hold them up. They are a beautiful flower.
I really like flowers, but the seed you buy don't come up very well anymore. Marigolds I like to plant in the garden, the smell keep a lot of harmful bugs away. They really do stink but a beautiful flower. Planted red clover all along the ditch our front, hope it comes up, hadn't seen any yet. That will be so pretty. Cleaned out some of the cane break and planted some vines I got from Roy's all of them lived so it will be pretty some day. It has varigated green leaves and blue flowers on it. Trying to plant things that will grow every year so they will be there.
This old age don't permit you to do a lot of extra.

Coy keeps saying when his arm gets well he is going to do this and do that, well I know how his doing is. Very little as possible. A lot of things I have done is things I told him he needed to get done before he had that done. Well that is a man for you.
Well enough of that
God Bless all of you

MARCH 1

Coy went in for surgery at Arkansas Surgery Center, he was suppose to be there at 9:30, we got there at 9 am, they took him on back and got him prepped for surgery. His gown, pretty little hat, IV and all those cute little things they do. His heart rate went up to 180 so that brought a room full of nurses and Dr. They begin to work with him, did an EKG, it was not good , it did it again only it went to only 160 this time. It was running higher than it should and fluctuated back and forth. So irregular so they got some kind of medicine and put in his IV. Undecided to whether they would do surgery or not. The medicine worked and took care of the problem. so they decided to go ahead.
He did great the Dr. said. The nerve block should last about 18 hours, but they gave it to him about 10:30 this morning ,did not go in surgery until 3:10 so it will not last all night.
Well at 2 am this morning the pain returned with a vengence. It was the worst pain,"he said" he had ever had. He called the nurse and told her "didnt you tell me you had some medicine for this pain and if you dont bring me a sledge hammer so I can get me out of my misery." So the pain had to be very bad. It was not a good night or day after that. He kept pulling his sling off and taking his pillow out fron under his arm. He is not a good patient at all. So glad I had a room next to his so I could watch him. He is very agitated at the garb he has to wear. Not eating or drinking like he is suppose to. But it is going to be Ok. No much rest until Wed night we came home thursday.

The Dr. said it would be better to go on than for him to be off his plavix another 10 days and do it all over again. So that is what we did. He did great in surgery. No problem.
Everyone told him he just wanted the attention of all the nurses and Dr.

He got plenty of that. All the nurses was in there doing what needed done. His anethesologist was with him all through the surgery to make sure things went well. He don't usually stay in there. Dr. Stewart told us that. I was just praying and I knew in my heart, God was going to take of things.He did and we are so richly blessed. God Bless all

TODAY

I begin baking a 3 tier cake for our friends. An 8 inch, 10 inch and a 14 inch layers. I baked a decorated a 3 tier 50th wedding anniversary cake for my dear friends. Hard to say no. Got all the small one baked and had one of the 14 inch in the oven when I begin to cool off and I immediately knew what was happening. The connector we have replaced many times was burning out, I smelled something burning earlier, but hoped I would be able to get them all baked before it quit completely. But no it just had to quit on my big one which was 3 cake mixes. So I went to the trailer to see if the stove was working it wasn't. Coy did not hook it up right so he had to do that, we lit it and transferred the cake down there to finish. First I had to measure to see if my pan would fit . Well it finished baking and was so packy I said I need to rebake. So I planned to go to Nancy's when she got home. I told Coy we know what to do let's just fix it, We have plenty of time. So that is what we did. Pulled the stove out, pulled the back off and sure enough that is what was wrong. We got it all fixed and finished my cakes. We took that one and froze it to make a bowl cake with fresh strawberries, vanilla pudding and cool whip. We will have that for Easter. It will be so good.
I hate making messes but that turned out OK, I usually get upset but not this time.
Did not plan on doing any more big cakes but you know how that goes, hard to turn down your friends. It turned out beautiful. The anniversay was a great success. Sharon did not want them to do that. There was food galore and good too. They had a big croud. some friends they had not seen for a long time. Former pastors even came. That made the feel real good.
I will try to do a picture, don't know if I can but if not Nancy can.
Love to do simple ones not big ones anymore a little stressful delivering them. Not doing them.
That has been my day.
God Bless

PROVERBS 31

This is for me today.

Psalms 119:45 I will walk about in freedom for I have sought out your precepts.

I feel like God is asking me to remove some things from my plate and embrase what he has in store for me to enjoy the peace he wants me to have. When I embrase his word and It becomes the most important thing I pick up and read everyday that is when I will have an expression of my amazing God and his revolutionary love.

I preach to me everyday about having the wrong feelings and not knowing how to handle situations . That is what God's word is for to teach us. We turn it over To Jesus and he will handle it. We are not to worry.

My sister wrote this SORROW LOOKS BACK, WORRY LOOKS AROUND,FAITH LOOKS UP, I like that and it will be posted on my refrigerator. Thanks

Since God is not a God of chaos or confinement when I follow His ways He brings freedom. He causes the things He has not called me to do, or to be a part of, to fade in the background. That is where my purpose is peaceful.

KEYS

I am taking Coy's car keys today he has banged up my car so much. He side swiped something with the back tail-light, bent the fender and white is all over the tail light and the side is bent in. He has backed into a truck, just hit the bumper of the truck. It dented in the trunk and bumper.

He hit a dog and busted our front bumper. So I told him to give me his keys if he wanted to drive he could drive the truck, It is all dented in in 3 or 4 places. He backed a trailer into the side just the other day. He pulls out in front of people, he just drives crazy, like he is another world. Too bad he has got so wacky.

He use to be a good driver, NO MORE , I am scared to ride with him. He slows down to 5 miles an hour, then speeds up you never know what he is going to do. Drives on the line a lot of times.

Makes me mad when he does something and then does not tell the truth about it. He will never own up to doing anything wrong.
I ask him after we went to be did he really know what happen to the car , he told me he hit the walkway post.

It did not do me any good to go to church last night, I was in knots about the car, I just seen it when we about to leave. I know it is just a thing, but the first time in 15 years we have had a good car. I think maybe it has a jinks on it , or maybe we picked the wrong car.

My how your life can change in a matter of moments. Our lives sure has changed in a years time.

Once a week we pick up the kids and take them to eat and usually to the Rec. center near our house. Well when he goes, he don't want them talking and Kiefer never shuts up, he is a hunter and fisherman and loves to talk about it. I love to hear what he has to say, but Coy he sets over there and blows. So I will be doing that by myself from now on. I will tell him he has to stay home. I have done that a few times already. He does not enjoy it and neither does anyone else.

This is my complaining for this day. What will tomorrow bring only God knows. Maybe you life is better God Bless you and Me

WIPED OUT

Had 3 Dr. appt yesterday. Coy had to see his skin Dr. as he does every 3 months now, he has so many. He froze 3 more on his face. I had to see my knee Dr. everything is OK. Cant stay on it a lot but as time goes by that will get better and better. I can already walk better without tiring so easy. We also went to Coys sleep center be be checked, they changed his medicine for his legs so he could sleep better. He jumps and jerks at night sometimes. They think this will take care of it and he needs to wear his c-pap machine but he don't. I hate to keep telling him what he needs to do, he gets so angry and says OK, Ok, Ok when he knows he will not. . He really does some strange things sometimes. Looking for things in strange places. Putting things where they don't belong.
Anytime I need to use something I have to hunt it because he never puts it where it belongs.
We was so wiped out we went to bed early. Spending a whole day in LR and going here and there will wipe an old person out.
Sometimes I get so fed up with him, but then I remember God gave him to me 52 years ago , for better or worse, although I dont think we repeated those vows, we just said I do. We was married by a JP. Cleaning up his messes, always a mess on the floor, he eats walking around, I tell him to use a paper plate or a plate of anykind, but it is like talking to a stump. He makes the awefullest coffee messes, you would not believe.
He never zips his pants, I have to watch that all time. A dozen times a day he wants to know what day it is, what medicines he is suppose to take, even though he has planner made up, I try to see to that, and keep his bottles put up, will not keep a calendar of his own, like the Dr. said. I hardly ever get a good night sleep.
I don't feel like doing his stuff and mine too and hadn't for a long time.
Life is hard sometimes but God knows all about it. He didn't say it would be easy or a bed of roses. Just worth it to keep living for HIM.

HEART HEALTHY

Well I had a clean bill of health on my heart, if only I was as healthy elsewhere.

Everything was a OK and my Dr. said keep doing what I am doing. Flax seed, vitamin E, Fish oil and exercise. I know I have not been getting enough exercise lately being laid up in the bed for 3 months, and just getting back to water aerobics when I got upper respiratory problems. Just go away and let me be well for a few months or from now on. I am through being sick with anything. No life when you are sick an don't feel well. Need a life outside this house.
A lot of things I want to do inside and will when I can open up the house so I don't smell the paint.
I have big plans but careing them out is another thing. I have really gotten lazy with all this staying in bed.
GOD BLESS AND HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY.

EVERY DAY A CHORE

We left on our cruise on Sept. 3, had a wonderful time, enjoyed every minute of it from the time we left LR. Enjoyed staying with Sue and David for the whole month.

The day we flew out of Sacramento, I had a fever. Sue said you are sick when she kissed me bye.
I thought I was just upset of loseing Jeanette that morning, that was some of it but not all. I was sick all the way home. Begin taking my antibiotic but kept getting worse. The day of Jeanette funeral, I was so sick, Had to get up and go to the bathroom during the funeral, but could not wait . We left took David and Sue to Oklahoma on the 11 or 12. Planning on staying a couple of nights, just stayed one, needed to get home and wanted to visit Viola in Holiday Island before we came home. We did visit and had a wonderful visit with her. So sick we had to stop in Conway and spend the night and we needed to see Coy's ear Dr. there before we came home.

We came through LR I went by Dr. Brizzalara office and left a urine sample because the antiobiotic I was taking was not doing the job as before. They called the next morning and changed it to different kind. The bacterial infection Cipro would not take care of it. So they put me on Levaquin. I was very sick for over 2 weeks.


I called all the Dr. to make sure it was OK if I proceded with the surgery on my knee. They all told me it would not make a difference.


On Nov. Wed. the 3rd I went in to have my surgery. Thursday I got really sick at my stomach and had diarrhea, that lasted about 48 hours. Up and down all night and all day. Bed stripped and clothes changed many times. So glad Nancy stayed with me. It was a terrible time.


Left and went to rehab on saturday. I had a rash on my back so bad they took pictures when I entered the hospital. I also got the thrush in my mouth could hardly eat. I was there a week. Came home on friday. The next friday I got hot spots in my knee with a lot of swelling. The Dr. took me off therapy for the weekend. Begin back on Monday . I begin to have out patient PT The 2nd week of December. On Tuesday Dec. 21 I got up so sick, Coy had a Dr. appt in LR and I did not know if I was going to be able to go or not. I called Nancy to see if she could meet him down there if I could not.


I was throwing up and bleeding real bad , my colon was a mess. I could not believe I was so sick.


I kept thinking it would just go away, but it didn't. I got to feeling a little better so I went on with him, did not tell anyone just how sick I was.


So Wed. morning I was still passing a lot of blood so I called my gastro Dr. and he told me to go straight to ER. So I did and that experience is in an earlier blog.

It took me a long time to get my strength back and begin to feel good again.
On Feb. 5th. I woke up sick with upper respiratory problems. On Monday Feb. 14 I have another bladder infection. I give up. We'll see how I feel tomorrow , see if I need to go to Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. so what next.
Coy's surgery is posponed until March 1, that is good in lots of ways.

ANOTHER ROUND OF SNOW AND SICKNESS

This time it is pneumonia, can you believe that and I have been trying to be so careful.
Went to bed Friday and felt fine and had for several days. Got up Saturday coughing my head off, congested and a 102 fever. Felt so bad , so I stayed in bed. Was supose to go to a Youth Rally at church at 3pm. I also made a pot of chili. Did not feel like it but was obligated and I kept my word. I was sick so I stayed away from everyone.
It was a very good service and enjoyed it very much. Young people taking part, playing instruments, leading singing, singing specialy and what ever they was called upon to do. A willing heart goes a long way. After they was eating in the dining hall so I set in the car, Maranda brought me a hot dog and a piece of cake. So sweet of her. I did not want to be around everyone else. Even though I knew what I had was not contageous.

I have been treating myself with everything I could think of to take. Mucinex, antibiotic, cough syrup, I just drink it out of the bottle. Even got some cough syrup with codene. You have to sign for it in the pharmacy, it seemed to help a lot. Tuesday Nancy said you better go to the Dr., the snow is coming and you might get worse. Monday I felt better, but tuesday I felt worse again. So I went. Oxygen level was low, so she did an up-draft treatment, gave me 3 perscriptions. My cough syrup was very expensive so I only got a half perscription which was 58 dollar. It is not covered under my drug plan. What a bummer. But I knew it was good and I needed it. I also got a Z-Pack, and Cipro which I already had some thank goodness.
When will I ever be well, maybe I need to just give up and not go to the Dr. and give it over to God. Maybe he is trying to get me to fully trust him.

So tonight I am wired with all those drugs in me.

The snow is supose to come in around 5 in the morning and will be around for a few days, because of the temps in the teens until saturday then back up in the 40, 50, 60 for next week.

Some strange weather, but God knows what we need.
Good night I will try to get some rest, but I will probably stay in bed tomorrow.
GOD IS STILL GOOD AND GOD BLESS ALL

ANOTHER SNOWY DAY

Well we have had the snow this year. When I got up at 7 am this morning it was really snowing and before long it was white, slow traffic and the buses turned around and carried all the kids back home. So another snow day for them. I wonder how many days they will have to make up at the end of the year.
Well a good day to clean a little but not too much. Coy cleaned the floors and I worked in the kitchen, but while cleaning I got the bright idea to bake. Had some bananas that needed to be used so banana bread was a good idea and then I thought about all those little people down the hill that was shut in too so cookies was a good idea too. So guess what I begin baking and just finished up.
Coy and I packaged them up and he went to deliver. It makes you feel good inside to do something for someone else. I love doing that. I put little lace valentine hearts in the bottom and wish I had had some stickers but didn't.
A few weeks ago I baked cinnamon rolls and divided them up and delivered them to some of the old timers we use to go to church with. They really do miss my baking things and sharing with them.
When I worked everyone use to call me Miss Betty Crocker, I told them no I just love to bake and cook for other people and make them smile a little. I also had a good teacher which was mm mother. She taught me a lot. I miss her. But I know she is happy where she is at with Daddy
So no tears today Make it a good day and make someone happy. Warm cookies and Banana bread right out of the oven. Love doing it.

GOD BLESS ALL

A BUSY DAY

Got up early, Kiefer and Maranda spent the night. Picked then up after school, ate at McDonalds, came home for a little while. Took them to Rec Center to play basketball. There was whole group of kids their ages to play with, so it worked out very well. We was there about 2 hours or more. Came home got showers and went to bed. I was ready for some rest.

Went to aerobics class, then therapy. Worked on desk for a while. Then picked up kids.
Love to have them over.


Today has been a busy day today also. Aerobics this morning, Therapy this afternoon and I finished up the therapy on my back today. No more on knee until Friday. Will spend the day in LR tomorrow. Coy has 2 Dr. appts, getting ready for his shoulder surgery the 17th. Got beds stripped and remade, so that job is done . Coy cleaned the floors, he makes the messes fo he can clean them. He is always dropping cake, cookies, jelly out of his sandwiches, I try to get him to use a plate but he want. You can always tell where he has eaten something, sometimes it is dropped all the way to the chair. OH Well that is a man for you.HAHA


Friday did not feel like going to therapy so I didn't go tired of going.

BEAUTIFUL SATURDAY

It was a beautiful and I was feeling pretty good and knew the piles of leaves over the yard needed to be got up, the grass would be wanting to begin growing real soon, I hope. So at 9 it was already warm outside so I told Coy we was going to work outside. I had already fixed us a good breakfast and we had ate.

We went outside and begin working, just couldn't find a stopping place then I remembered we had to be a Maranda basketball game at 1:35 so I ran in and got my shower and we went, making it just in time to see her play, she was the only on to make a basket, the others was free throws. They lost. Their last games is Saturday, I guess we will try to go. She loves her basketball. We came home from that and begin working again, we got our dead bushes trimmed and hauled a way.

Then I was reminded we had a BD party to attend at the Water and Wellness center. Kelsey BD party at 4 so here we go again. Stayed about an hour and came home and rested the rest of the afternoon.

Sunday went to church, ate out,came home and rested a little while then went back to church. It was some good down to earth teaching about how we need to live this day and time. Times has changed so much and the dress of today is not good. In public you see almost anything and everything... Let it turn warm, which it was in the 70 and they start pulling off their clothes. You almost have to put your hands over your spouse eyes to keep them from lusting. LOL
After church we watched the movie The Lost Valentine. It was so good and a real tear jerker. I cried and Coy kept getting up and going in the kitchen, He will never show his emotions.

Monday was a busy day, therapy, water aerobics and pretending to clean house. I have got so don't care or lazy. Too old to care.

DOCTOR CALL

Thursday December 31 I begin to have the same problem, once again I called The Dr. He returned my call personally and we talked a long time about everything that had been going on.

I knew he was a christian and praying Doctor, he said he had been praying for ever since I got sick. He assured me God was going to take care of me and I was going to be OK. If you are sick that is the kind of Dr. To have. He changed some of my medicines and kept a check on me every few days. I got my colonoscopy set up for the 26th. He wanted to give my colon time to heal and not so irritated. I'm glad he did. I had lots of swelling and bloating. THANKS FOR PRAYING.

FEELING BETTER

Feeling much better, think I am going to survive. No energy but I am old and loosing my energy anyway. I don't care if things are not done, just as long as things are clean. Sometimes I don't care about that. My bed has become my best friend, I have used my bed during the day more in 3 months than in my whole life. Never was a stay in bed person. But it has felt very good in the last 3 months. I told my sister Sue I know how she feels about her bed. It is wonderful when that is all you feel like doing.

I have been going back to therapy this week and done really well. Going to the pool afterwards for about an hour. Friday I only stayed in for about 30 minutes, felt so bad and weak couldn't stay any longer.

Made a big pot of home made soup today, sure is good so if we get snow tomorrow, I will already have my warm meal fixed. We will just sit by the fireplace and enjoy it. I only wish I could eat cornbread, that makes soup so much better, but I better wait a while.

Have ordered my Chronological Bible, cant wait, it will be here the 13, that is this week. Trying to read the bible thru this year also, have not done so good so far, but will catch up. The Bible is our path God has set for us to live by. Boy have I failed misserably. I'm glad he forgives.

Joined Proverbs 31 ministeries. Love that devotinal they publish.

May God richly Bless all of you, Keep me in your prayers.