"Tis The Season"

As usual, the closer it gets to Xmas, the more excited I get. This is such a special time of year just to get to be with family and celebrate this special time. The Alien even is getting "some" of his spirit back. We went to Walmart the other day and he came out with some outside decorations. Nothing of the magnitude that he used to put up but it does brighten up the place.

Okay, now down to the necessities, we have all the food and goodies that an army could eat already in the freezer and pantry so hope we don't hurt any feelings when we say that we will do the cooking this year. Also, if it is okay, we will do the same kind of present exchange that we did last year. Now that means no EXTRA presents for the host and hostess!! If we want to make changes and draw names for next year then we can do that while everyone is here.

Our Cub got her class ring this week. She is so proud of it. However, she still won't drive her jeep. We don't push it as we figure when she is ready she will. We have to go shopping this Saturday for a Christmas dress for her to wear to her school's Christmas dance. Her Dad is going to stroke out before its over I am afraid. He is already having bad dreams, lol

Well, I had better get to bed so I can be up and at it in the morning. Take care -

"Over Zealous Parents"

Are you burdened with parents who love you so much that they won't quit being a parent even if you are no longer a child? Even though you may not be a "child" remember they are still a parent. I know sometimes this type of parent can be a "thorn in the flesh" and would just plead that those "children" that are not children will have patience and realize any concern is done through love and concern and not control. Only when the golden age is experienced can one totally understand that once a parent always a parent!!!

Hot spiced Russian Tea

4 cups sugar
2 cups instant tea, plain
2 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 teas cloves
1 cup Tang
Countrytime lemonade mix (enough to make one quart)

Mix all together and store dry mixture in a sealed container in the frig.

Use 3 heaping teaspoons per cup of boiling water

Beautiful Weekend

We just had the most beautiful weather for this past weekend. Sun shining and cool but not cold! We were pretty busy. We went for the cousin's family visit Friday night in McAlester. Saturday morning, we went to the Presbyterian Church for a garage sale that a friend was having to benefit the elderly daycare program. I found some cute little pineapple candle holders, Cub found a bag with an "R" on it and the Alien found some stuffed animals for the little white furry boys to tear up.

Yesterday, we went to Sunday School and Church, then to a quick meeting for the concert coming up for the young ladies (cub's age) then to the cafeteria at the University with our small group for lunch. After lunch, our group all went to see "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry". It was a very moving plot with a good lesson for life. I would highly recommend it. Believe it or not, no bad words, nudity, etc and was still interesting. By the time we got home around 4, it was definitely my nap time!

I have a new recipe to try out today. It is a unique cookie recipe and has butterscotch chips and potato chips. If it is any good, will have some for Xmas.

Soooooooooo looking forward to Xmas.

Quite a Day

We had planned to have a very quiet day today. Should have known - should have known -
all we had to do was go to Walmart and grocery shop. Well, first we stopped for gas and when we left the station, we almost got hit by a truck, in the process of missing the truck the Alien almost turned over his soda so when he grabbed for it we almost hit the curb and while trying to correct for that a motorcycle got in front of us and decided to make a turn so we almost "helped" him off the road. Okay, things can't get worse can they? Yep, we get to Walmart and met one of our friends that reminded us we were supposed to be at their house at six for dinner and a baby shower for another friend's daughter. Oops, would have forgotten that. Got out of the checkout line and went to get a baby gift. Ended up deciding on a gift card then came on home loaded with the groceries. Had a message from older sibling and she informed me about a first cousin that had passed away and that we needed to go for the family visit tomorrow night.

I tell you these golden years are sure tiring, lol

News - maybe

I would complain about the weather but just watched the snow in Colorado! Hope all the snow bunnies are prepared. We just have rain and wind, didn't need the rain and don't like the wind, oh well.

We had an unexpected surprise last Saturday. The Alien's sister came up from TX and spent a few days. There have been hard feelings in the past with this part of the family but hopefully this is the first step to getting it mended. Family is to important to let petty things break them apart. We need to remember there are no unforgivable sins.

Think one of the Cubs is finally recovering from the cold bug or flu or whatever it was that made him pretty sick.

Our youngest cub just ordered her class ring. Boy do they do things different these days. She is just a sophomore. We didn't get to wear ours until our senior year. She is still hesitant to drive her jeep but we don't push her. We figure when she is ready it will happen.

Our big fundraiser is getting very close. I still need to do a few things but am mostly ready. We were called last night and asked (really told, lol) by our group leader to be available tomorrow for a picture for the newspaper for the Sunday paper. Oh well, by this time next week it will all be history and it is truly for a good cause. We hope to make lots for money to buy medicine for the clinic.

Well, I MUST get busy ready or not. Til next time.

News Update

The Alien and I have been very busy these days. However, for each day that we do chores, we take a play day! Friday, we made a trip to Norman. Sunday was Sunday School and Church, then on to friend's house Sunday night for our small group meeting including a pot luck supper. We have such a good group. They are so different, a pilot, pharmacist, Physician assistant, school superintendent, etc. We all are going Friday night to the Amish restaurant again, yummy. Our group is responsible for the big fund raiser coming up so we are all excited about that. Then next Tuesday night, we get to cook for the college kids at our bible chair. It is so fun interacting with young people who are so full of awe about life. Yesterday, we went to sister's house for the Alien to install her new blinds and fix an electrical problem.



The cub is out of school the rest of the week. It is fall break. Seems like she just started!!! So far, the jeep is sitting under the tree. We have decided not to "push" her but when she gets ready, her Dad will be ready.



For those of you that aren't aware, I am now on thyroid medication and my goodness I actually feel alive again. Guess that little critter had taken "Permanent" retirement. She has started me on a dosage and will then do blood work to see if it needs to be raised or lowered. Yipee, I may even get to get out of my chair, lol.

"Relationship with God"

I treasure my relationship with God, my earthly family and my Christian brothers and sisters. I so strongly believe in God and everything he stands for as I have yet to find one thing he asks me to do that is detrimental for me.

Reading "The Shack" was one of the most thought provoking eye opening experiences that I have had. I agree with one of my cubs who referenced institutional religion. Having said that, I must add that the fellowship with my Christian brothers and sisters along with taking the symbol of the Lord's supper is very important to me and I need it on a consistent basis for my growth. Unfortunately, for years, we all grew up in very regimented, legalistic religions that were not very conducive in helping us build the warm relationship with the "Trinity" that is available to us.

I feel in my heart that I attend the Church body now that is all about love, forgiveness and nonjudgmental. For years, I attended different Churches of Christ and was considered sort of a renegade because my study of the bible didn't seem to find a lot of the "nos" that I heard on Sunday. But even then, the basics were there, the plan of salvation and the communion of the Lord's Supper. To me, those are the essentials and most everything else are the incidentals.
We are each responsible for our own soul and have to constantly study to learn more.

Fall

Wow, what a beautiful beginning for the first day of Fall. We have been in the low 70's. We may actually have a real "Fall" season. Some years, we go straight from summer to winter.

Well, the Alien and I are adjusting to the "golden years". We have already decided that we don't know how he had time to work. Tomorrow, we have plans to go to my older siblings for the Alien to install her new vertical blinds.

Then, the next day we are headed for Norman to get stuff for the country store that we are fixing for the big fund raiser coming up. We were "volunteered" to be in charge of that aspect of the auction.

Today, was a checkup day for me at the doctor. She is concerned about my low heart rate and high blood pressure so blood work was ordered along with a change in some of my medication. Yuk!!!!!!!!!!! That is always such a drag. I tend to be like the Alien's Dad when he was asked "why do you wear these glasses, you can't see out of them?" To this he replied, "well, they are the only ones I have". That is sort of how I feel about my medicine, it may not be working but at least I am used to them, lol

We are missing The Unique Life as he got moved in the camper over to the RV park. We had gotten use to having him close. I am sure he is enjoying his space.

The pool is being closed this week. We had to get a new cover for it. The alien takes such good care to keep the water clean and safe.

The little furry boys are happy to have so much attention these days. They are so rotten. At night, if one of them gets up in the chair with me, here comes the other one so I have them both. In the winter that won't be so bad since they such little heaters.

The Cub is still hesitant to drive her jeep. Her Dad has to make her drive!

Well off to the kitchen to help prepare dinner. The Alien is grilling steak, yummy.

"Without Rain"

I have heard that without rain there would be no flowers. The Alien and I are living proof that this saying is definitely true. We have been in a monsoon for the past several months but the little flowers just keep peeping out of the water.

This has not been a banner year for us yet we have so much to be thankful for. I have escaped back surgery (so far) by completing the physical therapy. The Alien has escaped the big "C" word for the nodule. So there is a whole flower garden right there.

It just seemed like when our health went south (once again) so did lots of other things. We lost a family member that has stretched our endurance for pain. The Alien lost his job which will stretch our financial situation.

Then I have lost some of the most important people in my life. Not through death. I see the little faces in my mind and just feel such indescribable sorrow. I am trying to accept it as one of those things that I cannot change but its hard. I feel that I was judged, convicted and sentenced without so much as a hearing. What ever happened to people being able to resolve differences? God teaches love over all else.

On to a happier note. The Cub is settling down in school. She still doesn't like it but hopefully she will continue to make good grades. She has adjusted to her contacts very well. She and her Dad are working on the jeep continually. She is so proud of it even though she is not the least bit anxious to drive.

The Alien and I are in the planning stages for our country store for our Church's fund raiser for the Compassion Outreach Center. Can you believe he is even going to donate some of his peach jam for it? We have lots of ideas and hopefully it will be successful. It is just a small part of the big fund raiser night.

I think all of you know how my older sibling feels about our dogs. Well, she had a birthday last Saturday so I went down and took her birthday to her. The Alien didn't get to go as he had to go to Texas to attend his sister's husband's funeral. Anyway, I found the cutest little white dog birthday cake and took that. I explained to her that Casper and Frosty ordered it for her and I forgot to tell them she was a "people". She was beside herself!!!!!!!!! I had to do something to lighten her day since it was the first birthday without B. She put it in the freezer to save until the three of us could eat it together.

Well enough chatter for now.

Thankful

We live in an awesome world.

Make it an awesome day.

Peace To All and May God Bless You

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
MY FRIEND :)

"Book Review"

I have just finished reading "The Shack" and I would highly recommend it to anyone. It is the most inspiring book that I have ever read and it still has me thinking about life and its many turns. Also, I am now reading "The Five Things That We Cannot Change". This was referred to me by my cub and it is very timely for me to read at this time in my life with all that is going on. I won't ruin the book for you but want to list the five things:

1. Everything changes and ends
2. Things do not always go according to plan
3. Life is not always fair
4. Pain is part of life
5. People are not loving and loyal all the time

If nothing else, I can certainly embrace all five of these things. Being the eternal optimistic "fixer", I have and (still) experience sadness when I can't seem to fix things that are so important to me.

During the past week, I have often made remarks that endorse all five of these facts.

Our cub here got her contacts and she is doing well with them. Her biggest challenge has been putting drops in her eyes when they get dry. I was teasing her yesterday that she couldn't call her Dad to come to school and put in the drops for her. Speaking of school, she starts this Thursday and neither she nor I are anxious for it. She is so low maintenance, I hardly know she is here during the summer. Maybe her dad and I can lose some weight as she has been making cakes way to often and of course we "have" to eat them, lol.

Frosty had surgery on his ear to remove the lump. He did great but we don't know until we get the lab report back what the growth was.

My older sibling and her daughter came up this Saturday. We enjoyed their visit. She is impressed with what all we can find on the computer. She is wanting vertical blinds so I found them online and they are sending free samples for her to choose from. Needless to say, she was impressed. We get to tickled, often we get a call wanting us to look up information or find an item online.

I have escaped back surgery, at least for now. I start physical therapy (this week) three times a week for four weeks to see if that helps.

The day awaits so I had better get busy. I wish only love, peace and happiness to all of you.

"Lots about Nothing"

Last week the Alien had volunteered to take two pies to work. Now he had every intention of making them himself but when I saw he was going to use instant mix to make a coconut cream pie and banana pie, my vanity kicked in and I was afraid they would think "I" made them so I got busy and made them from scratch. I have to admit after all these years I have never been able to get my meringues to look like the restaurant pies. Well, I just got on the old dependable internet and watched a video of how to do them. I am happy to say, I have now learned how to make them. They were an instant hit and they had George call me and tell me that they would be glad to eat any more pies that I needed to "get rid" of.

We had little Grace Kelly for the weekend. We kept her pretty busy. A trip to Braums on Friday night (when it should have been bedtime), a trip to Aunt K's on Saturday to play with cousins. She also got to see a "real" deer right beside the road, plus cows and horses. This plus swimming twice and helping her Grandpa give the furry boys a bath sure seemed to make her ready for bed early. After a trip to Church on Sunday, a trip to Wal-mart for two new outfits for school (which she promptly put on one of them) and an afternoon of watching movies with Resa, we took her home to Norman.

We took the cub's jeep to the paint and body shop today to get the hood painted. It is in otherwise excellent condition "body" wise. Her school starts in two weeks but we are ready. We started early.

The Alien is having a biopsy done as soon as they get it scheduled. They found a nodule on his prostate and are being cautious. It will be done in OK City as an outpatient.

My heart and mind are more at peace as I am trying very hard to practice the serenity prayer. It is still very hard when such dire untruths can potentially do so much damage.

The Alien has finished making his peach jam. I think the reason for him to get in such a hurry was the rate that I was eating them. I have been on these eating binges of just eating one thing, meal after meal and day after day until I get so sick of them. I have discovered that I cannot eat lettuce on my bologna sandwiches anymore or my favorite paydays. Now if chocolate starts upsetting me, I will just fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I take the Cub next week for her contacts. She is going to be so relieved to put her glasses up.

So long for now.

"Humpty Dumpty"

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall
All the Kings' horses and all the Kings' men
could not put Humpty Dumpty back together again.

I wonder why Humpty fell off the wall. Did he just fall or did someone or something so jealous of him that he was pushed. In that light, I have done some research on jealousy. It is defined as an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something that the person values, such as a relationship, or love.

Jealousy is a familiar experience in human relationships. It has been observed in infants five months old and older.

Jealousy is an emotion whose effects "frequently get out of control". People do not express jealousy through a single emotion or a single behavior. They instead express jealousy through diverse emotions and behaviors.

The experience of jealousy involves:

Fear of loss
Suspicion or anger about betrayal
Low self esteem and sadness over loss
Uncertainty and loneliness
Fear of losing an important person to another
Distrust

Jealousy in children and teenagers has been observed more often in those with low self esteem and can evoke aggressive reactions.

That is exactly how my heart feels these days, broken into zillions of little pieces Some damage can be corrected but there is some that cannot! Is jealousy behind my heartache? I will probably never know. I confess to being totally unable to grasp the concept of jealousy.

FAMILY

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? So what is behind the story.

Do you know what the word FAMILY means? FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU.

"Home Front News"

Its been a few days since I have blogged but hopefully the back will let me sit here long enough to completely bore you!!

We had little blue eyed blond haired Grace Kelly for a couple of days. What a joy she is but I am telling you even the energizer bunny could not keep up with her. She has more energy than 15 people put together. I wish you could hear her read. She had a Mother Goose book of rhymes and I thought she was reciting them she was saying them so quickly and then realized that she was reading them when I saw her turning the pages. She and I sleep together in the middle bedroom (she calls it hers and Grammy's room) and several times during the night I feel that little precious hand reaching out to touch me. She does it ever so lightly but just wants to make sure I am still there. She loves to go in the pool and did several times each day. She reminds me of a dolphin in the way she comes straight up and then dives back under water. I wish I had the strength to have her for lots of days.

My doctor is making an appt with a neurosurgeon for my back and believe me I am ready for whatever they have to do to fix it. It has literally "grounded" me almost and I don't do grounding very well.

J has gone back in the VA hospital. Hopefully he will stay this time until he can conquer his demons. He would probably enjoy a card or call. The address is on the net at VA Hospital in Omaha.

Well my time is up so will write more later.

"Life Goes On"

We are working through the fog that has surrounded us for these past several months. We just have to keep remembering that without rain there would be no rainbow.

The Alien is being very creative these days. He has rigged ("oops, meant invented) a way to pump the water through the solar panels into the pool to warm it more quickly. I felt the water this morning and it is working. I am anxious to get in that warm water. The cub has already been in it but when she turned blue she decided it didn't match the color of her bathing suit so out she came. She has a dead line of Friday (our deadline for her) to prepare for taking the written test for her learner's permit. I am sure that we will "rue" the day we pushed this issue, lol.

Talked with my older sibling this morning and she had a strong voice which made my day.

Hopefully, I will be getting to see and spend some time with little Grace Kelly soon. I think she comes next week for her visit. Haven't heard when or if the NE crew will get to come down. I think Z has summer school in English.

Our cub is getting excited about her mission trip with our Church group to Florida in July. We have dental appts, eye appts, etc this month trying to fit everything in. Since her school starts the middle of August, she has a busy schedule ahead.

We had our first two ripe tomatoes yesterday. Will let you know when we chomp into them just how good they taste "or not".

"Broken Hearts"

The cycle of life brings happiness and sadness. We seem to find the happiness easier to deal with than the sadness which is natural I assume. Sometimes though, the cycle of life brings sadness that we just think we are unable to deal with. That is when God puts his hand on our shoulder and says, "there is nothing that you and I cannot handle together". This has been one of those weeks. Our life as we have known it is gone forever until we meet in a better place. My sister has a hole in her heart that cannot be fixed. I know that God has put his hand on her shoulder also.

I don't know who wrote this "saying" but I dedicate it to my loved one that we must learn to live without until we meet again.

GOD SAW YOU

God saw you getting tired
and a cure was not to be,
So He put his arms around you and whispered, "Come to Me".
With tearful eyes we watched you
and saw you slip away,
And though we loved you dearly,
we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating
hard working hands finally at rest.
Even though our hearts were breaking, it proved to us
that God only takes the best!

So while our tears are pouring, we must accept that you are in a better place and that the struggle with pain is finally at rest.

Assertive Training

I am definitely going to find an assertive training class. Yep!! that is the situation that I have allowed myself to fall into. You may be asking what is bringing all of this about. Well, I know this will come as a surprise to you but it is not the cub, alien or furry boys, it's that dad gummed bird!!!!

Now cubs, just because when we went out to eat the other night at the "Prairie Chicken" and I had an untoward episode there, that is not the reason. Anyone could make the mistake there that I made when I picked up the coffee carafe and poured coffee all over my pancakes. After all, the colors were similar. The carafe was black and the syrup carafe was silver. See what I mean by "like" colors. It's that blooming bird!!!!!!!!!!!

And no it is still not the furry ones. Even though they let me know rather forcefully when it is time to fix their food i.e. come pull on the leg of my pants, sit and look at me and howl or pull the newspaper out of my lap. No it's not them.

It's not the cub, even though I have to keep her bedroom door shut to keep from committing a felony.

Not even the alien has pushed me to the limit, it's that darn bird!!!!!!!!!!!

I have managed to adjust to all these other irritants; however, the very fact that I cannot even walk out on the front porch without that bird screeching at me. She snuck in and made a nest in one of the palm trees and proceeded to build a nest and lay eggs. So we are stuck until the cotton picking things hatch. Who knows how much longer that will be. I should have been prepared since a bird did the same thing to me on the patio. In one of my favorite big pots that I always put geraniums in for decorations in the front yard. I now have four little furry beaks staring at me. By the time they are gone, so will be the geraniums.

That didn't push me over the edge, it is that darn screeching bird that won't let me out the front door!

"Not good news"

We went down to the south this afternoon to check on the brother-in-law. He is a heart breaking sight. So ill and so tired and sooooooo ready for it all to end. I truly feel if he was told, "its okay to go now, you deserve the rest", that he would just go to sleep and not wake up. He just can't stand what his wife of so many years will go through. I wish I had the strength to ask her if she could say that to him. We must all prepare for this inevitable event since borrowing a miracle it can be any day now. All we can do is be there for them with hugs and prayers. Life is so fleeting and fragile. It is so important to enjoy and make the most of every minute of every day. You know when our time comes, all the material things we have worked so hard to accumulate are just so meaningless. I believe totally that our lives will be judged by what we do and not what we have.

He would probably enjoy a silly card or phone call. Our hearts are so heavy but we have to put the emphasis on the blessings he has been to us over these past years and nothing will take those memories away.

Maybe we all need wake-up calls to not let time go by with telling those we love how much they mean to us.