Oh Wow!

Forgot all about my blog with all the excitement going on around here.  Dennis had a massive heart attack in April, and on April 29th he had a quadruple bypass; aorta valve replacement; and a graft over an aneurysm on the aortic artery.  The surgery took 8 hours, and I was scared half to death.  (what time I am afraid, I will trust in You).  When he came out of surgery and into Cardiac Intensive Care, he had tubes, and wires everywhere.  He was on life support for 27 days, leaving him with a hoarse, raspy voice.  He has had 9 more surgeries on the chest wound that has been resistant to
healing.  He has a wound vac, and a home health nurse.  I am his solitary care giver.  That has been a scary, and tiring job.
But I am so thankful to God to have him home again.  From April 24th until July 9th, and every 10 days since then for more surgeries to encourage the wound to heal has been a lesson in faith; hope; patience; and thanksgiving.

Six words Saturday

THE GIRLS MUST THINK IT'S SUMMER

Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. 

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating). 

*********************************************************************************************It's a really beautiful, sunny day, high near 80's.  The three girls have gone
to a pool to swim.....already!   I'm glad they have this opportunity today.  I think they are all three part dolphin.  :)

I'm asking for prayers for a situation I can not talk about.  Serious stuff going
on.

I love a rainy day!

Yay, we have a rainy day!!   We have had over an inch and a half in 24 hours.  It's much needed, and I am so thankful.  More rain is expected tomorrow.

In spite of all the family stress these past four months, we had a nice Easter Sunday.  The weather was beautiful.  We played the funniest game, and laughed so much.  I think it's called QUELF.  We laughed so much.  Laughing is good!

6 Words Saturday

Up from the grave He arose!!!!

Five question Friday

Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post or if you've suddenly realized a major holiday is bearing down on you fast and furious!

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP! 

Oh, and remember (pay close attention...this is the important one)...HAVE FUN!

1. How often should adults have birthday parties?

2. What was your room decorated like when you were a child?

3. Do you have any traditions for Easter? If so, what? and do you have a why behind that?

4. Do you get Good Friday off? If so, any plans?

5. Did you wear hats & white shoes to church on Easter? (Or was that just in the South?)




1. How often should adults have birthday parties?

As often as they want to! I gave myself a big party for

my 50th! I decorated all in gold and white. I ordered

a huge cake, (nothing special...just a birthday cake)

and had it decorated all in white icing and lots of

white roses. It was beautiful, and I was happy.


2. What was your room decorated like when you were a child?

I was the only girl out of five brothers, so my room was

girly. My mom did everything, and I just lived there! :)


3. Do you have any traditions for Easter? If so, what? and do you have a why behind that?

Easter is the most special holiday for me and my family.

It's the reason behind my beliefs and my faith. The

three girls are getting older now (two 12 year olds and

a 13 year old) and we decorate boiled eggs together.

Not sure what we will be doing this year. Lots of

stress and not sure yet what we will be doing.


4. Do you get Good Friday off? If so, any plans?

My honey and I are retired (but raising three girls)

Retired folks don't get days off!! The girls didn't have
the day off from school. When I was in school in

the South we always had Good Friday off from school.

Things are changing in our world today.


5. Did you wear hats & white shoes to church on Easter? (Or was that just in the South?)

Oh my YES on the white shoes, white gloves, and
a white hat. Being the only girl, my mom dressed

to the nines in girly girl stuff.

Of the three girls here we have one who hates dresses,

and the other two love dresses.

It's Wednesday....

Sunny Wednesday in March.  It's 66 out, soft breeze, sunny.  Looks like it's spring at last.  But the weather lady is talking a cold rain to start tomorrow.  But you know what they say....March showers bring spring flowers.  And there are signs of spring everywhere.  Really beautiful.

We've had the tummy crud around here this week.  A got it first.  Seemed to start out of nowhere.  She came to me on Sunday to say her stomach felt sick.  Then the throwing up began, and lasted all night and into Monday.  Last night C started feeling sick, and missed school today.  Then our son called from work to say he is sick and asked questions about symptoms A and C had.  Yep, sounds like the crud. =(

Took Casey the dauschund into the vet's office to get groomed.  On the day I called and made the reservation, the receptionist told me that Casey needed a shot....one shot.  I said ok.  Yesterday when the receptionist called to remind us about the appointment, she said Casey needed two shots.  What??  Oh, ok, mark him down for two shots.  Today Casey goes in at 9:30 to beautify his cuteness.  At 4:00 handsome husband goes to bring him home.  I ask about the vet appointment and what did she say about my honey.  "Well, Casie got four shots".  WHAT????
F*O*U*R???    Deep breath.  Slow, even breathing.  She is just trying to keep my darling from getting sick.  I understand that.  I really do.
But the shots are sooooooo expensive!
                                          

6 Word Saturday

I guess it isn't spring, yet!

Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. 

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating). 

Five Question Friday

 Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them, then watch for the linky post to appear Friday morning and LINK UP!

Oh, and remember (pay close attention...this is the important one)...HAVE FUN!

Questions for Friday, March 22nd: (Special thanks to Pam (@trooppetrie) from Troop Petrie, Scott (@ThisDaddys_Blog) from This Daddy's Blog, Kristina (@kristinascackle) fromKristina's Cackles, Brooke (@HallBro) from Brooke and Michael, and moi for these 5QF question suggestions! I would love to link you in a future 5QF, so come on over to my community or watch for my Thursday afternoon shout out for questions on Twitter and offer up your best question suggestions! Remember to @5crookedhalos me and use hashtag #5QF if you go the Twitter route!)

1. What advice would you give a newly married couple?




3. What items, if any, do you prefer to buy organic or make yourself?

4. What book/TV series would you recommend for a friend on bedrest?

5. So, they say it's Spring now...what does your "spring" look like at this very moment?



--------------------------------------------

1. What advice would you give a newly married couple?
     Don't be so serious!  Keep your sense of humor!
     Don't go to bed angry!  Be careful how you talk to
     each other....keep the respect in your language!
     NEVER, EVER talk about your spouse to anyone
     with words that would hurt, or dishonor your spouse!
     Don't run to a third person whenever you and your
     spouse have an argument!  Your marriage is no one
     else's business!
      We have been married 47 years next month.

2. Who does more laundry around your house?
      My sweet husband does more of everything around
      here since 2007 when all my health problems began.
    He cooks when necessary, he vacuums, he washes\
     the clothes, he drys the cloths, and he folds and puts away the clothes.  That's better than  I've ever done!


3. What items, if any, do you prefer to buy organic or make yourself?
    We don't "do" organic and we don't make our own.
    Who has time and energy for this??

4. What book/TV series would you recommend for a friend on bedrest?

      I would recommend any/all of Karen White's books.
      We watch "Justified" every Tuesday night.  The 
      language is a little "ripe", but we enjoy the story
      lines.  We don't watch much "regular" channels.  We
      watch mostly cable.


5. So, they say it's Spring now...what does your "spring" look like at this very moment?

     In our neighborhood right now it's cloudy, misty,
     and 44*.    The trees, and flowers all agree it's Spring.
     Some days I agree with them, but a lot of days I don't.

I'm doing much better today handling Theresa's death.  She would lecture me if she found me crying and grieving for her!  She was just that way.  Almost always with a smile on her face, and her laugh was so contagious no matter what your own mood you would find yourself laughing along with her!  I only have good memories of her, and I will honor her memory the way she would like me to do.

Don't you find it difficult to watch the news some days?  Tonight's local news had me really getting angry.  What's up with people anyway, and why are parents allowing their young people to run around after dark like animals?  The news report that had Dennis and I the most upset was 5 grave markers for American Veterans being dug up and broken for their bronze content!  ggrrrrrr!  Don't get me started!  I'll leave you to your thoughts about this.  Another report was a woman living in a nice mobile home park who is being tormented by youths throwing rocks, eggs, milk, and other things all over her mobile home.  Why??  She is a widow, living alone, and this assault on her home every night after dark is terrifying her.  I can only imagine how this would scare me.

This week has been spring break week, so the three girls have been home.  They are getting bored and ready to return to school.  It hasn't been too bad having them home 24/7, but I know they are wanting to get back to their friends at school, and since they are all three A, B students, they must be wanting to return to the work, too!
Nope.  I'm pretty sure it's the draw of the friends.

Leaving you to think spring!

Sunny Day...sort of

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.  The sun is shining, and very few clouds.  Subject to change, of course.  Jennifer, the weather lady says rain is moving is, and should rain for 3 days. We'll see.  We are still behind with our rain, so it'll be welcome.

It's sunny outside, but not so sunny in my spirit. A very dear and loved friend passed away Monday the 18th.  I am so sure of where she is now, and I know she is no longer suffering.  I know all that, and I'm happy about that.  But, I guess I'm selfish, but I hate knowing she isn't in the world here anymore.  I can't hear her wonderful laughter, or see her smile.  She loved the Lord with all of her heart, and didn't have a problem sharing Him with anyone.  She had a wonderful sense of humor!  I have so many memories of her...all of them good.  She brought so much good into our family, and those things won't go away.  I'm thankful, and blessed to have known her.

Yay! It rained...sort of

 When I went out to get the paper this morning...
I got wet...it was a heavy mist, but it was wet, and made my hair wet!  I stood on my driveway with my arms up in praise to the Lord who hears me and answers while I am yet speaking.   We didn't get anything heavier than that heavy mist, but it
watered the beautiful spring flowers my sweet husband planted for me.  It made me happy.

The girls spent the night with friends tonight. But I got a text that A needed to come home because she isn't feeling well.  When she got home I noticed that she is feeling warm to the touch, and was hoarse.  This isn't a big deal to anyone except A, who will end up having an infection.  I'm thinking she will need to see her doctor by Tuesday (if not before).  

BEAUTIFUL DAY, BUT WE NEED RAIN!

We are in a severe draught in our part of Oklahoma.  I love the sunny days (like today) but I would really love a nice long, soaking rain!

 Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words. For more information, try clicking here. Feel free to explain or not explain. Add an image, a video, a song, nothing. I love seeing what everyone does with their entries.

Each week (probably on Sunday or Monday), I use random.org to select a bunch of entries to visit.  Or I visit everyone. Or even numbered entries. Or odd numbered entries. Or multiples of three. Depends on what's going on that week.  In addition, please visit the person ahead of you on the list (or visit everyone if you like!). That way everyone receives at least one visit!

If you play along in your blog, please add a link to the Mr. Linky. I appreciate a link back (shiny code below if you like!). Otherwise, you're welcome to leave your six words in this post as a comment.

Please be sure to link either to your main page or (preferably) directly to the 6WS post. Links to blogs that do not contain a 6WS entry will be removed (sorry, just the button in the sidebar doesn't count as participating). 

Sunday wonderings...

I love the feel of Sundays.  It's probably just me, but to me Sunday feels peaceful.  Today is sunny, and 64, the girls are at a friend's house, and even the two dogs are quiet.  I just love this.  

Did you have President's Day off from school?  I don't think we did when I went to school, but we celebrated both Washington's and Lincoln's birthdays with biology studies of each.  Then both birthdays were combined together to make one President's day.  Our girls won't have school tomorrow.  I know I'm getting old, but I don't remember having this day off before.   However, I don't have a problem with it, just wondering.

Five Question Friday

Five Question Friday
Welcome to Five Question Friday!! You've come to the right place if you want a fun, easy post or if you've suddenly discovered your muses just   wanna be left alone. 

Rules for 5QF: Copy and paste the following questions to your blog post, answer them.


1. What holiday do you wish did not exist?

2. What is your favorite romance/love movie?

3. Do you make a big production out ofcelebrating Valentine's Day?

4. What is something weird you did as a child? (or even now!)

5. What makes you love your husband, really LOVE him, you know since Valentines is 

coming up?

My answers:

1. What holiday do you wish did not exist?
         Halloween.  I don't even see it as a holiday.

2.  What  is your favorite romance/love movie?
     
      The Notebook
    
       Princess Bride

3.  Do you make a big production out of celebrating Valentine's Day?

     No.  

4.  What is something weird you did as a child?

       (or even now!)

      I can't think of anything.

5.   What makes you love your husband really
    
      LOVE him, you know since Valentines is coming up?

     He's always here for me.  When I'm not well 

     (which is often) he just pitches in and will

     do whatever needs to be done.  He shows 

     me in a million ways that he loves me.

I love to read

I just finished a wonderful series of books by Nancy Turner. The first book of the series is These Is My Words.  I really enjoyed this book, and the style used to write the story.  It's in diary form.  The Prine family is traveling by covered wagon heading for the Arizona Territory.   When I finished this story I felt almost grief!  I wanted to know more about this family, especially the lead character, Sarah Agnes Prine.

I went to Amazon. com to look for another book to read, and to see if Nancy Turner had written more books.  Eureka!! I found that she had written two more books about the Prine family.  I ordered both books.  Just finished the third book in the series last night.  If you are looking for a good book, one with action, family unity, history, romance (clean, of course!), no ugly words, then you will enjoy the Nancy Turner series I just read. 

Today would be a great day for reading!  It's cool out (55 and dropping), drizzling, cloudy.  I love to spend days like this with a good book!  

6 Words Saturday

Well, it's been a long time!

I spent a year feeling sorry for myself, and learning how to live my again.  Nothing has changed in my life except my attitude.  Waiting for my blog friends to reconnect with me is exciting.  In the meantime, I'm back reading your blogs, and leaving comments!

Consequences for our actions

Remember I said that Ally had strep, and then she got it again?  The consequences of missing four days of school is a 56 in English class, and being put on probation in orchestra. She likes school, and didn't want to miss in the first place.  Now she has to do all this extra homework to bring up her grade in order to continue with orchestra.  I'm glad she seems to understand what she has to do.  Ally has Asperger's Syndrome and sometimes she doesn't accept consequences.

Sometimes I read the newspaper, or watch the news on t.v. and wonder about consequences in the lives of others.  Do people not understand that if they rob or steal that the consequences of that action just might be jail time or maybe even death if they get shot in the course of the action they are doing.  I could name a bunch of other examples of actions and their consequences, but I won't.  Sometimes even adults don't get it..........

Overcast all day and looked like it would rain.  But no rain for us.  We had a high of 50 again.

January 22, 2013

It's a beautiful sunny day here in our little part of Oklahoma, and 50*.  That's 5--0.  In January!  Guess we aren't going to have a winter this year.

Ally has strep again.  Seems as though with the gulp of water to wash down the last antibiotic, it all returned again.  Fever, sore throat, body aches, cough.  It isn't the flu.  The doctor did a flu test.  negative.  Positive for strep, though.  Guess she will miss another day of school.  *sigh*

Seems that I have fallen in love with cardinals lately.  I seem to be collecting pictures of them lately.

I have discovered another author that I adore.  I'm loving Nancy Turner books!  She writes in diary form, and I like that.  The main character in the series I'm reading now lives in the late 1800's into the 1900's.  In the past year I've discovered Karen White (writes mainly about Charleston, SoCarolina); Sandra Dallas; and now Nancy Turner.  I think I like their work because they all seem to have a sameness in their writing style.

2013? 2012 went by quick!

When I was  about ten years old, I remember lying on my bed one afternoon and thinking about my future.  This wasn't something I did very often....in fact it was the very first time. I thought of the year ahead, and figured out how old I would be, and wondered what I would be doing.  But I never considered that I would really still be alive in the year 2000. Now here I am, 65 years old, and amazed that the year is 2013 (although a very yound 2013) and here I am.

Seems like 2012 went by pretty fast.  Maybe it's because we are still raising kids, and they live such busy lives.  Three kids, three different grades in school.  Time seems to pass faster when one has kids in the home.  Or maybe that's just me.  More laundry, more cooking, more overall cleaning, and lots more tired.  Our second daughter has three biological kids.  A year ago daughter and her husband became foster parents to three medically fragile siblings (caused by horrific child abuse) and this year they will be finalizing the adoption of these three.  Husband and I are happy about the adoption. It will raise the number of our grandchildren from 9 to 12.  But as nice as that is, it isn't what I've been thinking about.  It's all the extra laundry, all the extra cleaning and cooking.  Three more noses to wipe, three more mouths to feed, three more children needing clean clothes.  And those snowy days when three more children want to go outside and make snow angels!  You know how that is.....an hour of bundling, then the little sweety needs to go potty!  Or maybe ours are the only ones that have ever done that!  Nah, I didn't think so!  :)

If you are a parent, then you know that when you are considering adding to your family, the extra work doesn't enter into the equation.  But I'm 65 now, and more tired than when husband and I were thinking about our family.  And on that long ago day when I was thinking about my future, I didn't think about any of that either.  Before the thing is done, we don't really seem to care about what the thing will bring into our lives except the joy.  Now that I am thinking of all this, all I'm thinking about is the joy of three added grandchildren!

It's been a long year

I've been gone from here for over a year.  It was an adventurous
year, and some things made me really happy.  I'll tell the happy and maybe skip the not so happy.

My husband and I have been foster parents three different times in our 46 year marriage, so our three older kids are used to having different children in our home.  I secretly have hoped that our biographic kids would want to come on board and be a foster home, too.  Our oldest daughter fostered, and adopted an adorable little boy back in 2003.  The road has been long and difficult for this boy, but it'll be worth it.  Love never fails!  Then last year our second daughter and her husband fostered three siblings.  These children had been horribly abused, and the baby  has had a couple of brain surgeries for fractured skull and brain bleeds. But in spite of the physical and emotional wounds of these children, daughter has decided to adopt these precious children.    I am very proud of these two daughters of ours.  We will have a grand total of 12 grandchildren!  This is a thrilling time for our family.

In June I turned 65 and retired.  I'm still trying to figure it all
out.  Retirement is not for the faint of heart!