I figured I might also talk about my experience with having a stroke. It wasn't something I really wanted to put out on social media so i steered away from it. For some reason the flood of well wishes on FB from 'friends' you otherwise never hear from seems so insincere. (Please note that this is me being cynical, and is in no way a condemnation of those who post get-wells. I am guilty of this very thing also.) However I found myself wanting to share my thoughts about how having a driving restriction affected me. There were many changes that i needed to make, but i have found that not being free to visit my children and grandchildren was the hardest. The new diet, life habits, working at home, loss of independence, doctor appointments, bills; all of that I seemed to be able to take on like it was just another task of each day. But I was accustomed to seeing grandchildren a few times a month and that had to be less often, especially at first. I am well on my way to a full recovery so soon my empty place will be filled again with their laughter, wit and inquisitive young questions and insights. I'll be whole again. Weird as it sounds, sometimes I feel so selfish to fill my heart up with happiness by making myself a large part of their lives now, only to leave them to grieve when it is time for me to go. Hmmm. Would it be easier for them later if I was the gma they saw occasionally, who gave them cookies and hugs on holidays but they weren't attached to with their everyday lives. Well I don't know. But I will claim extreme selfishness since I do not have the will, strength or desire to be that gma. I just have to do everything in my power to live a long healthy life so when that day comes they are all mature enough to understand and so they have tons of wonderful memories to fall back on. Ok, I have my mission. I've got this!!

Well I have begun my annual Autumn borage of crafty project ideas since I have this dream of being able to create a beautiful, useful, thoughtful, handmade gift for my friends and family they will cherish and remember forever. (I'll pause while you laugh) Even though i have yet to accomplish my goal, trying sure is fun. I have tried alot of different things over the years, not all of them failures, but with each one the learning, planning, testing, experimenting and trials seemed to be as rewarding as the original goal. That being said, once I accomplish the original goal I'm sure all the rest will dim and fall away. For now I will cherish the journey since I know from experience, the gifts and trinkets l have received grow more precious as years pass and I never really know their value until their creator is unreachable in this world.

Spontaneity

On my way home from the grandson's soccer game and before going to Wal-mart, I decided to stop at my favorite place to catch a few shots of birds or whatever passed by my lens.  It was an overcast day, which sometimes proves to be better lighting than bright sun and I had my camera with me. 
I'm not by nature a spontaneous person, but "nature" can give you incentive to try it because often that is when the best shots can be made. 

I love my camera, but as my love for using it grows, it seems more and more lacking.  Wish I had sprang for the model with interchangeable lenses.  So, while I did happen to see multiple cranes and geese, I had to use full optical and digital zoom to get pics which meant the shots were grainy and not "show off" quality. 

But as did with my last stop at this spot a unique thing happened.  I was ready to give up and head to Wal-mart, when I noticed this bird keep flying over to my truck like it was trying to get in... So, I swing up the camera to ready position.   This pretty little purple finch, was repeatedly flying back and forth from the ground or nearby tree, to my truck window or mirror.  The only thing I could figure was that the light was just right for it to see it's reflection in the glass.  It wasn't even detered when I walked over and got in and closed the door and proceeded to take pictures from the inside.  I hated to drive away, but it was almost sad to see it trying to find it's "Spring Fling" in my glass.  I thought I should leave so it would look elsewhere.   what fun.... :) 

Never a dull moment on my little spontaneous diversions.  Last time as I was also leaving the "spot"; a Red Tail Hawk swooped down in the median in front of me and caught a "prey" and proceeded to eat it while I sat on the side of the highway taking pictures.  WOW.. Bird Pics

Christmas all around......

The other day I went to see my grandson in a musical christmas show.  The song he sang with the group was I See Christmas All Around.  It was so cute. He did so good.  I was very proud.  I wonder if he realized that he was in front of probably 1000 people?  Maybe better off not knowing.  I know it would have been for  me. 

The stage was decorated beautifully and the Pastor's message was about all the wonderful things that God has done.  More specifically, how he sent Jesus thru a virgin and all the miraculousness of it!!  I truly enjoyed it. 

This sure is a busy time of year.    I hope all will stop and take a moment to reflect and meditate on the real Reason for the Season.  Count your blessings and make sure the ones you love, Know it!! 

Ideas

I have so many....  too  many.  Too  many things I want to do.  I really do enjoy my life.  It may seem dull to some since I don't do anything "extreme" but I guess I have learned to enjoy and to be content with the simple things.  While my to-do list grows, it doesn't overwhelm me.  I prioritize, then engage. Those things left to drop off the bottom do not haunt me.  Life is good.  Actually Everlasting Life is good.. it's GREAT.  It is what can give you drive, hope, determination, dedication, ambition and desire and also give you peace, contentment, fulfilment, self control, satisfaction and rest.  ooops I think I crossed over to my other blog...  peace..:)

SSG. Wm. Ryan Fritsche~

Four years ago on July 27th, in a foreign land, in extreme conditions, my nephew SSG. Wm. Ryan Fritsche gave his life. He was killed by a sniper shot while protecting his unit. All were saved. Not only them but many more. It’s the opposite of Collateral damage. It's collateral safety. That's what we enjoy. As we get up this morning from our cozy, cool beds on a hot summer day, we go about out comfortable lives, to our secure safety and our knowledge that we can enjoy life, liberty and a pursuit of happiness as
"collateral safety" because of those brave enough to lay it all down. I will never forget you Ry and I salute you and all that have served and paid the ultimate price ... I love you.

Water

Water. Yuk, I hate it unless I am really hot. My daughter-in-law says to stop drinking diet coke. Well as much as I love pop I know she is right.  So I am making myself drink a bottle of water before I have any pop.   One bottle of water a day is about all I can handle.  OMG if I had to drink the 6-8 they recommend,  I would float away or spend all my time in the bathroom. 
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Time

I guess everyone, at least adults, feel like there isn't enough time in the day.  Sometimes I look at others and think, "how do that do everything they do?".  Seemingly, I'm the only one that never has enough time to get done All the things I want to do.  Or even half the things I want to do.  I don't watch much TV, I do watch streaming TV on netflix, but usually use my "should be sleeping" time for that.  As I do writing this blog.  It's my relaxation.  I have a to-do list a mile long, but where does my time go?  Why doesn't this list get any smaller?  More items get added to the list, then gets removed. 

I've taken some long weekends lately to finish my dining room which won't be a dining room when I'm done.  I plan to use it as an extension of the living space since we rarely have more then two people eating here at the same time.  I think the space would be better used to make more room for the grand-kids to play or for everyone to be in the same room when the kids and grand-kids visit.

They are not here that often, but as I've said, if they only came once a year and I did something to make it more comfy or pleasant, it is worth it. 

There is one day left of this long weekend and I have one wall yet to finish.  Then the quarter round goes down and I'll be done.  Not sure if I will push myself to actually also get the decor on the walls, but if things go well, I might.  Seems like my renovations take me so long, but I do them by myself and I also go ahead and do errands, laundry, etc. and a tiny bit of "relaxation" so I don't completely kill myself at it.  Going up and down the ladder 50 times a day is not the easiest thing any more.  LOL..  I did NOT just admit I was getting older.  :)

The job done will be very rewarding and I'll move on to the next thing on the list.  Someday, I'll be done. . . . then what?  Like I said before, allot of the enjoyment is in the doing.  I just hope my poor husband can last through it. 

Remembering

Today, once again, we remembered our fallen hero, SSG William Ryan Fritsche.  He was my nephew and I am so proud of him.  We gathered at the Martinsville Post office to share in the receipt of a marble memorial stone.  Below is the explanation of it written by my sister, Ryan's mother.  I can't do it justice so I'll let her tell the story.  I'm just proud to be a part of a family and community that cares enough to still support us after 4 years.  God Bless America and God Bless Martinsville and Morgan county.  They mean so much to us. 

Thanks to a soldier at Ft. Carson, Colorado named John Francis and the US Army, this 55/60lb marble memorial stone that was created by an unknown person or entity to mark the entrance of OP Fritsche in the mountains of Afghanistan near the Pakistan border has arrived at the post office in Martinsville to find its final resting place i...n Ryan’s home town.
John’s scout unit was sent to OP Fritsche in 2009 to search for enemy Taliban. The soldiers found this stone wrapped up laying in a building in a place that you can only be air dropped in or fight your way on foot up the rugged mountain side. They had no idea who had it made or how it found its way to such a remote place but they cleaned and mounted it at the entrance of OP Fritsche in honor of a fallen brother that they had never met.
In 2009 OP Fritsche and Camp Keating were both brutally attacked and the US lost 8 young men that day. Both bases were ultimately destroyed and abandon, but John’s First Sgt ask that the stone be brought back to safety with his unit.
July 27th marks the 4th anniversary of Ryan’s death. John has made it possible for the stone to arrive in Martinsville in memory and honor of that day.
Roger Coffin of Martinsville who is charge of the Morgan County War Memorial Park said it would be an honor for the stone which has traveled so far to find a permanent home in the War Memorial Park.
We invite anyone who would like to share this moment in memory of Ryan to meet with us at the Post Office at 1pm when we pick it up. Bette Nunn from the Reporter-Times and Roger Coffin will also be there.
Thank you and God Bless you John and First Sgt Hill for making this possible.See More

Productivity

I really enjoyed my day off yesterday.  It's funny how I get more enjoyment out of a day full of productivity, then I do from a day of rest or play.  It's only second place to a day with my kids/grandkids.  Even a half day wasted gives me a sense of letting my life get by me.  I think I get that from my dad.  He always wanted to do something "constructive". 

Discussing the prospect of looking for another home, my husband would love to find one that is move in ready and exactly the way we want it.  I on the other hand think that even if we found that house, I would still want to do 'something'.  It's in the doing.  The road to get there, not just the end result. 

I guess some think there are better things to focus on and truly I do feel that our number one focus should be God, then our relationships, and then 'the doing' somewhere down the list, but the feeling you get from a job well done and the satisfaction when you've done it yourself is really a great one.

Sometimes while watching TV you'll hear people say "we renovated our kitchen, we put in new carpet, etc, "   But what they really mean is they forked over the doe to have someone else do it.  hmmm.  not the same thing to me.  (sigh) the downer is that physically I am soooo limited.  But in  my imagination.....  I can do anything!!!

Is Summer half over ??

Tomorrow I plan to start back to work on my dining room.  It's been six months since I did anything on it, but in my defense I stopped when my dad was sick.  Then just one thing after another kept me from getting back at it.  Well it is time to stop procrastinating and get at it again.  I have big plans for my kitchen and bedroom and my eyes have started wondering toward the upstairs.  I find my self picking at the wallpaper trying to decide if it is 6 layers or 7 layers with paint in between.  Wondering just what lurks under that OLD carpet and what in the world could be causing that huge bulge in the plaster.  Too many episodes of CSI, 24, and SVU bring images of  corpse in the walls or piles of illegally gained riches.  LOL... I need to spend more time painting evidently and less time with TV crime dramas.  But as I have learned (or still learning) from my daughter-in-law, I should finished the jobs I have already started so I will be disciplining myself and demanding a finished Dining room and kitchen before I start anything else.  thanks sweetie.

It's HOT HOT HOT again.  106 deg when I left work at 5:30pm  -- oh I thank God for my wonderfully working A/C both in the truck and at home.  I am not taking it for granted.

Good news of the day is that my mother-in-law is going to be fine and home from the hospital in a day or so.   

So goes the Summer.  Flying by once again.

Life Comes at ya

A very eventful day is coming to a close.  Actually I should already by zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz'ing, but just starting to wind down.  Dental cleaning started me off.  I love my hygienist and we laugh allot while I'm there, but not too much.  I don't want to bite her..  ;)     I asked her how she keeps a straight face looking at someone in that position with their face all snarled up and mouth open and teeth exposed...  oohh the picture to me is either gross or funny.  I asked if there was a class in dental school to teach you how to keep a straight face.  Evidently there isn't one, but she says I just don't look at them. LOL

Since my truck had acquired this annoying bump in the back end the day before I decided to stop at the neighborhood tire place.  It was time for an oil change anyway.  So turns out those tires that I was trying to squeeze a few more months out of, gave up on me and exposed their innards.  ha.  I don't do broken belts and exposed cords, so new tire were in order.  Yay for me cause now my truck drives like when it was new!!  not so yay for my checkbook.  This years budget for the truck was expended after the right sway bar was repaired so when the new wheel bearings came along we were riding on "fumes" so to speak.  Then when there was no A/C and the temps were 90+, the order was a whole new A/C compressor.  So now the tires have put me clean into 2015's vehicle maintenance allowance.  it's all good though, cause I sure enjoy driving it.

On to work and a fist full of other peoples troubles left me accomplishing almost nothing from my own overwhelming piles of to-do lists.  But looking forward to my drive home was on the horizon and that kept me positive even though the temp read 104 F once outside.   B E C A U S E......  I stopped at the hospital to see my new great-niece born on 7/18/11..   What a cute and precious little darling.... 

After  a bit of TV I accidentally called my daughter and we had a nice impromptu chat but was interrupted by a call from the father -in-law saying my husbands mother was in the hospital.  we'll find out more about hat tomorrow after some test.  Our Faith keeps us looking up not around!! 

Today felt like many days rolled into one..   Was planning to paint in my dining room this weekend, but .........the best laid plans of mice and men...........

sitting at the shop Getting new tires........ :) & :(     LOL

The Search continues

Visiting a couple of homes that were for sale today, makes me reflect on the people who occupy them.  I saw two different worlds.  One was only approx 20 years old.  An acre marked out of a larger pacel and sold or given to a family member who not only neglected it but lost it to a lender.  It was sad to see the once nicely landscaped yard run down and abandoned.  Sprigs of remaining lillies and ornemental grasses managed to survive the overgrown vines and broken down retaining walls and lattice.  The other still standing after almost 100 years still boasting of it's original design obviously cared for by tennants that apprciated the workmanship and history. Decorated in period furnishings (modestly).  While showing signs of a once leaking roof, it stood stately on a nice one acrea lot with very large trees and historic buildings that looked to have once been chicken houses and a small old barn.  Sometimes I forget the reason for my visit and begin to wonder about the people and the history.  As my current home is 130+years old, I often wish it could tell me it's story.  If the walls could talk, as they say, I'm sure they would have a very interesting story to tell.

Biomed.something or other screening..... what?

Today my employer talked us all into screenings on our cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose , BMI , and etc. with a bribe of $75.00   ha.  It worked.. most people took the screenings, as did I.  Found I wasn't in as bad a shape as I might have allowed myself to think if I were a worrier about such things.  However I was very surprised to find my blood sugar lever at 42!  And over all Cholesteral only 114.   

The conservative in me sees this as a plot for them to deny insurance if people don't get screenings and take more preventive measures in the future.  There goes your privacy down the tubes... right?  Or does the fact that they pay more then 3/4 of the premium of my insurance give them the right to know the size of my waistline compared to the size of my butt and whether I eat enough fiber.  LOL

My friend lost her mother and best friend this past Sunday.  I stopped by the funeral home today to give my condolences.  She looked so peaceful and sweet.  92 or so years on this earth and they said she went peacefully.  Who could ask for more?  Many pictures of happy faces with family and friends showed a rich and full life even though she lost her husband many years ago.  Rest in peace Helen S.  you are heaven's gain.

Glen's back continues to trouble him. 2 days in bed makes him very very restless.  I'm feeling so helpless.  Patience and compassion towards him.... Righteous anger towards that stupid enemy that attacks.  When I grow up I want to have the faith to overcome.

Sizzling

Seems like when I was a kid the summers were hotter in August.  But I guess this is "global warming".  ha.  Which by the way I believe is propaganda.   just sayin'.

Much excitement today finding out the gender of the next grandchild.  Of course it didn't really matter, but since the count was 4 girls and 2 boys in the household, the numbers will be more balanced now.  We can't wait to spoil the little angel each in our own way.   How, oh How, will I win his heart from so far away?   It will be tricky, but "I CAN DO IT"!! 

I'm still playing catch up at work from a week of vacation.  oohhh.  But it makes me feel needed..  I hope they keep needing me for about 15 more years then I'll retire.  Then the grandkids will all be grown up and I'll have to look for more projects to start  and not finish.  heehee

Getting back on the diet starting this week. Didn't start it back real strict since I need to stock up on veggies.  I'm starting out to loose 15 lbs.  Should be easy since it is summer time. 

It's also a good time to learn some new drum rudiments.  I'm stuck in a 1 2 3 4 rut.  :)  seems like all the songs we do at church are 4/4 time and sound alike.  I can spice 'em up a little with a new beat.  Should be easy to find some on youtube and get a free lesson to boot.  Such fun!

It's a BOY!!

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Waiting to hear if we are getting a new little grandson or granddaughter!

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Summer

It was 100 degrees when I left work today at 5:30pm.... wooooo.   I was glad that today's cleaning was all in the air conditioned areas.  While my bank account has suffered somewhat I am very thankful for my new A/C and battery in my truck.  aaaahhhhhh.

Going back to work after a week off is always awkward.  A new temporary employee started in our department today so in an effort to turn over a new leaf and stop being so anti-social and shy, I stopped in his cubicle and introduced myself.  It felt good to be friendly and confident and not feel like I was making a fool of myself. 

I'm working on a new Sunday School lesson concerning relationship with God. It is fun and I've been learning alot of new stuff.  It's really giving me a different outlook.  It is very enlightening to realize that God didn't create us to be born, die and go to heaven.  He created us to live on this earth and have abundant life NOW and an awesome relationship with him on a daily basis, not just on Sunday!!  woohoo.

The time goes by so quickly at my age.  I can't believe I'm the same person that thought the nine month school year would never end and the thought of twelve years of school was almost unbearable.  Now here it is 34 years after graduation. LOL. 

I would never have looked ahead and put  myself where I am now.   I'm sure I would have put myself in a much more exciting life (per my definition of excitement then), yet I can't image being anywhere else.  Had my life taken different turns, I wouldn't have had the same experiences and the same people in my life that are here right now.   OH! I would have missed out on so much.  I'm glad I'm right here, right now.  It's very satisfying. 

It is my family that helps with this happy life..  If not for them I would be forced use my imagination alot more to get the good out of life.  They just put it before me each day and God helps me see it in them and in Him.

Projects

Church was good but always is. 

The yard wants mowing...  I'm thinking about it.  I transplanted some flowers in this heat and just keep them watered really well and they are doing fine.  Since I am searching for a new house, I may not see the benefits since it may take a couple of summers for them to fill in.  But  the 'doing' is actually allot of the enjoyment.. 

I would love to know some history of my house.  I'm thinking of going to the library to research.  I know the previous owners were here 50 years.  That is awesome to me.  Still looking to find some hidden treasure here somewhere.  :) 

After talking with mom  & Annie about genealogy, I'm thinking on getting my Grandma's genealogy into a family tree.  Mom gave it to me years ago and I've never finished it.  OK the projects pile up but that's the way I like it.  Thought of parting with my beads, but can't seem to think I'll never go back to them.  I'm so blessed.  I never get bored.  There's always a list of FUN things to do around here.. 

Found out that I can do quite a bit of work on my kitchen for around $250.  WOW I never imagined that all this time, I could have upgraded some things for such a low price and enjoyed it all this time.  another project.......  I AM my father's daugher.   that makes me happy.

It's Quiet Here

Just finished a week with the Grandkids that live out of state. We had a fun week. There were times when I knew they were just homesick, but they overlooked all my "rules" and kept having fun. We went to the zoo, out to McDonalds, to Aunt Vo's to swim and ride 4-wheelers, up to visit Uncle T to play with the "m" kids and hung out with Grandma Burps. It was a fun time overall.

We made the upstairs our own little trash heap. Toys, clothes and movies everywhere. We had a short visit with a little cutie named Daphne and played with Rikki T. I hope transitioning back to the normal routine at home wasn't too hard since I let them sleep in when we could and we had all the Yoohoo, Popsicles and Diet Root beer they could stand.

Now it is very quiet around here. Laundry is done, everything is back as it was. Missing them already.

Intro

These are the e's of me.
sis-e
Mom-e
Grandmom-e
hair-e
girl-e

I'm just a normal person living an amazingly wonderful life.  Would I change anything?    oh sure, wouldn't anyone?  But I have learned to be content where I am and love my life, enjoy it to the fullest.  I am just me.  Through the ups and downs I am counting my blessings and believing for ALL that God has promised me. ---------- Malachi 3:10 . . . . .  “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!