"Happy Valentines Day"I know that it is a little bit early but I am here now and I am not certain when I will be back on. Valentines Day to singles can be a very difficult time. Watching husbands and wives, boyfriends and girlfriends, get all cozied up for a dinner out or see a husband buying a dozen red roses and a wife picking out that perfect card that says "I love you" in a special way. How wonderful for them. I love seeing them while they rush about, but there is a dull ache for the empty home I will return to and empty it will be when I arise on Valentine's Day. My daughter is the most thoughtful person I know. She bought me some wonderful stickers for my card making and my favorite chocolate marshmallows and put them in a little heart gift bag. I was so grateful. She will forever be my "most favorite Valentine" for as long as I live. I am not boo-hooing because I do not have a husband, but I am just sharing with you that Valentines Day is a "reminder" to single people that they are single.
On a lighter note, I would like to share a story that I found among my pile of saved funnies. I do not know who wrote it but I laughed so hard that I couldn't even see the words!
A resident of San Diego, was visiting her in-laws, and while there she went to the supermarket to pick up some groceries. Several people noticed her sitting in her car with the windows rolled up and with her eyes closed, with both hands behind the back of her head.
One customer who had been in the store for a while became concerned and walked over to her car. He noticed that Linda's eyes were now open, and she looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay, and Linda replied that she'd been shot in the back of the head and had been holding her brains in for over an hour.
The man called the paramedics, who broke into her car because she refused to remove her hands from her head. When they finally got in, they found that Linda had a wad of bread dough on the back of her head!
A Pillsbury biscuit cannister had exploded from the heat, making a loud noise like a gunshot, and the wad of dough shot out of the cannister and hit her in the back of the head! When she reached back to find out what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She initially passed out, but quickly recovered and tried to hold her brains in for over an hour until someone noticed and came to her aid.
"I don't know about you, but this story cracks me up every single time I read it...and I have read it at least a dozen times!"
Oh how I love to laugh! I guess that is why I like to write about the hysterically funny experiences that have happened in my life. Sometimes I become serious but not often. I must sign off for now.
Until next time...
laugh hard...laugh long!
WOW!...meeting this little darling yesterday made my year! I didn't expect her to be so petite and her voice is what you expect in "little girls voices", a little high and angelic. She allowed me to hug her and then she handed ME a gift! Imagine that...she has all of this battle of cancer behind her that she has endured and yet 8 more weeks left to be fed radiation through a tube that has been inserted into her tiny little chest. It is amazing how she and her Mommy & Granma have come through all of this so strongly and positively. I am in awe of her. God has a purpose for this little one. Many may be angry at God for allowing this to happen but God does not create illness in those He loves...but, He will use it to help others. He is with Kaylanna, I recognized Him in her eyes.
After we were well on our way of getting to know each other, Kaylanna pulled up her shirt to show me her "shunt" that is inserted just under her skin. "Touch it", she said in her teeny voice. It was hard and looked square. She then explained the shunt to me.
"See, they give me a poke in there and then it goes all the way up my neck and in my heart" She traced the hard tube with her baby pure fingers and there was not one hint of fear or anxiety. I choked back a sob. The lump in my throat was painful. If only I had even a thumbfull of all of the courage she has, I would be a better person for it.
Kaylanna, her Mommy Miran, and Granma Patty, are leaving Dec.29th. to Boston for a two month stay for radiation treatment. Her little bald head is just growing back now. It felt a bit rough as I gently ran my hand over it. I quickly asked God to be with her every moment, every day, every night. Please join me in praying that she will not endure any pain or nausea while receiving this foreign substance into her little body. Her tumor has shrunk 80% but we are claiming a miracle! Yes...a miracle. Her story will be heard by many and it will give those who are afraid, courage. Those who are weak, strong. And those who want to give up...hope.
Please, if you need encouragement today, visit Kaylanna's Face Book Group under "cutie Kaylanna".
+07.jpg)
.jpg)
WOW...forty-two more days before Christmas Day! It is the time of year when people (at least most people) are filled with joy and excitement. Women are gathering their thoughts on paper to bring together an array of food upon the dining room table to feed her loved ones. Men are wondering what to buy the wife on Christmas Eve, and children...oh the children...they are what makes Christmas so excitiing. I remember when my kids were small and how my heart melted when I saw the belief shining in their eyes that Santa really did come! Those were beautiful days and are just a memory now. My kids are all grown up and things have really changed. The one thing that has not changed though is that they have not forgotten those days and that they see the importance of what being a family is.Some people are not as fortunate as we are. The economy is at a low and it is difficult to get by on meager wages. Believe me...I know from experience. Some are not able to work, and some are alone. I never did like that word...alone. I wrote about it during the illness of my mother before she lost her battle to cancer after three long months. Later on, my children & I always tried to reach out to others, especially at that time of year. We would buy groceries and deliver them anonomously or donate money to a church. Some times there were places asking for a wrapped toy for a boy or girl. I remember well the meek Christmases we had as I grew up. One Christmas there were four wool socks hanging up with an orange and some candy inside. I was happy with it because it was something we didn't get often. Fresh fruit & candy were a real special treat. The socks were my Dad's. I recognized them from when my Mom would wash them by hand and hang them to dry. The smell of them were so clean and crisp from Mom freeze drying them and then bringing them in to thaw. I can still see myself in those days as though it were yesterday.
Later on in years we did get a present, but, I can't help thinking that right now someone is in need. The thought of Christmas coming is a sadness to them. Gosh...it breaks my heart to think that a child may go without. I wish I could save the world...but I can't. I can only pray that someone will outstretch their hand of friendship, kinship, and help someone they know who needs it, especially with Christmas coming.
What is your favorite Christmas holiday memory? Isn't it wonderful that we have been given this gift of memory so that we may remember wonderful times with family. I LOVE walking in the snow. I love the sound it makes as the snow crunches under my boots. I try looking into as many snowflakes as I can just to see if they are all different. I love the peaceful sound the white blanket brings. Christmas...how wonderful...how awesome!
Food! My comfort food for Christmas is mashed turnips, coleslaw, mashed potato, (my Mom's kind) & she always had pickled beets. For dessert there was always Lemon Pie, Apple Pie & Pumpkin Pie. This was much further down the road of my life. We would all pitch in and split the costs so that it wouldn't be so hard on Mom. My brothers were wonderful when it came to buying things for Mom. They loved her dearly. My sister & I would help Mom in the kitchen while all the little ones were running around our feet. The three of us would talk and laugh and whisper as we peeled, chopped & stuffed. How I miss those days. Since Mom has passed on it just isn't the same anymore. We have all gone our own ways and busy in our own lives.
I am already getting ready for my little Christmas time with my daughter, her husband and my son. A far cry from what I used to have with all of the energy, noise & constant loving chatter. My little family & I celebrate quietly. It gladdens my heart because now I have begun my own little family tradition...and we are happy with it. One gift, one meal, one dessert, and lots of laughs.
I used to have an appetizer party in rememberance of my Mom on her birthday which is December 15 th. Since my brother's suicide I couldn't host them anymore. My heart was and still is broken and I just didn't have the desire to continue this gathering anymore. Oddly enough, my brother's birthday is on December 16 th.! They also died 4 days apart but with 12 years between. This year I felt my heart change. I discussed it with my daughter and I decided that this year I was going to have a appetizer party. It wouldn't be as flamboyant as my previous parties were because of my strict budget but I will do what I can the best I can! My daughter is my "right hand girl" and she is helping me prepare everything. I used to be in catering, and cooking and baking were my first loves (so to speak). I used to put on candlelit dinner parties for 25 people without even one thought. Wow...have I ever lost my touch! My hands cause me a lot of grief with their arthritic pain and restrictions but I manage. Here is the menu that we have that is little cost, simple , and easy to make.
Super Nacho & Tortilla chips; The Keg Stuffed Mushrooms; Italian Deep Dish Zucchini Pie; Bacon wrapped mini corns; Vegetable Tray & Uncle Dan's Dill Dip.
This menu is subject to change. I am a woman and we do tend to change our minds a lot. Right ladies...0:)Blessings to you all and get ready for "sharing, caring, & faring"
Glady
