Happy New Year's Eve!

It is the Eve of a New Year!

Today is a mixture of celebrations, and trepidations.

Today is mine and Hubster's 20th Wedding Anniversary. We are celebrating as we always do...more details later.I spent most of today at the ER at Athens Regional Hospital. Ed had two seizures this morning. I was en route to work when I got the call. He is okay now, they adjusted his meds and sent him home. I am keeping my fingers crossed he is on the right dosage now.I also learned later this afternoon that my friend and former Mother-in-Law, MK, was hospitalized yesterday with a host of ailments. I feel for her. She has the early stages of Alzheimer's and a myriad of other health problems. I wanted to call her so badly, but Arthur advised me to wait until tomorrow when she is feeling better and maybe not as drugged. I know MK knows in her heart I am praying for her and hoping she is okay. She is one of God's special people and I know he will take care of her.I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year. May everyone be blessed with much happiness, good health, love and financial stability in the upcoming year, and find more God in their lives!

Missing People

I am missing people. No, no one has disappeared or got themselves lost. I am missing people who are not here today. I miss Courage, she is in Texas. I miss Granny. Even in the home, unable to walk or talk, she brought me comfort. I miss Bitty Boy, our cat. He was so loving and snuggly. (Yeah, he's a people too.)

I had dinner with Krumm tonight. I had been missing her. It was good to be with her and laugh with her. She is missing Courage also. She doesn't see much of her friend when Courage's BF is in town.

I get to ride with Arthur to work each day. That gives me a few minutes with her; more if we have lunch together. I miss her being at the house everyday, but it's gotten easier. She is just down the road so she is still close. And when we get together it is more special since we don't live in the same house anymore.

I miss the Hubster after us both being home for a few days. We are going on a little trip soon to celebrate our anniversary. Yeah!

New Blog for Ed!

You can look under my Blog List to click on a link to read about my step dad, Ed.

I hope to get down the story of his journey with brain cancer soon. Please be patient!

Taking a breather...

Christmas Day has come and gone. I have taken down the tree, the lights, the Santas and angels. Hubster has packed up the deer, sled and Santa from the front yard and put them away. I think I can finally breath.

Courage flew to Texas with her BF to visit his parents and grandparents. Her first report to me was "Texas is flat and brown". Hmmm. Today she visited 'The Stockyards', some old warehouses turned into shops and restaurants. I'm jealous.

Arthur is holed up at her house with her BF watching all the movies she got for Christmas.

I visited my Mom and Ed today, they are doing good.

Hubster is visiting his dad tonight and I stayed home to do the final cleaning up of Christmas. You know, vacuum up the last of the glitter and paper bits.

All the decorations are packed up for another year. I hate taking them down. And I wonder what next Christmas will bring. But for ow, I can breath.

Coming Soon!

I will be publishing a new Blog soon, dedicated to my Step-dad, Ed, and his journey through life with brain cancer.

Here he is just a few days before Christmas. He was so happy and looks so healthy.
Chemo and radiation starts soon. Please keep him in your prayers for an easy go of it, and that it works in eliminating the rest of the cancer.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Arthur and Courage on Christmas Eve.

We had a very nice, quiet Christmas. We got a quick bite at Waffle House and then went to Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, and then came home and watched a movie. Then it was off to bed to sleep away the hours until Santa arrived. The girls promised to sleep until 9:00 am. But at 7:30 I heard someone tapping on our bedroom door. Once again, I got about 5 hours of sleep.
...on Christmas Morning pawsing for Christmas Joy!

I enjoy watching my girls open gifts now, the same as I did when they were just little ones. I still love seeing their eyes light up and the smiles and giggles. Santa still fills their stockings and surprises are still found under the tree. Circle of love
Hubster finds plenty of goodies in his stocking!

I thank God for sending his only son, Jesus Christ, to live and die on this earth, that we may have Everlasting Life! Thank you Father for the Christmas season and all the happiness it brings!

So far this week...

Arthur has now lost a total of 35.6 lbs! We are seeing a lot less of her! She continues to count points and eat better, and it shows! Me, I am .6 lbs away from my goal. I hope to be there next Tuesday. Then after 6 weeks of keeping my goal weight, I will have free membership. Then I could use that $39.99 a month to buy new clothes that fit.

I attended the Christmas party for my ladies group at church tonight, and it was fun to relax with the 'girls' and just have some fun. This is another reason to be thankful for the season! Time spent with friends! We played 'Dirty Santa', but it didn't get dirty. I came home with a trio of gold wire angels which I love!

This Friday my dad has his first visit with the Oncologist. We hope to get answers and have a better idea of what 'the plan' is. He is enjoying being home. Since we found out about his brain cancer, I have heard many stories about cancer and brain tumors. Some have happy endings, some do not. I am praying for the best.

This is a very hectic time of year. More so this year than in the past. We not only have the holidays to celebrate, but also an upcoming wedding for one daughter, the completion of the first year of college for the other daughter, and add to the mix, having the rug yanked out from under us.

But all is well.

Coming Home

Great news! Ed was released from the hospital today! Praise God!

Update on Dad - After The Surgery

My step-dad had his brain tumor removed Wednesday. The surgery itself went very well. We did get bad news though. The tumor was a very aggressive type of cancer which will more than likely come back. Ed has almost 100% decided he will fight it. But that is later this month before he makes his final decision. For now, he is healing well from the surgery. All the prayers said for him lifted him up and God has taken care of him. He is in good spirits and seems hopeful. And so are we, his family and friends. More details later.

Surgery for Dad

Wednesday morning, Dec 3, at about 7:00am my dad will undergo surgery to remove the tumor from his left temple. The decided to forgo the biopsy of the mass. At this time, no other foreign bodies or masses found in other parts of the body, that is a good thing. The doctors tell us this will affect his speech and memory. Please pray for his doctors, nurses and other caregivers, and for his full recovery. I am going to spend the night with him and my mom.

I hope to give you a good report soon.

Updates on Dad and Uncle

My step dad, Ed, and my uncle, Larry, both got to come home from the hospitals on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

Ed had additional scans done on his chest and stomach on Thanksgiving Day. He also had hospital turkey dinner. He said it wasn't all THAT bad, but the sweet potato souffle was not as good as mine.

He had the hiccups for 24 hours after getting home. This exhausted him. After I read that hiccups can be dangerous for people who just had surgery, I called his neurologist to get advise. The nurse practitioner suggested he take Pepto Bismol, wait an hour and take milk of magnesia, back and forth every hour until the hiccups go away. Finally, after more than 24 hours of hiccups, they went away.

Other than weakness, he is feeling okay. He calls Monday to make an appointment to see the neurologist. I think at that time he will learn what they know about the mass on his brain so far. I am sure he will get scheduled for a biopsy at that time. Prayers would still be greatly appreciated.

Uncle Larry came home with a catheter and oxygen. The doctor didn't want to release him as he just had open heart surgery last Friday, but Larry said he was going home regardless, so the doctor gave in. He too, is weak. But he looks good and is laughing again. Prayers for his recovery still needed also.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Front Row: Hubster and me Middle: Arthur and Courage
Back: Arthur's BF and Courage's BF

Arthur and BF

Courage and BF in Dress Blues

Hubster and Me

Thankfulness

Thankfulness...The following are definitions according to Dictionary.com.

–adjective feeling or expressing gratitude; appreciative.

-adjective

1. Aware and appreciative of a benefit; grateful.
2. Expressive of gratitude: a thankful smile.

-noun

warm friendly feelings of gratitude [syn: gratefulness]

I have a heart full of thankfulness today, Thanksgiving, 2008.

In October, 2008, I wrote a blog titled 'My Cup Runneth Over'. It was my way of expressing my thankfulness for all the blessings in my life. I had a response from a reader that really stumped me, for a while. She told me some terrible things that had been going on in her life, such as loss of jobs, no health care, worrying about her children's finances, etc., and went on to ask me if I had problems such as these, would I still be so thankful?

I have done much soul searching since I received that response from my blog. First of all, I apologize for giving off the impression that I have a charmed, worry-free, unblemished life.

I must say, for the record, I have had a fair share of hurt, heartache, worries and pains. I won't go into much detail about those things, but I have had times in my life when I wondered where the next meal would come from, how I would be able to pay the rent, if my car would get me to work one more day, how I would be able to take my daughter to the doctor next time she fell ill or how I would I buy her medicine.

I've had times when I wondered what I did to a person to make them treat me like they have, and have worried over what I have said or done to hurt someone else or have known and stressed over that too. I have stressed over tests and waited for test diagnosis, not knowing if I would get good or bad news. I have not always received good news. I have been fired from jobs, laid off from jobs, and have made extremely good money only to be laid off and start back at minimum wage. I have been stranded on the side of the road with no cell phone and no one to call if I had one. I have had to operate my windshield wipers with a piece of twine in the pouring rain. I have had to thaw my frozen feet out in the bathroom sink after driving to work with no heat in the car.

I have eaten peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and drank grape koolaid until it made me gag to smell it. I have worried over my child not wearing the newest clothing styles and the best shoes like other kids in her class, or having the toys and gadgets other kids had.

I have had my heart broken, stomped on, smashed and shattered, by people I thought I could trust and whom I thought loved me unconditionally. I was a single mom for 7 and half years and struggled with all these things, before and after my marriage ended.

But, I am thankful.

One day, after pretty much giving up, I met a man who took me into his life and didn't want to know the terrible details of my past and didn't think of my young daughter as baggage. I am thankful God brought us together.

I now have two daughters whom I call friends, and I am thankful to God for never feeling lonely again.

I am thankful for my big, dysfunctional, extended family. We have disagreements, arguments, misunderstandings and hurtful moments. But in the end, we stick up for each other and are there for each other when tragedy strikes.

I am thankful for those family members who fed me and Arthur when we had little or no food in the house.

I am thankful for my two dads who helped me when my car broke down and when I needed help buying a car when I was finally able to do so. I am also thankful for the old car which somehow managed to get me to work 'one more time'.

I am thankful for garage sales where I purchased clothing, like new and name brand, for a fraction of what they would have cost new. I am thankful that Arthur never knew her clothes came from garage sales.

I am thankful for ex-in-laws who didn't blame me for a broken marriage and have remained friends through the years.

I am thankful current in-laws who bring happiness in their own way.

I am thankful that my husbands sister is helping him with his dad, finally.

I am thankful both my daughters have found wonderful men, whom they love, and who love them.

I thank God for friends who lift my spirits when I am feeling low.

I thank God for our health, our homes, our jobs, our places of worship and our country, and those who defend it all.

Just yesterday, the day before Thanksgiving, we received the news that my step dad, Edward, had a second Grand Mal seizure. The doctors told him and us yesterday afternoon that they found a mass on his brain. The next weeks will be filled with tests, biopsies, and hard decisions.
I am not mad at God. I am upset because I fear what my dad has in store if this turns out to be cancer, but I am not mad at God. God has a plan for Ed. I may not understand his plan or agree with it. But he is in control and he knows what he is doing.

So, yes, thankfulness is an adjective describing a feeling of gratitude or appreciation. It is an awareness of a benefit. It is a noun that describes the feeling of being grateful. Thankfulness to me is when it feels like the world is spinning out of control, I know God has control. And he has a plan.

I hope the person who responded to my post in October can read this and find something in her life to be thankful for.

God Bless You and Happy Thanksgiving.

Celebrations!

Tonight, Arthur, BF, and myself attended a dinner party at a friend and co-worker of Arthur's. It was a celebration of Arthur and BF's engagement, and a thanksgiving celebration for friends.

The celebration hosts gave us a tour of their lovely home. This place was decorated more beautiful than any magazine featured home I have ever seen. They had more Thomas Kinkade paintings than an art gallery. One print, and the rest were paintings. The dear lady of the house is not afraid of color. There were colors on the walls with names like 'Heavenly Blue' and 'Bumblebee'. There were other colors that the owner created on her own by combining paints...one she called 'Pumpkin Butter' or something like that. I was amazed by the beautiful blue hue on the walls of one bedroom...a room dedicated to a woman friend the hostess knew from the orphanage she grew up in, I believe. The room featured the woman's bedroom suite, which the woman acquired as a 4 year old child, and had until her death at 93. There was a Thomas Kinkade print over the head of the bed and a framed, black and white photo of the woman on the dresser. The room features two closets which flank the large window which catches the rising sun each morning. The blue on the walls is deep and rich. There is a rocker and soft lighting. In one corner sat a child sized clown obtained in Russia. This was my favorite room in the house.

After ample appetizers and several glasses of wine from the wine bar, the hosts of the celebration served Hawaiian chicken, Asian stir-fry vegetables, REAL mashed potatoes and gravy, and heavenly rolls. After the meal, we all sat around and chit-chatted and let our round bellies rest a bit. Then we had coffee and dessert, which was Black Forest Cake and a very smooth coffee. Delicious! The hostess and her better half certainly know how to entertain. They are excellent cooks, gracious hosts, are wonderful conversationalists, and make you feel so welcome in their beautiful home . What more could you ask for?

After much hugging and thank yous, all six guests received a Christmas gift from the hosts. A gorgeous Christmas scene of boys and girls choosing a tree and playing in the snow. What wonderful friends they are! They made a special night for Arthur and BF, and for everyone who attended the celebration. I thank God for wonderful friends like them!

Another Prayer Request

I have another prayer request for a different family member this time; my Uncle Larry. He is having open heart surgery tomorrow (Fri. 11/20) in Gainesville, GA. Please pray for him and his surgeon and his care givers.

Incredible Shrinking Woman

Arthur is the incredible Shrinking Woman! She has now lost over 33 pounds! She has had to get into her 'skinny' clothes she had hid in the spare bedroom. She got so many compliments today at our office's Thanksgiving Luncheon, I thought we were going to have to evacuate the building to make room for her BIG HEAD! Just teasing! She takes all the compliments in stride, but I know it makes her feel great! She looks more and more awesome each week.

Me, I am pretty much holding my weight at one spot for now, give or take a few ounces. I haven't been journaling my food like I had been, and between the cold weather and darkness after work, I haven't been running/walking my usual 3 to 4 miles per day. Courage has been testing out a local gym, and we all three may be possibly joining soon. But for now I am just trying to eat well and not over do it. I can say, today, I blew it!

Grandpa C

Grandpa C is 91 years old. He is Hubster's dad. He has a house guest and he is happy.

Grandma C died in Feb of 2007. Grandpa has missed her terribly. I have a story about her passing and what transpired during the next year...but that is for another day.

He has lived alone ever since her passing, but the Hubster checks on him and visits him daily.

Hubster's sister came to visit three weeks ago and hasn't left! Grandpa is tickled pink! According to the Hubster, he follows Sister around like a puppy, is eating better, talking and laughing more, moving about more and just over all, doing well!

Sister sits in Grandma's spot on the sofa, while Grandpa and Hubster sit in their spots in the twin recliners and they all sit and watch Grandpa's gi-normous flat screen tv. Hubster says more than once Grandpa has gotten up to go to the restroom or to get a drink and goes by Sister and touches her hair like he used to do when Grandma was there. You can't help but think maybe he is thinking of his wife, or maybe even thinks it is her sitting there.

Mostly, Grandpa has his mind. But he is 91. He is getting more and more forgetful, and more and more frail. But up until a few weeks ago, he lived alone. I hope he lives alone no more. Sister brought her cat with her, that is a good sign.

I am so happy for Grandpa that he has his son and daughter to look after him. Ever since I met him, 20 years or so ago, he has always had a great sense of humor, a hearty laugh and a warm heart. It makes me happy to see Husbster and his Sister taking care of him and making his quality of life better.

A Crazy Week

Everything has been so crazy this past week...it's all a blur. Here are some updates...(and Praises to God!)

1. My dad did not have a heart attack. He did have a problem with his heart rhythm. He had a procedure called 'ablation' on Friday which seems to have done the trick. They adjusted his high blood pressure meds and he is also now on meds for emphysema. He came home from the hospital Saturday afternoon and that afternoon he rode with me to Walmart to get his meds and a few grocery items. He is happy to be home and feeling better.

2. Courage got home late Sunday from her trip to NC.

3. Arthur did some cake tasting this weekend for her wedding cake. She did a 'drive-by' look at the bed and breakfast we all are staying at the night before the wedding.

4. Because I was driving back and forth to Athens this past week...my house looks like a tornado hit it, turned around and came back and hit it again. Mine and the Hubster's bedroom especially looks disastrous.

5. Arthur and I picked out the stationary for the wedding invites and RSVP cards, guest book, toast glasses, accent ribbon for the invites, and some wedding favours.

6. I made the deposit for the photographer (which reserves the date) and lined up the sylists for the hair and makeup for the bride and 4 bridesmaids.

7. Arthur, Courage and I all were able to each spend one meal with a good friend, because amidst all this craziness we have to have some time with those who make us feel special.

8. Me, Courage and Krumm spent Sunday afternoon at the King Tut exhibition at the Atlanta Civic Center and then had dinner at Copeland's Cheesecake Bistro at Atlantic Station. I highly recommend the King Tut exhibition.

9. Tonight, Courage and I spent the evening Christmas shopping. Another night, soon, Arthur and I will do the same.

10. The day before my dad took his trip to the ER in the ambulance, a new baby was born into the family. Baby Ethan Moon came to us Monday, Nov. 10, weighing 7.6 pounds. He has fat cheeks and a head full of dark hair. His momma won't let anyone hold him...

11. On the way to the hospital to visit my dad one night, I saw a person standing on the side of 316 East, in the pouring rain, waving his open cell phone, trying to flag someone down. I didn't see a car. My mom and Courage were in the car with me. I know I shouldn't have taken the risk, but pulled over. This man had hit a deer and his car had plunged off the side of the car into a ravine. He wasn't hurt, but was stranded with his car in the ravine, and had no idea where he was located and couldn't tell emergency vehicles where he was. I helped him best I could with his location and drove off with him standing in the rain. He wanted to wait there for the police to come. I pray that he got help. My mom said he'd be okay if he didn't drown before the police got there. I was afraid to stay put with flashers on the side of the road. I couldn't pull way off the shoulder because there wasn't much shoulder, it was dark and pouring rain. I was afraid another car, or huge transfer truck, would smash into us from behind. I pray he got help fast.

12. I am so exhausted I can hardly think straight. I see no end in sight as the holidays are upon us.

I am going to go to bed now. Take care readers! Thanks for all the well-wishes and prayers for my dad!

Update on Dad-The Good News and the Bad News

My dad is feeling better today...if you look at the big picture. He is still not well. He was having some nausea and vomiting tonight when I visited. He asked me to bring him a McDonald's burger, but he could only eat a couple of bites before his stomach turned. I got upset when I learned they were giving him a particular drug (Reglin...spelling???) I asked them to stop administering that drug. I have had a bad history with that drug. They gave him something else instead and he felt better after 10 minutes.

The Good News: His stress test came out good. His heart is good. The Bad News: He has severe emphysema. He is 62. He started smoking at age 12. So he smoked for about 49 years before he quit about this time last year. I hate that he has lung disease. But at least now people believe me when I say there is 'something' wrong with him. He can now be treated and hopefully feel better. We will know if there are other problems after more test results come in and more tests are performed.

Thanks for all the prayers from my friends, loved ones and strangers alike. God bless all the Prayer Warriors!

Prayer needed

Please pray for my step-dad, Edward Trusty, we think he suffered a heart attack tonight. He was taken by ambulance to Athens Regional. They have admitted him for tests. He has pneumonia now from breathing in vomit possibly. Please pray for him. He is my step-dad, but he's my DAD. He's 62, had smoked since he was 12, but quit a year ago. His lungs are damaged. I am afraid if his heart doesn't go, his lungs will.

I will update asap.

Doggy Woes

My friend (and former mother-in-law) asked me to ask if any of my readers have had this problem with their weiner dog...you know, Dachshund.

She says her little Dachshund has a problem. The little doggy has leakage from 'back there'. She says similar to a menstrual flow, but the vet says it is not that. I am not sure where exactly the leakage is coming from. Her vet has not really been very helpful. He tells her to just keep baby wipes on hand and keep it clean and dry. Unfortunatly the area stays irritated I guess from a combination of the oozing and the wiping and patting. I am assuming since she takes the dog to the vet that he doesn't know what the problem is. I know the dog is over 5 years old, but I think less than 10. She is 'fixed'. That's really all the info I have.

If anyone knows anything about this and has any ideas of what she can do to help her doggy, please let me know.

No BRIDEZILLAS here!

Today was a fun day! Arthur, myself and SisterSister (Arthur's other sister by her dad), spent the morning with Arthur trying on wedding gowns and SisterSister trying on brides maids dresses. It was so much fun! And there were NO BRIDEZILLA tendencies from Arthur! She was actually quiet calm and relaxed throughout the entire morning!

I think a lot of that was due to the fact that SisterSister was so helpful and thoughtful! As soon as she got the idea of what type of dress Arthur wanted (not too plain, not too fru-fru, some beading, not too much lace, no strapless gowns) she began pulling dresses off the racks for Arthur to try on. They both went into a dressing room and SisterSister helped Arthur pull on dresses. I waited on the other side of the door, holding my breath.

The first dress she put on was gorgeous! The second dress she put on was...gorgeous. And well, the last dress she tried on was, well, gorgeous! Arthur's weight loss was very evident in these form fitting gowns. She looked beautiful in them. The last dress she tried on looked absolutely stunning on her, and that was her final choice. It is hard to believe she found a dress she loves on her first trip to try on dresses. We placed our order with the lovely Ms. Madeline at Formally Yours in Lilburn. She and her assistant were absolutely wonderful. They were so sweet and helpful.

Next, SisterSister tried on several dresses from the brides maids collection. SisterSister is sooooo tiny! One sample dress was a size twelve and the shop girl had to clip the dress in several places to make it fit her size 0 body! She made the dress look wonderful! That was the one Arthur chose to be part of her wedding 'bouquet' as Ms. Madeline described it.

Now, we just have to get the other three bridesmaids fitted and all the dresses can be ordered.

Next, we all three had lunch at Johnny's Pizza on Sugarloaf Parkway, where you can get pizza by the slice. It was fun to have lunch and all three of us just sit and talk and get caught up on every one's news and lives. It was fun to be a part of all this!

Here is Arthur and SisterSister after shopping...see the smiles!

I'm Leavin' on a jet plane...

Courage left Friday evening...on a jet plane. She'll be home late Sunday...I'll miss her. But she'll be home soon. She's visiting the BF at Camp LeJuene. She's a big girl now. Oh, and this was her first experience in flying and she went ALONE!!!! That's why she's called 'Courage'!!!

I had a little 'fun' with John Denver's song...'Leavin on a Jet Plane'. She'll probably kill me...

All her bags are packed
and she's ready to go
she's standing here just outside the door
I hate to drive her here to say goodbye

But I've known this was coming
since early morn
She's waiting for me
she's blowing her horn
Already I miss her so bad that I could die

So she kissed me and smiled for me
she said I know you'll wait for me
Then I held her like I'd never let her go
Cause she's leaving on a jet plane
Gone to see that boyfriend again
Oh babe, I hate to see you go

There are many times you've made this trip
but the times before I didn't need a stiff upper lip
I've gone with you or you took your best friend
Every time you go, I think of you
as you were not long a ago, my little girl
When you come back, will you have a wedding ring?

So I kiss you and you smile for me
You tell me you will be back for me
You hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause you're leaving on a jet plane
I know you'll soon be back again
Oh babe, I hate to let you go

Now the time has come for you to leave
one more time
let me kiss your cheek
then I'll close my eyes
and you'll be on your way
You'll dream about the days to come
Than you will spend with your boyfriend
About the times I will not have a say

Oh kiss me, and smile for me
Tell me that you'll come home to me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause you're leaving on a jet plane
I know you'll soon be home again
Oh babe, I hate to see you go

But you're leaving on a jet plane
You better hurry back to me
Oh babe, I hate to see you go

The BIG Three - Zero!!!!

Just a quick note...Arthur hit another milestone in her weight loss journey today! She has now lost 30 pounds! Actually 30 point something...but I can't remember the point something! 30 pounds!!!! She is looking awesome! She is also very close to meeting her next 'goal'. I am soooo proud of her!

Me, I lost .6 of the pound I gained last week...so I am back on track. I hope I am anyways. I've been very bad about food journaling this past week, so I am going to make an extra effort to get back to keeping my food log everyday. I don't have the time or daylight to exercise as I am accustomed to, so I have to compensate by watching the calorie intake better. The winter months is when I usually pick up the pounds. It's the inactivity and the holiday eating that gets me every time! Now, add stress of helping plan Arthur's wedding and a new job to that mix, and I feel a layer of blubber growing!

Halloween Pics

I didn't dress up for Halloween this year. I wore a Halloween t-shirt as did some of my co-workers. But my cousin dressed up as a drama queen, and one co-worker was a she-devil. There wasn't alot of dressing up, but there was plenty of food to eat and share. We had 6 different chillis to choose from along with corn bread and all the fixin's. And desserts. Yum! The desserts!

Home Improvement Updates

The home improvement projects are nearly finished. The house is painted, the new roof is on, the porch is screened. The only things left are the new retaining wall, a couple of ceiling fans to install on the porch, and I think that will be all. Here are a few pics of the porch and paint jobs, and the new generator. Usually, if there is even a small storm our electricity is knocked off...along with everyone else on the street. With the new generator, we should be able to still have heat and keep the frozen food frozen.
*note* The lighting in some of the pics make the house look yellow. It is NOT!

The Cutting Board

My cutting board is one of my favorite possessions. A cutting board? How in the world can that be one of your favorite possessions?...you may ask. Well...let me start from the beginning.

When The Hubster and I married way back in 1988, he already had a home which was furnished with his stuff and also stuff his former girlfriend had left behind. One of those items was a nice, wooden cutting board; one of the expensive ones. I am not sure if it was 'his' or 'hers', and it didn't matter. Because the one I brought to the combined household was a molded plastic one with a rooster on it. Probably purchased at Wal-mart. So the wooden cutting board with it's smooth surface and heavy, solidness was especially appreciated by me.

For years the wooden cutting board stayed on the kitchen counter and was used for chopping and cutting...like they are intended to be used.

One year and three months and 28 days after our wedding, Courage was born, joining Arthur, my 8.5 year old daughter from my first marriage.

The cutting board began being used as a 'lap desk' for Arthur to do homework on, and for both girls to bear down on when coloring. It was used as a serving tray when someone was sick in bed. It served as a platform for small toys (such as 'Little People') which wouldn't stand up well on carpet and bedspreads. More and more purposes were being found for the cutting board.

One day, I went to get the cutting board for one use or another, and when I pulled it from it's storage spot on the counter I nearly fainted. There were crayon drawings on the top of it! I nearly screamed! Then I flipped it over and here on the other side was another crayon drawing. I was shocked and disappointed. I felt like both the girls, now aged 13 and 5, were old enough to know better than to draw on my stuff or deface things in our home. But when I sat down to look at the drawings, my heart melted and the anger and disappointment dissipated.

I could tell these drawings were made by Courage. Arthur has a LOT of talents, but drawing wasn't really one of them. On one side, there is a pink rabbit, with very long ears and what looks like 'wings' and there is a huge flower beside it. On the other side is a house, with many windows, fluffy blue clouds and a smiling sun, and smoke coming from the chimney. They were both happy pictures. They came from the imagination of my five year old, and they expressed happiness and calmness.

Later, I asked Courage why she drew on Mommy's cutting board. She replied, well you never told me not to. She is right. I never did.

We still use the cutting board, but not for cutting food! Now it is a serving tray, a lap desk, and when covered with tin foil it becomes a sturdy cake board for church functions. Also, wrapped in foil or a towel, I use it for carrying hot casseroles to church and family functions. The rest of the time it sits in my bedroom by my desk, bringing me a smile when I see that bunny with big ears!

Regents Tests

Courage and Krumm took the Regents Test tonight. I have no worries about them taking this test...both are good at writing. I don't know Krumm's writing abilities as well, but I know Courage writes really well. They both got really good topics...Courage wrote about what she likes about shopping in big malls opposed to shopping at stand alone stores or strip malls (so fitting). Krumm wrote about what is easy to discuss with parents and what is difficult to discuss. Hmmm! I might could gain some insight if I could read that essay!

I remember my own Regents Test...back in 1986. Out of the three topics I was given, I chose to write about domestic violence and how it affects women. I made the 2nd highest score on Regents Tests taken at Gainesville College that year (called Gainesville Junior College at that time). My best college classmate friend, Spiderman, (he was all arms and legs, the name just fit him well), scored the best! We were in such competition with each other! I think it helps to have a 'competitive' friend...makes you try harder.

Anyways...keep your fingers crossed for Courage and Krumm. I'll let you know their results when we get 'em!

No Fair!

No fair! This past weekend we celebrated Arthur's birthday, I ate out once, she ate out twice. We had 'Halloween' food at work today in the juvenile court division, she ate more than I did. But who gained weight since last weekend? ME!!!!!!!! She stayed the same....lost zero, gained zero. But no! I had to gain a pound! NO FAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy News!

I am very pleased to announce...Arthur and her BF got engaged yesterday!!!!!!!!!! They spent the day in beautiful Dahlonega, Georgia...horseback riding, dinner at an Italian restaurant, and walking around the little town, looking in different shops. Finally, they sat outside under the stars and BF told Arthur to look up at the starry sky, to pick a star and make a wish on it. Then he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him! She burst out in tears of joy, and said YES of course!

Her ring is beautiful! I don't know all the fine details, but I understand that the jeweler whom BF purchased the ring from had acquired the diamond in the ring in an estate sale. The diamond itself is over a 100 years old, but the jeweler put it in a new ring that he designed. He said the cut of the diamond is rare these days...and it is in the center of the ring and then there are smaller diamonds all around it. I hope you can see it in the pictures shown...I will try to get a closer view soon, and the name of the cut, etc.

Arthur is on cloud nine, and me and her dad and step dad, her two sisters and brother and other family members are all so happy for her. We've already started very tentative wedding plans and details...and looking at a February wedding date!

More details to come soon!

Birthday Celebration

We celebrated Arthur's birthday a bit early this year...her birthday fell on a work night, so we changed her birth date just for this year. We had a nice dinner and then went to see DRACULA at the Aurora Theater. The play was good, but towards the end I started to yawn a bit. Arthur is 27 this year. Wow! I had her when I was 20. I looked 16. In fact, the nurses run around whispering and avoiding eye contact until I caught on and told them I was 20. Which is young in itself, but I could only imagine what they were thinking. Arthur's daddy looked younger than his years too. We were babies having a baby. I was scared to death and so was he. But when she finally came out into the world and was laid on my chest, she looked at me with those big, round, blue eyes and my heart swelled and burst with love. I then had the courage to face whatever came. I also knew that all the morning (and afternoon and evening) sickness, the fear, the pain, was worth every minute of it. And I knew I had a friend for life. She has been everything I ever dreamed she would be, and more. There were times in my life when I felt like God had turned his back on me, but then I'd see her little face, and I knew he was there. She gave me a reason to get up on the days I felt like I couldn't. She gave me hope when I felt like there was none. Wanting the best for her made me strive to make a better life for us and to set high standards. Having her was proof that God had a plan for me. Over the years we have had our struggles...we both wanted control. I finally had to believe that she would make good choices, and let go. And she has done well. She is a woman now, but when she laughs, I see the twinkle in her eyes and the dimples in her cheeks that were her trademark as a little girl. She is grown, but will always be my baby.

My Cup Runneth Over!

I do not know why, but God blesses me each and every day, so well, that I cannot even begin to count all my blessings! I wake up each morning and I thank him for that, then I thank him for other blessings, and then I ask that he bless me again and all day. I ask him to watch over my loved ones, to help me to be his servant, and to ward off evil (spirits and people!). And he does! He blesses me every day! Every hour! Every minute! I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful and loving daughters, a beautiful home, a good car, excellent health, a new job that I am beginning to like a big bunch and a group of women who make that job so enjoyable, good relationships with my extended family and I have loving friends, and that is only the beginning! I know! I am so blessed! Thank you GOD! I feel so loved by you!

Carving Pumpkins

Arthur and I carved pumpkins tonight. (Courage carved pumpkins with Krumm last week, so she had no interest in joining us.) Halloween is so much fun!

Eating to feed your emotions.

According to our WW leader (WWL) tonight, if you eat when you are not hungry, you are more than likely feeding your emotions. You might be feeling bored, out of control, anxious, angry, lonely, etc. So, you eat a candy bar, a cookie, a cake or a loaf of bread. But does that give you what you really want? Stimulation, control, comfort, satisfaction, happiness, etc? No. Mostly, it just makes you feel guilty. WWL would like for us to try a little experiment. When we want to eat, but are not actually experiencing hunger pangs, shake our hands, like they went to sleep and you are trying to regain the feeling. He says it is a little distraction for the brain. He seems to think it will help us not eat when we aren't really hungry. I'll give it a try. But I must admit, I am a bit skeptical. Of course, I was a little bit skeptical that I could stick to a diet. But tonight the scale says I have lost a total of 15.4 lbs!

And get this; Arthur has lost exactly 28 lbs! Her co-workers continue to tease her about her 'baggy britches'. I say, that's a good thing to be teased about! Arthur is trying really hard to eat 'good' this week, and not get into her extra points during the week, so that she can splurge this weekend when we all go out to celebrate her birthday! She and I can hardly wait because our restaurant choice serves shrimp and grits. Ok, it probably won't be as good as the shrimp and grits we get on River Street in Savannah, but we're hoping it will be at least HALF as good! Then we are taking in a play. Details later! Arthur and I both need new clothes, but don't have the time to shop. I bought a bunch of new things when I found out I had a job, but honestly, those things are now kinda' saggy! Hmmm. Not complaining though!

Let the painting begin!

The house is coming along nicely. The porch is all framed out, all the trim has been painted a nice cream color, and now the rest of the house can be painted. The painting should be completed by o on Thursday, and then the screen in the porch should be installed. The new back patio has been poured and OBF is coming up with a new retaining wall design. It is all beginning to come together. I am hoping it is complete enough to have cake and ice cream on the porch this weekend for Arthur's birthday, if not, most definitely by Halloween!
Pic #1. The red door will be gone soon! It is being painted black.

Pic #2. The porch in the middle stages...new part around bottom, old posts, new steps but no rails.

Pic #3. The old patio is gone (along with the chipmunks. I guess the noise scared them off). The new patio is freshly poured.

Pic# 4. The porch at a later stage...with additional framing and posts, new rails on steps.
Pic# 5. A view from inside the porch...notice lovely new paint on walls! I have new porch furniture in the basement just waiting to come up and enjoy the fresh air!

Names

My new job has me looking at between 500-1,000 traffic tickets per day. First, I check them off a list when they are sent over from the police department. Next, I staple them to a card which will accommodate more information as the ticket goes through various processes. I then sort them for filing in the 'To Be Verified' cabinets. I have done this for three days.

Today I got to experience traffic court. I helped pull citation copies for persons appearing before the judge. There was a seemingly unending line of people holding their yellow citation copies waiting to get an instruction sheet in either English or Spanish and as they approached me and the person I was shadowing, I looked at their ticket and looked for the last name, then I said the name out loud so she could pull the original citation to give to the court attendant.

Names. There were lots of Hispanic names and lots of easy to pronounce common names. Then there were some that were very hard to pronounce and some I slaughtered in my attempts to pronounce. But one stands out in my mind.

This tall guy walks up and hands me his citation copy. I open my mouth in anticipation of saying his name out loud, but pulled myself up short. His name was, and I will spell it...D - U -D-U. Well, I don't know about you, but I would pronounce that Doo-doo. My mind racing, I thought well, maybe it is pronounced Duh-Duh. Either way, the silly teen-ager that still exists in my mind, could not bring herself to say this out loud for fear my voice would crack, or a big huge grin would split my face, or worse; I would burst out laughing. So, I turned to the person I was shadowing and said D - his name starts with D and the citation number is 5-4-3-2-1. After he received his instructions and walked into the court room, I could smile.

I'm sorry, that is just the silly person inside me that won't grow up and won't behave. The same thing happened when the help-line operator who sits in the cubicle with me, was helping some person named 'Ho'. I know this is a very common name in China, and maybe some other countries. But here in the U.S., Ho is not used in a nice way to describe anyone or to call someone. So to hear this sweet little lady behind me ask this person on the phone, 'Well, Ho, what did you do to get ticketed?' Hmmmm. The silly person inside me just wouldn't behave and I had to giggle. (The help operator was enjoying every minute of calling this person 'Ho' too!) I mean, how many times in your life do you get away with calling a complete stranger 'ho'?

Call me immature, it's okay. My body is 47. My mind is 15.

One thing I learned today...have compassion for all people when they are having a bad day.

Over the years I have become increasing angry when I learn a certain group of non-U.S. Citizens have come to our country and break the laws we have in place. I feel that if people come into this country to stay, they need to learn our language, learn and obey our laws, become legal, etc., etc., etc. Well, let me tell you this; When you see a group of people standing in line to face the judge, even if it just for a traffic violation, you see the fear on their faces, no matter what color their skin is, no matter what language they speak, no matter if they are dressed nice or not so nice. They are all afraid or anxious because they don't know what is coming. They know they have done something wrong and don't know what, yet, they are going to have to do to make it right. Most of them know it is going to involve either one, some, or all of these things: Pay a fine, do some community service, take some type of class, lose their license or maybe even go to jail. When you see the fear or worry on their faces, you can't help but feel a little bit sympathetic. It is not for the ticket taker to judge them.

The first thing I noticed is that the person I was shadowing didn't always greet the person as they stepped up. She mostly she just reached out for their ticket. Sometimes she would say hi or good morning. But mostly not. She is trying to get everyone in the courtroom as quickly as possible. She was very polite in giving them the instructions, but rather impersonal. So, I started greeting each person with a smile and 'hi' or 'good morning'. I could feel the difference immediately. They smile back and greeted me in return. The first thing I think these people want to feel is that this person, a ticket taker basically, is NOT judging them. I tried to treat each and every person for what they are; a human being.

I ask God to help me each day to have a good attitude at work, to always remember that Heaven is for all walks of people, all colors, all nationalities, all sizes, all shapes. Not just for people who look and talk like me. I ask God to let people I encounter each day see Christ in me in some small way. Even if it is just in a smile and a greeting. And when I can, to call them by name.

(5) Five pound Bags of Sugar

Arthur has lost (5) Five pound bags of sugar, plus some! This is her 15th week on Weight Watchers and she has lost a total of 26.6 pounds! Next time you go to the grocery store, put five bags of sugar in your cart to give you an idea of how much weight she has lost. This is such an awesome accomplishment. I cannot contain my pride in her!

I have lost a total of 14 pounds. I am shooting to lose 3.4 pounds more, and stop there. Then, after 6 weeks of maintaining that weight I can become a 'lifetime' member, and not have to pay WW dues anymore - yyyeeeaaaaahhhh!

Oh, by the way, even though Amber lost all those 'bags of sugar', she is still just as sweet as ever!