GW Keyl Get Up And Go Has Got Up And Went

 Don't know why but I am definitely singing this song today.

What I really need is
Snap out of It

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

It was a most interesting day.

I just got home from the hospital where I had some blood work done and I was thinking I need to tell everyone about this neat person I just met ( the person who drew the blood). But I couldn't figure out how I could tell you about her without bringing up the polio thing (Lord knows I do not like to talk about the polio thing) and then I thought well, I have to tell them why I am having the test done. But then I would have to talk about my hands, but I don't like to talk about my hands( I don't even want anyone to see my hands)  Of course my family knows about all this stuff, but some of my friends, especially the new ones don't so here goes.

These are my hands( well one hand, didn't think you need to see both.

I know, gross huh? I have had a problem with the skin on my hands for over a year now, today after three biopsies  I finally got a diagnosis, it is porphyria.  It is a little confusing, it has something to do with your hemoglobin, there are  two types, one is because of liver disease and the other is because of anti inflammatory drugs. All the blood work was to figure out which I have. More to follow on that subject.

Now the reason for this whole post is the neat lady who did the blood work. I had noticed her walking by while waiting to be called, she had a limp, was using a crutch and looked like she was having a bad day. When she called me in to her cube, I noticed one of her shoes had a build up and rocker bottom just like mine. I said hey we have the same mods on our shoes, she said, yea, I have an ankle fusion, I said so do I.

 And off we went, she had Spina Bidifia and I had Polio, so we went down a memory lane of braces, ugly brown shoes, leg length differences, how mean children can be, crutches, surgeries, what it's like to have bad days. I cannot tell you what that conversation did for me, I haven't talked with someone who really understands "what it is really like" since I had my last childhood surgery at 16, there were a group of us about six I think, we were all having the same surgery to get out of braces.

I have tried my whole life to never, ever use the polio thing, for any reason. I may have a little pity party every once in a while, when the post polio  thing rears it's head, but it is a small party, just me and sometimes J.  It was such fun to gripe, complain, whine with someone who could do the exact same thing without any quilt.  Does that make sense?  I hope it does.

So here's to  Iris, it was a blast to talk to you today, keep fighting the good fight. Hope you have more good days than bad.








Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

I am sooooo excited!!!

My blog is getting a makeover by Sneaky Momma Blog Design. She is starting the first of July. I have wanted this for oh so long. I have had help on my header courtesy of a lovely friend at The Blue Ridge Gal. And I tried so hard to figure this all out, but I finally reached the conclusion that this is not where my expertise lies, so why fight it.  This winter I am going to take the time to really figure out my Adobe Photoshop. I really truly am, I promise, really I do.

But until then I so want a nice clean look to my blog and am so excited to see what Sneaky Momma comes up with. Stay tuned friends.


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

.

I did it again.

Normally I am very diligent in not overdoing it. I choose to monitor my activity level very close so I don't have to use narcotics to manage my pain. I have done that in the past and it was not pretty. When I was helping take care of my Mama those four years, there was just no way to do it without pain pills. I had to push myself harder, farther than my body could go and I would do it all over again.  It was a blessing to be able to take care of her, I have precious memories that will be with me for ever.

But once she was gone I knew I could not continue that way. Your body adapts to things like Vicodin, it takes more and more to make the pain go away and at the same time I was  destroying what it left  of my body by continuing to abuse and overuse it.  I made the decision I would  consciously decide if an activity was worth the pain it would cause and I have been doing a pretty good job of it.

But I am a stubborn person and on occasion when I want something, I want something. ( that happens to everyone every once  in awhile, doesn't it?). Yesterday I wanted to put some plants in back along the house and then put a stone border around it and yesterday was RACE day.  Nothing happens while the NASCAR RACE is on in our house, that's just the way it is. And I didn't want to wait so....

Long story short I suffered all night and I am suffering today. I shouldn't have done it, I should have waited for J, but I couldn't and I didn't.  And to top it off, I didn't get it finished, I need 10 more stones to finish it. So now, since I can barely walk, I have to wait for J to do it anyway.  Guess it is a lesson I need to relearn every now and then.


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday Praise

All things bright and beautiful,  

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all. 

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colours,

He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain,

The river running by,

The sunset and the morning,

That brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one;

The tall trees in the greenwood,

The meadows for our play,

The rushes by the water,

To gather every day;

He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell

How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well.

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

It is definitely settled!!

We signed the contract for the work we will do in the house this summer, new countertops and sink in the kitchen, oak floors in the dining room, living room and hall, seven new windows in the bedrooms and the kitchen. The landscape guys came out and finished the outside work today and j is meeting with the paving guy who will be putting in the new driveway tomorrow.

  So we will be staying here a few more years in the summers.  It will be nice not to worry about it anymore.

 I know it will be a hassle but today J made reservations for us in WI and MI for three weeks end of July, first  of August. I am so looking forward to it, because I have not seen my best friend Judy since last year at the same time and she and her husband will be meeting us in Door County for four days. We always celebrate our birthdays there and I am so looking forward to seeing her.  It will be a nice break and they are lovely resorts. I will post lots of pictures.

 I don't think we will have time to get the house painted (on the inside) or the bedrooms re-carpeted this summer, maybe, would be nice , but I doubt there will be time.

  We are leaving early this year, last of October because we are going to Red Bay to have the carpet taken out in the bedroom and have tile put down in its place before we make our way to Arizona.

Change, it's good right? That's what I keep telling J.


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Life is like a Cup of Coffee

                                                                                     

I ran across this today, this is how I am striving to live my life, striving is the word I use because I often falter. But when I catch myself worrying about how I look, am I too heavy, is my car nice enough, is my house nice enough, etc..... I will now reread this to get my self back on track. I will stop trying to worry about the cup.


Life Is Like a Cup of Coffee

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups – porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite – telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: “If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups have been taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups… And then you began eyeing each other’s cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live.

Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Savor the coffee, not the cups! The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

–author unknown



Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

NO, now it really settled.

As I thought, we were not impressed the park models on the lake. The lots were very small, lots of kids and lots of rednecks. ( not that there is anything wrong with being a redneck), way too many kids.
So it is on to calling the guys that gave us estimates and it will be a remodeling summer! I know it will be frustrating to have guys around all summer tearing up and rebuilding stuff but we both think it the way to go. I am sure I will have many sad stories to tell this summer about the craziness that is remodeling!


Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday Praise

You Are Worthy of My Praise I will worship with all of my might  I will praise You with all of my strength (All my strength) I will seek You all of my days  I will follow all of Your ways (all your ways)
I will give You all my worship I will give You all my praise You alone I long to worship You alone are worthy of my praise

I think this picture is so beautiful, my sister is getting stronger every day, this is her newest grandchild. GOD is so GOOD!

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

So maybe it isn't settled....

While out riding the motorcycle this week J found a spot that just might suit us to park the coach in the summers.

It is called Shadow Lakes. J talked with the realtor and he says it would accommodate our RV. They are having an open house on Sunday so we are going to take a look. I have to say from the pictures of the places on line I am not impressed, but I am going to keep an open mind. It is located on a lake in Wilmington so it would be close to our family.

We have bids on replacing countertops, putting in wood floors, replacing six windows and tearing out the driveway and putting in a new one with room for the RV.

Stay tuned.....

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

It's Settled, I think....

We have decided we are going to stick with the house for a few more years. It is not because we are hoping prices will come back, we don't think they will. The reason we decided to keep the house is we can't find a place where we could park when we come home to spend the summer. I truly believe we will find a solution when the time is right and it is not this summer.
Since we are keeping it I have gotten J ( through much whining, sulking, loud discussions) to agree to do some work on the house. First thing is replace the drive way, we will also make it a little larger so it is easier to park the RV here when we are loading and unloading. Next I am getting bids on new counter tops and floors throughout the house. J and I are "discussing" whether to go with wood or carpet. I am for the wood, he is for carpet. I am trying to get him to compromise with carpet in bedroom, wood for the rest.  Those of you who know us know we don't handle remodeling well, so I am asking you to send us good thoughts, that we make it through this process.






Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday Praise

O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your possessions (Psalm 104: 24 ).

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Deadliest Catch

For our anniversary  Jay gave me a choice of two of my favorite restaurants for our celebration. Fontera Grill or Bob Chin's. I love them both but since it was going to be over 100 the day we went I thought a drive in an air conditioned car and parking next to the front door in Wheeling would be better than trying to find a parking place and walking who knows how many blocks in Chicago. So Bob Chin's it was. As usual it was wonderful and we both ate to much. I thought I would give you a little picture of how it went.

First we ordered Mai Tai's 

Then they brought those wonderful rolls.

I of course had Crab Legs that those poor guys on deadliest catch fish for

and J had his fried oysters and clams

and the highlight of the meal, when J got the bill

Good thing Anniversaries only come once a year, huh sweetie!

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

I love this little girls voice!

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Forty one years today we were married. Wow that is a long time isn't it, seems like just yesterday. I love this dude, more and more every day. I would not be honest without saying there I days I think who is this man, get out of my face, leave me alone! But then I stop and look at him and realize what we have been through together and know he will always be there for me, taking care of me, putting up with me, loving me.  Happy Anniversary sweetie!

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Sunday Praise

1 Corinthians 13

The Greatest Gift

 ¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,^[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.

⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 

¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 

¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Forty six years ago today my sister Louise and her Husband got married
Congratulations ya'll

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

I'm gonna miss her....

I have had quite a few conversations with the men in my family the last few weeks about Oprah.  The guys had a lot of fun, but I think they seriously do not like the lady. And I seriously don't understand why. I have enjoyed her program so much these last six years since I have not been working. I taped it everyday and watched it when I could fit it in. They weren't all great shows, some I just clicked through or watched one section and then deleted. But most of them I learned something, not big earth shattering things, but I almost always learned something that would make my life better, truer, more meaningful. And I for one am going to miss the show.

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

Decisions, decisions.....

I so wish we could come up with a solution to our housing situation, it weighs on me, it keeps me up at night, I feel like we are stuck.   The housing market is even worse this year than last. Do we wait it out? Will the value continue to go down? If we go ahead and dump it at today's prices where are we going to park the RV when we come home for the summer. The one sure thing is we will always come home for the summer. If we don't sell it at todays prices I am insisting that we do some remodeling and oh Good Lord Jay hates that word and really hates that process. What to do, what to do. We have been wrestling with this for the past two years and I am so tired of it. At this point I want to just keep the house, do the remodeling and see what happens next year, Jay is more of a mind to just put off a decision, but no remodeling ( did I mention how he hates that word). We are at an impasse...........

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt