Hello again....

Being rude again.  Not posting and not even saying that fact.  I do apologize.  I was thinking of closing up shop here until February 14th but something keeps niggling at me to just forge ahead.  I'm letting my co-d nature spring forth and spread doubt about myself with thoughts of... who do you think you are/you know nothing/what arrogance for you to want to share your take on life and blahblahblah and etc.etc.etc. 

Of course, we all know, we water and help those thought-seeds of doubt, to bear fruit/flowers that have the internal impact of hemlock/holly berries/poison oak on the system.  Like ingesting poisonous mushrooms.  Thoughts are not just fleeting...they flow, build up residue in our thinking, that snags and builds up negativity, in the form of self doubt, and it becomes like a beaver dam in our head.  Now I admit this will take close examination of these sentences to get a mental picture of what I described! 

So...I decided- no one is forced to read my blog.  I have never held myself up as perfect, in the example phase, of living my life that is permeated with my love of being LDS.  So why not?...just blog and let my co-d nature lose this round.  Onward.

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Remember when you first left home to live on your own?  To be all grown up and make all of your own decisions?  The excitement and challenge, in addition to the confusion and self-doubt?  Feeling ill-prepared on many counts and at the same time totally confident you could master it all.  Slay the dragon with one wield of your sword.  The mix and complexity and the joy and horror of living a mortal life.

My life had settled into years of routine and I felt in charge of the happenings.  Now aging, especially with one-half, not up to par in the equation of available man-power, really changes things up!  I feel like I'm back at square one.  I think there are a lot of back to square one milestones in our life.  Just the flow of family...married or not...that flow ebbs.  Marriage brings the baby and more babies and less sleep and more expenses and all sorts of periphery stuff...like jobs and houses and moving and Church service etc.  With younger years and better health it seems easier to figure out the landscape and pick the best available life-route.

Bored?  Sorry.  This is my reality. (and I seem to have no blog filter in my brain to pretend or act like changes have not occurred and I am not challenged!)  Things have changed.  I am trying to be aware of what I need to do to create, for the two of us, something very familiar and non-foreign.

Housekeeping.  There are those that have NoStandards in that area.  with mold and mess and germs wafting around and pans and dishes and grossness abounds and piles of junk and filth.  I am above the LandFillNoStandards and have settled in with BasicLowStandards!  That means things are picked up off the swept floor, dishes done, laundry done, surfaces clean.  That also means you might open a cupboard and be killed, by the falling whatevers, lurking behind those closed doors.  You might also be afraid of the piles of books and magazines and papers in my office and wonder if an avalanche is pending.  BUT it's all clean trashy (Not to me.  my treasures!)  Did I mention--if the sun is shining a certain way, you might not be able to see through the windows?  BUT if you have to use the toidy, you won't be afraid of germs?  (that's a plus for sure!)

The reason for the LowStandardBasicGoal as the bulls-eye?...  Because I never know when there may be a few days, because of health challenges with Terry, that things don't get touched.  Therefore things remain pretty stable and never look any different.  Things stay the same.  Our life used to be challenged by toys etc. strewn all over.  I find we can keep things strewn even without blaming it on toys and kidlets!  Oh, yes...we can drop things all around with the thought in mind of-- later I'll move that-- and later might mean a long time. 

Meals  I still have my excitement about 2016.   I mentioned meals before and my desire to freeze some things.  There are times with compromised health or exhaustion from broken sleep, or whatever, that you just don't even like the thought of cooking anything!!  I did up the ante and cook in the morning and adapting as I go along.  I've enjoyed that!

I've made several batches of our favorites soups and have frozen them in serving sizes.  They have already come in handy for us and for our son, when he got sick, and Chicken Noodle Soup was the only thing that sounded good.  I had it ready in minutes.  (drumroll!)  I've made Gumbo, Navy Bean, Creamy Chicken Noodle, Chicken Rice with tomato and I can't remember what else.  I'm going to still make Lentil and one more bean soup.  Then spaghetti sauce.  Then a couple of casseroles-to freeze and cook later.  Now I did that in my LowStandardHousekeeping without guilt.  I felt no pull to up the standard before I pulled out my soup pot!

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I did freeze one other thing.  Using our son's Food Processor (ours was to small) I made pie crust and froze the discs.  I got carried away and made 9 crusts.  I felt pretty smug as this was for those times when someone needed something and I could easily whip out a pie!  My Pie-making is no longer talked about in hushed tones at any dinners, with awe oh, that is one of her pies.  I hope I get a piece.  I'm not even thought of with all of the women that easily whip out pie after pie and everyone is saying to them...oh, I hope you brought a pie tonight!  they are so delicious!  No.  that isn't my life.

My reasoning was...again...simplify to where I can still live my life and still do the tending to health stuff!  I figured that I could have the pie crusts ready and I bought several cans of pumpkin and I do know how to make great chocolate pie and banana pie and even coconut pie.  WELL, I used to know how to whip up a cream pie but anyhow that was my plan.  I also purchased some pie-tins at the Dollar Store so no one would have to bother returning tins!  Everything in place!!!  Yes!!

Plan in place.  Discs frozen in readiness.  The RSP sends a blanket note that our Ward is feeding the Yakima Mission at a Zone Conference and she needs 5 more pies!!  Be still my heart!!  So I send an I can help note.  So she needs two pies.  Bliss.  I roll out the dough.  Prepare the pumpkin.  pour it in.  Lots of pumpkin filling left!  The pie tins were not deep dish!!  They are already in over when it dawns on me.  So I bake them and go to check them and they have split in a full circle and you can see how dry the pumpkin is!!  I decide that missionaries will eat anything so opt for the RSP to spray whipped cream all over them before serving.  I took the extra pie filling and made another thin pie.  Terry took a pinch of filling, while waiting for it to cool, and pronounced, like some Chopped judge...Nancy!  This has no sugar!  You forgot the SUGAR!! 

The RSP had already commented on the pie's appearance--Crater Lake!  She agreed to put whipped cream on.  Later I emailed her and said...Terry said he doesn't want me to mention that he thinks the pies are horrible so I won't tell you that.  I forgot the sugar.  Just throw them away.

Did she or not?  I don't know.  I do know that someone else in the Ward, a real piemaker, had sent the Missionaries over to the RSP house with 4 pies.  You know- one of those good deed doers that just wanted to help out and gave pies without being asked and all of that righteous doing that I envy.  Bless her heart!

(I asked the RSP today if she threw them out on Thursday and she reluctantly told me she did...now you know the end of that tale!)

So I'm totally in on making my life more manageable...LowStandardHousekeeping and freezing soup and sauces and casseroles BUT the jury is out on the gifting of pies.  I'm thinking folks might feel better without receiving one.  Still figuring that one out.

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Next on my list of trying to super simplify my/our life is the yard!

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If it's to be it's up to me.  If not now...when?  If not me...who?  (a part of my creed that is being put to the test!)  I want my sweetie to feel at ease and not guilty as I try to rearrange our life! so all of this is a challenge!

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In that first melodramatic paragraph...I mentioned mushrooms.  Here is a mushroom from my childhood.  We had so much fun smashing these with our shoes and watching the greenish cloud come out.  a PuffBall.  Poison.  Just like all of life...we have things that can do us in and stinkin' thinkin' can, at the very least, do some polluting but if tended to full growth, thoughts become poison.

Alaska Poisonous Puffball Mushroom

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This talk is so incredible!   IF I had children at home...I'd read this and section it up and teach what he talked about.  It is just great!  I think you could even simplify it for younger children. 

Elder Ted R. Callister- CES Devotional --What is the Blueprint of Christ's Church?   here

Me...being brave...

On most things of life, things that life throws on you, those trials and tests and etc.....I figure out how to deal with it.  Today I faced something that is sheer terror for me...a Dentist!!!   Technically I didn't face a dentist.  not yet.  I made an appointment!!!  This is a huge step for me.

Dental care in my younger life seemed to border on mouth abuse.  Metal Hypodermic needles that felt ice cold on your lip/cheek as a needle, big as a wooden matchstick, punctured your flesh with a pop!!  dreadful!!!  The drill was a huge hanging metal device that whirred like a buzz saw with chain saw noise.  Dreadful smells emitting.  Instruments were like chisels that felt like it was creating a tombstone name on cement.   2 times I fainted.  I about had a nervous breakdown just thinking of it!! 

Remember when they knocked me out to pull those teeth a couple of years ago?  I found a friend that is a terrified as me and she found a dentist that will do that even if he's filling teeth.  (angel chorus in the background!!!)  I can even take Rx and nitrous (don't think I'll be laughing though) and that is probably what I'll go with.

Hopefully tomorrow they will confirm my appointment.  I only had nerve to fill in a request on their website!  Not actually talk to someone!

I'm like the cowardly lion in the Wizard of Oz!!!

(of course I pray!  exercise faith!  you doubted?  this is as good as it is right now!)

I think I need some medical attention beyond my teeth.  So I'm gearing up for putting myself through all that sort of stuff!  one thing at a time!!!

The heavens are open...

and I know they are opened but the way this doctrine is presented is so succinct.  About revelation in our time...our day...for us.  I doctored it up with the bold print and underlining.  All of this is a part of the restoration and as I said, I really enjoyed the way he presented it.  I hope you do also!

Brethren, four great statements I leave with you to ponder.

First, the words of God the Eternal Father, “This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” [JS—H 1:17] Not 2,000 years ago, but in our time.

Next, the memorable words of John the Baptist who declared with authority: “Upon you my fellow servants, in the name of Messiah I confer the Priesthood of Aaron …” (D&C 13) in our day.

Third, the Savior’s statement about: “Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you …” (D&C 27:12) happening in our time of the world’s history. 

And fourth, from Kirtland, as recorded by the Prophet Joseph: “We saw the Lord standing upon the breastwork of the pulpit, before us; and under his feet was a paved work of pure gold, in color like amber.” (D&C 110:2.)

Indeed, fellow priesthood holders, these statements are not the idle words of men. We live in a remarkable time. The Lord has spoken in our day.

(quotes from Robert L. Simpson  1973 CR talk

Strolling along...

I don't understand the "how" of the working of the Spirit.  Meaning...how it works...how you can feel in a downward way emotionally and then a thought pops into your mind, in the form of a scripture or a hymn or a Conference talk paragraph, and suddenly you feel peace just seep through your being. 

I know sometimes when you speak of what you want to do or are going to do or the likes, it seems that it suddenly is more difficult on so many levels.  Like me with all of my 2016 enthusiasm.  I know I'm on the right track thought-wise but suddenly just this little co-dependent thought sneaks in.  And just who do you think you are?....you are this and that and don't forget this and don't forget that...all negative thoughts.

Thank heavens for the Holy Ghost.  He who brings all things to our remembrance and that remembering includes the good things we've read/heard/seen/sung etc. etc.

Feeling that bluesy feeling, and how strange to feel azure-y, in the midst of doing what I set out to do.  Actually accomplishing what I wanted in beginning to move ahead in 2016.

What a blessing to awaken with a hymn lyric running through my head.  I came back here and looked it up.  Then a scripture popped into my mind.  It was at that moment of gratitude that I was thankful that I had something in my head that could be brought to my remembrance.  Words that were a special message to me.  Words/lyrics that gave me hope and insight plus a lot of peace was breathed in and a settling occurred.

Again...who knows how any of this works?  I only know it does and I love the Gift of the Holy Ghost.  I hope to live better and better and to receive more and more light from Him.  More instruction.

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When Terry and I were looking at our daily Conference talk from 1973 I was brought back in time to the men in pastel shirts.  It was a sea of color at the Priesthood meeting.  It is so interesting to see how things have changed over the years and how hard those men labored in helping the Church to deal with growth.  So many of these talks deal with implementing either new plans.  Now those new plans, on some things, aren't even used anymore.

One recent talk dealt was encouraging the members to have a one year, or more, of food on hand with emphasis on wheat and beans.  Now we are suppose to have a 3 month supply on hand and that is if the country you live in will allow it.

It was mentioned that the Bishop's Storehouse only had commodities for 8-1/2 months on hand and not the year supply they wanted.  They needed one year on hand to feed the poor in the Church.  They needed more support.  Now we have Bishop's storehouses all over plus we have vans of food at the ready to help those devastated by calamities throughout the world.  Members and non-members.

When we listened to Vaughan J. Featherstone talk...I really wondered what the unnamed Stake President thought as his story was told!!

"Now there are some principles we also need to understand. One is this: when stake presidents and bishops contribute to the general committee from your projects, would you consider that we must have the very best. For example, we had one stake president in a nearby stake who the central storehouse called and said, “We need a few head of cattle.” The wholesale index that the Church was working on was a little under that which represented the present market. He said, “No, we won’t furnish you the cattle. We will sell them and then we will give you the cash in lieu,” which he did. They gave us the cash in lieu, brethren. We had to go out on the wholesale market and buy dressed beef at an up price. Now you think about that. It is all the Lord’s money. I don’t believe he would be pleased with that kind of a transaction. I wouldn’t want to offend anyone. I just think we ought to give the best we have to the Lord’s storehouse."

Yikes!  I wonder how that Stake President felt??

It's a great talk and he said something, in regard to fasting that I really enjoyed.  One of those IF/Then
situations.  Thought you'd enjoy his take on the one part about promises for fasting..

"Then if you do this, he promises this: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. (Isa. 58:6–9.)

"Now brethren, if I gave to a fast offering fund or contributed to a welfare production project, I want to tell you that if I did it for no other reason than to know that when I would cry the Lord would say, “Here I am,” that would be motivation enough."

Vaughn J. Featherstone  here   (Enjoy the entire talk!!)

Agree!

President Henry D. Moyle has said, “The older I get and the closer contact I have with the President of the Church, the more I realize that the greatest of all scripture which we have in the world today is current scripture. What the mouthpiece of God says to his children is scripture. It is his word and his will and his law made manifest through scripture, and I love it more than all other.” (BYU tri-stake fireside, January 1963.)  This is a quote from  A. Theodore Tuttle 1973      here

Gifts...

Sacrament talks were centered around service.  Most service mentioned is visible.  I'm fascinated with service that is invisible except to the recipient.  I was talking to my Laurels about the Holy Ghost and found this great quote.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 

“Let us review some of these less-conspicuous gifts: the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repetition; the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of being a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony; and the gift of receiving the Holy Ghost.”

Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915–94) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “‘There Are Many Gifts,’” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20.

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Life is picking up around here and I'm enjoying feeling more in control of my time.  I have so much that I want to do!!!  and things that I need to do!  I'm moving as fast as I can but it feels like slow motion!!  Sort of like a train gathering speed and just puffing along the track and seeing the steep hill ahead.  I think I can...I think I can.

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Did you listen to Elder Nelson and his wife speak at the World Wide Devotional?  Both talks were just so great!  I like hearing from the wives' of the Apostles.  It's rare that we get to hear them as they usually speak at trainings in other countries.  If you are "desperate" and want spiritual help to find answers to that desperation...she gives a challenge with a promise.  It's on LDS.org.  right on the page.  Listen and see and hear her speak.   Aren't we all desperate about something???  I've never done a challenge like this before.  Read it and tell me if you have.  Hey!  I'll put the link here for you!
Nice me, huh?

World Wide Devotional

To think about...

This was cited in the Conference talk we listened to this morning... so thought provoking!!

"Which Way to Shore?"  by William H. Bennet (October 1973)

Longfellow, in his poem, “Psalm of Life,” which is one of my favorites. I should like to repeat part of that at this time:

Trust no Future, howe’er pleasant!

Let the dead Past bury its dead!

Act, act in the living Present!

Heart within, and God o’erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime,

And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time.

Footprints, that perhaps another,

Sailing o’er life’s solemn main,

A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,

Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us then be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait.

Laundry dry and folded!

A week or so with no dryer and am so thankful that it is fixed.  double thankful that Terry was able to do it himself!  Everyday I am so thankful, so grateful, for the simple things in my life that make me feel so blessed and secure.  I am thankful for the basics...like a working dryer.

I am also thankful for LDS.org and the access to such beautiful material on so many subjects.  Shannon showed a video on Sunday to the YW and it was so touching.  About the young man with his hatchet and using it and forgetting to take the cover off of it.  Such a great message!

I thought of him today when Terry and I listened to Elder McConkie.  Elder Packard's son was the one who told the story about his hatchet.  Both of these men were concerned about nepotism when they received their calls.  Elder McConkie was married to the Prophets daughter!  President Joseph Fielding Smith was his father-in-law!  Both were reassured that it was the Lords call and His will.  As I've read about Church leaders, there are some lines, that produce a lot of leadership strength in the Church.

When Elder McConkie was giving his talk...I again felt thankful.  Thankful that I could experience the feeling of knowing that what he was saying was true.  I'm grateful for emotions and feelings that are sometimes overwhelming...both sad and joyous. 

As I absorb life experiences, embark on what I need to do to survive and move ahead, I feel thankful for heavenly help.

I'm grateful for things that others might find silly...3 batches of soup- Gumbo/Chicken Noodle/Navy Bean- all packaged and frozen in serving sizes.  My early morning cooking plan is pleasurable on all counts.

This will be wonderful when needs arise, whatever they are, for us to eat them or me to share them.  They will come in handy when I go see my sister.

Dixie called after her Dr. appointment today.  They have her oxygen on 12 and have increased her steroids in hopes of helping her breathe with more ease.  She has lost 40 pounds, even with the steroid use.  The Dr. told her that he would not tell her when she needs to go on hospice as she will know.  She agreed with him that she felt she would know.  Right now she is happy for a bit of daytime freedom to be alone and just enjoy her home and her routine.  She is able again to do her laundry and cook a little bit.  She does rest a lot and watch her shopping networks.

One thing she got done today was to have her Dr. sign her P.O.S.T. plan.  POST -- I thought having a Living Will and also DNR posted and signed was enough but she says it's not.  At least in Idaho.  You can get the form...from your Dr. or a hospital.  Again...in Idaho anyhow.  POST.  Physicians Order Scope of Treatment    You are suppose to post the POST.  Carry in your purse. Etc. etc.  Wonder if that is necessary in Washington? 

She was leaving the Dr.'s office and told her friend Linda that she wanted to buy a lottery ticket!  Linda wouldn't go in.  Dixie walked in...masked for germs and carrying oxygen and using the oxygen.  She said people parted and let her get right up to the front.  She thanked them and told them she hoped she wouldn't die before the drawing!

We have planned our next sister trip for April 21.  well, a staycation for sure, but still we will have fun.  She and I talked about me coming over sooner.  So when the roads clear, I'll go see her.

(Natalie- she wants you to know she appreciates your mail but she can't send a thank you note.)

1st time for trying to fix dryer and explaining to me the happenings.

2nd time of attempt and it worked!

my teeny "laundry room".  I love it.  does the job great!

delicious treat that looks dreadful in my photography!  a gift!

Ye Olde Soup Pots.  Chicken Noodle.  Navy Beans (yes.  with hamhock!)

new recipe for hominy.  red bell peppers & onions and more.  good enough to make again.

Life goes on...

A few days ago my dryer stopped working!  No heat!!  Terry finally got the oomph to pull it out, take the back off, check it and fix it.  Rejoicing all around.  Well, rejoicing for 10 minutes.  So a couple of more days and he again went through the entire routine!  Bless his heart.  Tomorrow I'm getting the part he needs in Yakima and he will fix it. 

And I then hope to report that all of the laundry is caught up...washed, dried and put away.  We can dry clothes at our son's if we want.  If it was summer I'd hang them on the line!  Heavenly scent!

Terry is the best trouble shooter on fixing mechanical things I've ever seen.  When he was working, people could not believe that he was able to work on all brands of heavy duty equipment.  He was valuable in his trade.  This is hard on him to not have that strength he once had. I even dared suggest that we ask for help or even mentioned maybe we needed to buy a new one.  (that idea about put him in cardiac arrest!)  He's still got duct tape on his roll!

Photos #3 of 3...

Decided to push the edge of the envelope, on computer still holding up, and post some more pictures, to get me up to date, on Jeanee's visit.

First though...I'm enjoying the New Year and my New Year plan.  The FoodPlan, of cooking first thing in the morning, has worked out fantastic for the entire year!  All 10 days!  I love having it all done and can just relax when dinner time rolls around.  (My Mother always called us for Supper.  What year did I start eating Dinner?!)  Tomatoes/Tuh-mah-tuhs.  It all comes out in the wash!  Same thing! 

This week I'm going to focus on the 2nd part of my goal.  Some foods in the freezer...for us and others.  When my friend, Julianna, unexpectedly suffered the loss of her Mother, I really wanted to call her and say...I've got dinner covered.  Would love to bring it over.  I even thought of calling her and telling her...When you get back from California, on the 5th, I'll have dinner for you when you arrive home.  Neither of those thoughts became a reality!  This incident fits in with me trying to pick things up a notch and carrying out the ideas that come to me on sharing foodstuffs!!  Ideas that are prompted? 

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.  James 4:17

Well, that's a fine kettle of fish, isn't it??  Will casseroles unshared, because they are not yet made/cooked, keep me in the lower echelons of Glories?

I think it was easier to share food when I had my family at home.  I was cooking large amounts or something. 

anyhow...no excuses.  that is a part of my FoodPlan ...be in readiness to succor the starving.  Okay.  Way to dramatic.  Just share because it seems like a good idea and I want to be prepared.  At all times.

Some women just cook like it's no big deal.  somewhere with aging (my only admission to any feelings of aging!) it's a BIG deal!  Overwhelming at times!!!

I am loving my first thing in the morning cooking dinner AND getting ready to be on call for sharing!

This is probably way to long already but I'm still going to post pictures.  (Anyhow I hope so!)

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Jeanee and Kipper wanted to paint for us.  and paint they did.  Kipper did some repairs and helped with taping and did some of the painting but Jeanee did most of it.  It felt fresh and nice when it was done.  didn't really look different as I chose the same color but it looked clean plus we had the furniture cleaned and carpet.  A nice start to spiffing things up!

Kipper mending caulking

Jeanee taping

Terry dealing with not being able to do it himself!

I love that she wore a winter scarf!!

lots of prep work beforehand!!

Remember when David screwed the area rug down (unbeknownst to us) so his Dad wouldn't fall?

The screw is now gone.  She is letting us know...she wants a drill of her own!  In pink.

tiny but mighty!

this guy is hilarious when he gets going!!!

bare-headed

Her Dad's t-shirt.  looking like a nun.

a white dish towel!

hanging blinds

She cooked her spaghetti at her Dad's request.  love the mish-mash table setting! 

writing love letter to her Aunt Dixie to go in the recipe book we sent her.

feeling her Dad's warmth and love and...

listening to his endless stories!

only picture I got of the two of them...

and the two of them, also!

Pictures...#2

Going to see if I can post a few more pictures.  Most of these are the time frame when Jeanee flew in from FL in November and we drove to ID to see Dixie. 

Dixie was really in need of some renewal and we partied and had fun!  You can see her grow in wellness in these pictures.  She and I always take a sister trip and we travel and shop and eat at different restaurants.  So we had an in-house/staycation sister trip with my precious Jeanee, adding extra love/kindness/joy and everything good.  Each day we would either cook (well, Jeanee did!) or we'd order out.  so you will see lots of foodie pictures!  Dixie spent a lot of time resting/sleeping/healing and Jeanee and I would quietly read.  She brought a huge book, #one of a trilogy on Van Gogh, so she'd read that or nap herself.

Hopefully you will now see pictures below!

reading gift card and enjoying sentiments!

Artichoke day!  They are fans.  I'm not!  Their meal!

These two!!

cooking her original spaghetti.  Aunt requested as it's her all-time favorite recipe!

Van Gogh.  So heavy she propped it on pillow!  see oxygen tanks in background?

more of Mr. Van Gogh!

Sea food for our Alaskan night!

Shhhh.  ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

reminiscing and laughing!

order out for pick-up.  Note blue curlers in Dixie's hair.  sign of wellness!!

Van Gogh.  She is savoring it and enjoying every word!

Jeanee watching oxygen while hairdresser cuts Dixie's hair.

hairdresser came to house.  Dixie checking oxygen level on finger.  real healing going on here!

some special herbal tea that they both love!  look at Dixie's face!  healing!

celebrating that she curled her hair for the first time.  she loves to fix her hair.  major healing here!

courage for me to take a picture but here we are.

her full make-up.  and her hoop earrings.  Healthy really happening!!

enjoying visiting!!

I was stunned at the progress she made in those few days.  The memories continue bringing her joy even though her health is still in peril.

At one time women carried lipstick holders that had a little mirror attached and you could flip it up and apply your lipstick.  She has one of those.  one day I looked over at her reclining in her chair and she was checking her hair and putting on lipstick.  I just loved that picture it presented and grabbed my camera and she scolded me...that looks so vain of me!  don't you dare take a picture!!  I wish I had not listened to her!!

She is beautiful and has cared about her appearance (and the more bling the better!) since she was a young girl.  She was such a classy dresser during her professional life!  gorgeous!  She frets over me and wants me to be more like her.  Glamorous and shiny jeweled.  I do need to pick it up a notch but I'm staying me.  There is only room for one of her in the world and she has earned it!!  (I do have some better care of self on my 2016 list.  More on that later!  Dixie will be proud of me...going to have my ears re-pierced as they grew back due to lack of use!)

Love my Sister!

Some Pictures...#1

Hopefully this will work!  Crossing my fingers that I can again post pictures!  This will be an assortment.  A real mixed bag but maybe I can get current.  I'll try not to be to obnoxious and overwhelm the computer process or you, the reader.  Here goes!  (hope. hope. hope.)

I did the ones below and now I can't do it again!!!

Jeanee the beater licker!

Her Pumpkin bread that she wanted to gift to friends.

Not all made it to the friends!

Christmas gift!  feasting!

Guess who baked a farewell batch of cinnamon rolls???

He wasn't super happy with the way they turned out but his HT families were!

No tree!

Love snow yard!!

Christmas decorations!  not really us!

My friend Sam from Germany!  He came by a couple of times.  so enjoyed visiting.

This seems rather unfortunate to me! Not like a real fortune cookie forecast should be!