MAKING EASTER COOKIES WITH GRANDMA

MAKING EASTER COOKIES WITH GRANDMA.......

Cookies are fun anytime of the year..........but homemade Easter cookies with your granddaughter seem to taste even better..............*** Mama's cut out cookies on my recipe sidebar
Sweetest girl and I decided to make some cookies together today....The weather was so warm and beautiful outside and us girls were having "fun" inside........I just LOVE being a grandma and having God allow me to bake with my granddaughter........
She had so much fun mixing the butter and sugar together but then I had to make a quick run into the other room and when I came back she had stirred "ALOT" and had flour and such sprinkled all over the counters; the floor and chair....But you know what that was OK because
thats what happens when your baking with a little one....We just went on our way to the next step...dusting as much flour as possible into the wastecan beside us.....
She was determined and doing so well........I had put a 1940's apron on her and just smiled as I saw it dwiddle down down her waist...........
Fresh eggs; flour ; sugar; margarine..............all good together
She "LOVED" using the sifter. ....round and round she turned the handle as we watched the flour sift neatly into the bowl.............


Little hands are so precious to God............God is so precious to us!
Grandma may I have some dough to roll out??? I gave her a piece to roll; dust with flour; and cut out her cookie..............
I couldnt find my box of Spring cut outs and looked everywhere so plan B..........we used a round glass and then I squeezed them slightly together to make them oval like an Egg.....
Oh..........I just had to try one ..........It is so yummy!
Grandpa came by and I offered him a bite...........I love my Papa!

EARLY MORNINGS.................

EARLY MORNINGS.................

EARLY MORNINGS......


I have thoroughly loved our "Spring mornings" as the season has begun a change....
I like to get up early in the morning. I enjoy the quietness of the day and the still of
the morning. I enjoy making the coffee and listening as it begins to flow and then smell
that sweet moment when it says its done .....grabbing my favorite coffee cup and settling
in the corner of my sofa looking out my large picture window waiting...waiting...waiting..
for the "Sun" to come up so brightly in the sky.

These mornings I have even begun to hear the sounds of the birds returning and the ducks as they fly in formation over the house and make their morning sounds "quacking" swooping down into a nearby pond....

I then...take my Bible in hand and turn to the verses for the day in my little devotion book given by our church in January. I read; ponder; read and listen....and try to underline or write down a verse for me to think on.....

By then; my hubby is up and getting ready. I take him coffee and we sit for a few moments if possible and take in the days events....... Breakfast to ready. Oatmeal with blueberry's; a yogurt perhaps; or maybe some simple eggs and turkey sausage and whole wheat toast.

He leaves on his way....my day begins and my morning melts away into midday........Where did it go??? I go on with everyday events and life itself.............Then as if the same sunshine that beamed into that window in the morning I am starting supper and looking out the back window..
and I notice again...........That beautiful morning God gave to me is now on its way out.....a Beautiful Spring Sunset with all the pinks; hues of yellow; and browns are setting in the West...

As....I grow older I dont want to forget those precious mornings...........I want to remember the days of promise. The days of goodness. The days of thanksgiving.

Its so easy I guess for all of us to turn on the news. Read the morning headlines via the paper or computer and become so easily discouraged with that morning. In fact, it can ruin a whole day as others we meet begin to grumble and complain about all thats wrong in our world.

Take a fresh morning.........Breathe it in! Remember all the good mornings God has given to you and enjoy!!

A LIFE LIVED FOR OTHERS IS A BUSY LIFE

A LIFE LIVED FOR OTHERS IS A BUSY LIFE....

IT JUST SEEMS THAT A LIFE "LIVED FOR
OTHERS" IS A BUSY LIFE..........
SOMETIMES IT MAY BE THAT PHONE CALL
TO HELP MAKE PART OF A MEAL FOR A
FUNERAL. IT MAY BE A LADY WITH A NEW
BABY; OR SOMEONE WHO IS ILL; OR JUST
SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO KNOW YOU CARE....
DOESN'T A WARM CHERRY PIE SEEM TO
COMFORT US???
TIME OUT TO ENJOY THE SUNSHINE WITH
THOSE WE LOVE.....
"OH GRANDMA I JUST HAVE TO HAVE MY
SUNGLASSES!!"..........
I LOVE TO BE ABLE TO CARE FOR OTHERS
BUT IN THE BUSYNESS OF LIFE AND WITH
MY MIND ( AGE I THINK HA) I CAN EASILY
FORGET. MY DAUGHTER BOUGHT ME
THIS SWEET LITTLE BOOK TO KEEP CARDS
AND APPOINTMENTS.....
I LOVE TO KEEP THINGS IN ORDER AS
MUCH AS I CAN. HERE IS A PAGE FROM
THE MONTH OF MAY. THE POCKET IS
TO KEEP CARDS AND NOTES.
SHE ALSO FOUND THIS NICE "CARD
MAKING SET" BECAUSE SHE KNOWS
I ENJOY IT.........WHAT A SURPRISE
THESE WERE BOTH FROM VERA BRADLEY
I WILL ENJOY PUTTING THESE TOGETHER
AND GIVING THEM TO SOMEONE........
I ORGANIZED MY OWN LITTLE "CRAFT
CARD" CORNER.......... I PUT MY PAPERS
IN THIS NICE BOX GIVEN BY MY SISTER
PHYLLIS THIS PAST CHRISTMAS.
IT ALL FITS NICELY WITH PAPERS; CARDS;
RIBBONS; AND SCISSORS........
THE SMALL BOX WITH DRAWERS FIT MY
GLUE; SPARKLING GLUES; CLEAR WORDS;
TRINKETS; AND SUCH.............
I THEN CAN PULL IT OUT EASILY AND
DO MY WORK AND THEN PUT IT BACK
IN ONE PLACE..........IN MY HUTCH

I grew up in a large family. We always seem to be busy at home doing the normal things such as going to school; keeping up with our own room; doing the dishes with my sister; working outside in our garden or helping with the trim of the lawn with our dad. We just kept busy.

My mom always seem to keep up with the house; the meals; the laundry; and doing things
with all of her children. My mom also was kind to our neighbors and all the neighbors seem to enjoy my parents. A neighbor might bring a lawnmower over to have my dad "take a look at it" and he would and usually always fixed the problem. This would happen time after time.
My dad took pride in our lawn and the flowers and garden. He worked hard at his job and our yard. The neighbors I think enjoyed all his labor.

All the young neighborhood children would seem to come to our back door. I would see my mom handing our ice cold lemonade in the summertime and bending down to button a sweater of a young child in the cool weather of the fall. Since we had 6 children and I was in the bottom two the older sisters would bring in their families during the holidays. The house was filled with laughing; food; the clatter of dishes; and the hugs and kisses goodbye.

Its not always easy to live for others. It takes time. It can take your time. It can take some of your hard earned money. It can be joyful or sometimes it can be heartbreaking. But............ life is about relationships and people. Its what makes up part of our lives. It builds us.
It makes memories sometimes we will never forget............

I am so blessed that I am loved and cared for by others around me. I remember when our son Joshua and daughter in law made a beautiful video for us to enjoy featuring our son and daughter in law singing a beautiful song they sang in church ona Sunday night. It blessed my husband and my heart......
My husband took me to lunch; my daughter bought me these special little gifts; and my other daughter bought me my favorite "gummy bears". What else could one want or need?

I pray you find someone you can bake a pie for and be blessed................

SPRING CLEANING.....GUEST ARE COMING

SPRING CLEANING.....GUESTS ARE COMING

ITS "SPRING CLEANING' ALL THROUGH
THE HOUSE....GUESTS ARE COMING
SO I WANT THINGS TO BE FRESH AND CLEAN..
HAVING THINGS IN ORDER JUST SEEMS
TO MAKE THINGS GO A LITTLE SMOOTHER....


I have been taking the last few weeks to clean; mop; scrub down; get in the corners sweep; change linens; scrub that bathroom from top to bottom; bring out lighter and brighter items; and add freshness to my home.

This is not always our favorite thing to do nor sometimes does anyone ever even notice the deeds done ...but if its part of my life then I am in charge of making sure it is done right.

Here are some things I did to ready for guests:

. The Bathroom: Scrubbed down from top to bottom. I begin with the tub. I scrub it thoroughly ( not just a shower spray) that never really seems to work for the nitty gritty.... ; take any bottles; extra soap; scrubbies all go into a basket for my own use and place it under a sink or in a closet; ( clear it all out); I scrub down the tiles ; soap dish area; and then rinse and dry making sure the fixtures are sparkling and clean...

. Next... is the toilet. I squirt the toilet bowl cleaner in and swish it all around and up and under
the rim. I then take a cleaner and wipe down all the seat; back of the seat and those little hinges;
the back of the toilet top; under the toilet all around including the back nobody sees but the dirt is back there (ha); and the sides where the little round fixtures hold it to the floor. Then... a quick swipe all around the floor area and corners in the back of the toilet.

. Next the sink and the little ledge above the sink; the mirrors and the lighting fixtures ( if any) above the mirrors; the counters all get a clean wipe down and then a polish for the fixtures to
glistening silver......

.Next, the floor. You may take a quick swiffer but sometimes I have to just get down on the old hands and knees and wipe it down to get in those little corners and spills on walls.

. Last....Fresh clean towels that look pretty. A little soap dispenser for hands to be washed.
And.......( my sister taught me this... a pretty hand towel to lie folded next to the sink for the guest to wipe down their hands)... She always had this in pretty lime greens and whites in her
guest bath.........

. Bedrooms : I make sure all carpets or floors are swept and clean. Under the bed is tidy. ( yes this is a great time to do it ha).

. The linens are fresh and clean and non wrinkled. If I have time I press the pillowcases. ( I know I know that is abit much but this is a a little luxery I do for my own bedroom and it makes things
so nice).

. I place a basket or little bag ( this time I am using a bag) with extra goodies in it such as toothpaste; mints; snacks; Kleenex; snack bars) to use while they are here. I might set some bottles of water also on a nearby nightstand. I may add some fresh flowers in a vase.

. I may make some muffins and leave them in my glass cake dish for them if they wish to have a snack or a quick breakfast to go.........

. I make sure the rest of my home is neat and tidy and de-cluttered.

. Floors swept ( that is a constant for me for we have our two adorable Springer Spaniels) ha; and mopped.

. Kitchen decluttered on the counters and clean and fresh.

. Refrigerator cleaned out and smelling fresh.

. Coffeepot clean and ready for use.

. The yard; porch and any area that will be used clean and tidy.

*** *** Most of all my spirit or attitude. I dont want to have a clean home and a bad spirit fussing at my husband or children because they didnt do their part.... I do not want to be exhausted trying to impress others and unavailable for my family........ I do not want to keep my home clean only for company...........So what do I do??? I do it unto Him! I want to my best ; not always perfect but my best
for God.
I really TRY and do this all the time for my family.

But........when guest are coming it can motivate you to push a little harder and the good thing is that it helps you to end up with a fresh and clean home that you are happy with!!

*******God gives me my home. No matter how humble a place in which you live ; your abode can be used to renew or refresh another ..........

I LOVE MONDAYS.........COME SIT AT MY TABLE

I love Mondays.............because they are the start of a new beginning and a new week....

I have a week full of busy things . Things that are good but that can turn sour if I let them...
I am thinking about emotions......I am just full of them. I dont know if its because I am a woman; over 50 or because I love deeply; care much; and sometimes am bursting with thankfulness.

But........all that can turn sour quickly because the garbage disposal breaks down causing the dishwasher to stop washing; someone says something unkind ( and they dont even know it) towards you; your physical body is overdone ; your overweight; overtired...........

I can say things; think things; worry; complain; feel sad; drift; become anxious; or many other things all within an hour! What can we do??? Life goes on and comes with good times and times when things happen.......

I love that our pastor taught us to take it to the cross....take it to Jesus. He is there with His hand to lift you up. He can take care of situations better than we ever could.....He will never leave thee or forsake thee...........He is my best friend.........

Come sit at my table...........and enjoy a glass of ice cold tea! Take all the worries of yesterday and
learn from them and then let them go.........Laugh! Take the day God has given and thank Him
for small things......Dont take things so seriously.......After all it is life! Forgive; love; and concentrate on things that are good.............

I can start off in the morning saying I can walk; I am married to a hard working man; I have a nice home in which to live; I have adult children that love me and I love; I have sweet little grands; we have food to eat; I had a mom and dad that lived into their 90"s .......and the list
could go on and on.............

I pray when these times come........and they will everyday........I can STOP and pause and thank Him for even these times and start again walking step by step.

GIRLS DAY OUT...............WITH THE GRANDS

The weather turned warm here for the first time .........I just am blessed by the Springtime God gives and the warm breezes He brings along even if only for one day.........

My daughter and I decided to take her and my granddaughters out for a "Girls Day Out"
We took off for a little "resale shop" in town....this way we had carts to use and they could pick out a "treat item" as well.....My daughter found a nice Spring jacket for one; a beautiful skirt; and two tops for Spring Summer for herself; and a cute Easter Bunny purse for one grand girl to
get for Easter filled with some goodies.....I found a nice book to read for a few cents...

Off we went to get "nuggets" ( I know they are not as healthy as we need) but its the fun of the day........McDonald was on the menu...........We took bags in hand on to the park where we ate
giggled and got tummies full! Then on to Swinging..........running........swinging again..........down the slide..........until they couldnt run anymore.......( Baby K just enjoyed the warm breezes while grandma held her in her arms most of the time)..............

Then on to the grocery store ......A cart for little ones to push........One for mommies and grandmas.........picking up bananas; hamburg for the grill; fresh asparagus; and salad..........
for supper...............

What a fun day out ..........Simple memories that mean the world!!!!

*** Happy Birthday today to our son Josh who turns 30! I am so proud of him and Jenny.
We love him and see how he has taken his life and turned it for his family and for others and for God.........You make us proud; you make us laugh; you brought us joy! Happy Birthday!

SAVING MONEY EVERYDAY..........

Saving money has become a normal thing for me to do. My mom did it (she lived during the Great Depression) when they learned to live with what they had.

Our children never thought we didnt have "money" or if we did. We just did our best. We worked hard and saved where we could. We had dinners on the table; went to a Christian school; youth activities and other events. My children worked and paid their way through college.
It just was what we did. No one felt bad about it . We were a team and worked together for the family.....

What are some of the ways we worked on this?

. Dont compare yourself with others. Have the happiest home on the block....Give your best!

. Dont over worry yourself if you have times of feast or famine. Use the same "Plan" and pinch and save.....

. Save with food. Learn to make great dishes with beans; less meat; whole chickens. I have to admit I have done this and then gone back to buying only chicken breast. Do what you can and make it delish!

. Save with furnishings. Bring flowers; pretty quilts; tablecoverings into your home to warm.
I know a lady who didnt have any money for a garden but she researched many sites on the internet and found some FREE plants and seeds for a small garden....

. Save with medical care. Research and educate yourself on what you need and how to provide it for your family.

. Save on clothing and personal care. Sew; thrift stores can help provide on these. Be update and current and help your children to look their best......
Learn to color your hair if needed. You can go get a good haircut for a little money or pay abit more and it may last longer.
Make up; samples of fine perfumes .....can all be found if you look.

. Have a budget. Have a plan then the next time the finances take a "dip" you can take the challenge and have fun saving money everyday.

I LOVE MONDAYS..........MOVING FORWARD

I always seem to enjoy Mondays because "something" was given to me on Sundays......

It seems God always knows are needs that run deep inside...........and when you hear a sermon preached you may think it is all about one thing and it turns out to be just what you needed.
I have heard others say " this is just what I needed"..........I think that it is just what God wanted to give to you...........

I will not go through all I heard for I do not think I could do it justice but basically when you
wonder Why you are going through a situation..............we are to

. Remember where we came from and all that God has led us through

. Review the past and know that "He will never leave thee or forsake thee".......otherwise know that He is there with you now......

. And........move forward........even if you fear; doubt; get discouraged.........MOVE FORWARD

Life is life and good and bad things happen to good people.....We can STOP and fear and wonder and worry about what is next or we can remember how God has been merciful to me and
take one step at a time and move forward...........

I watch my granddaughter try to crawl. She has been on her little tummy ; then pushing up hard with her little arms; then rocks on her knees until she moves just an inch around in a circle.
All that struggle............all that she has............not really finding a direction..........but moving forward in her little life ........KNOWING that someone who loves her watches her struggles and
is there saying " you can do it Katy" "you can do it" and someday she will be able to crawl; stand; and then walk in her life.............

I must "remember" to keep moving;........... a little day by day.........

BEING CREATIVE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE..........

One of my favorite things is to make something special that doesnt cost too much.....I enjoy going through a thrift store or small resale shop and finding that little something to use in a gift or my home..............
I use my "Everything Dough" recipe to make holiday cookies with a simple cookie cutter or use some candy making pans (dollar store) and other little candies to add a fun topping...
A simple little bag stamped and a few Easter candies make a festive plate setting..............
Use containers from the market (they can sell these for a small price)...Add a few fun items and give away............

Use "egg cartons" and spray them Fun bright colors........Add a few candies ..............

Other items to help you Celebrate Spring that are inexpensive:

. Candles- small with votive s for your table; long candles to sit in a grouping in bright greens ( candle holders can run from .25 each at resale shops; Scented candles * I find if you can find a
nice Yankee or good name on this that the smell will last a long time...........

. Wreaths- Plain brown grapevine wreathes can be adorned with a big bright bow and flowers; eggs glued upon; or a nice little nest and eggs

. Flowers- silk tulips; white fluffy flowers; lilacs ( they add such a great aroma); branches from
your yard just beginning to bloom; branches snipped and painted white or red.

. Baskets- use for Easter; use long ones for trays to fill with pretty lamp; pictures; round wicker balls; baskets to hold items needed in bath area; kitchen; or pantry

. Sheets and Bedding- I love to change my bedding with the season if at all possible....Purchase good sheets that will last you a long time in a solid color.
Find Duvets; quilts; or good name comforters to change seasons on your bed.
Place nice pillows in coordinating colors..........

BEEF BOURGUIGNON..........SIMPLY

This dish is well known through the famous cook "Julie Child". I can remember as a young
girl watching her and looking through her cookbooks.............

But........when I heard about this special dish I wanted to learn how to make it.......** It seemed so hard.........but after searching I realized their are many cooks out there that have adapted newer easier versions of the same delish dish.....I have taken from "Julie Child"; "Barefoot Contessa"; and the "French Chef" and pulled these together simply...........

BEEF BOURGUIGNON

.1-2 lbs of cut up beef ( I use a part of a roast I may buy for Sundays; or stew meat)
. Onions Sliced 1-2 medium
. Pearl Onions (opt)
. Carrots 3 regular or 4 small cut into same size 2" bites
. Flour 1/4 cup
. Butter 1-2 T
. 2-4 garlic cloves * I used the kind in the jar easy...remember to use less
. Bacon
. Mushrooms (opt)
. 3 cups of Grape Juice or Beef Bouillon
. 3 cups of Beef Bouillon

* Cut up meat. ( I do this when I buy it and freeze it cut up)....Dry meat throughly before browning....
* Heat Dutch Oven with 2 T oil. Brown meat on all sides. * Dont overcrowd ...then remove meat to small plate.
* Add cut up onions; carrots and brown 3-4 minutes Turn way down....
* Mix 1/4 cup flour with about a good T butter or butter sub. ............
* Then..........ADD to veggies and stir until mixed........

* Add Beef Broth; Grape juice or more Beef Broth
* Add meat back.........Cover and Bake 2-3 hours at 325...............* I try and reduce some of the broth. It seems to thicken nicely.

** Meanwhile ( or near the end) saute 6-8 slices of bacon ( or whatever you have **I again use
whats leftover after a breakfast meal)..............** if need be pour a little grease off
** Then add little onions or sliced onions and saute .....Add mushrooms too at this time if you prefer.....
* Set aside these go on top..........

When baking is complete...........I serve with baked potatoes; hard bread; steam broccoli

DOING THE HARD THINGS.....WHEN YOU JUST DONT FEEL LIKE IT

What a beautiful day it is here! The sun is shining; the birds are singing their joyful songs up high in the trees and it just seems like Spring is around the corner.........but ( my physical body is still fighting that "flu bug" that hit our home last week. ) Just the lingering effects of a strong
bout of illness..........

I have taken time to rest but life does go on and a few days ago I began to tackle a few more
Spring cleaning projects..............

Projects that do not seem fun. Projects probably do one will notice . But......projects that just
need to be done and make the room gleam a little more.............
Once again I go through my room; dust; sweep; bring in fresh colors for Springtime; let the
sunshine in through the curtains and bring life to a room .................
I look around at things that do not belong; that may catch dust instead of light; that may not
be needed anymore and rid out of these things...........
Last year I seemed to love the color Robin Egg Blue and pulled those colors around me in the Spring Summer. This year it seems to be the Spring Greens; soft sages; and country blues; mustard yellows and barn reds..........
Another couple of projects I tackled were the sink and oven areas.............I know ..........the sink seems simple right?
Sink- I scrubbed and scrubbed it with a good cleanser until clean and sparkling white.
. Then.......took a soapy dishcloth and a butter knife stuck down in the cloth and went all around
the outside crack of the sink **it gets all sorts of things in there
. Then..........back behind the faucet and any sort of area back there wipe and cleaned ...
. All dried and ready................* I know it will be grubby soon enough but a good cleaning like this protects your sink and counters...........

Oven.........I took off all the burners and stove plates............
Soaked.........then scrubbed them down and dried them.........
Wiped..........down the front of the stove thoroughly including knobs; oven door ledges and the floor below............
The overhead.........wipe this down also . This may get greasy so may need a soapy rag to do the job.......
Inside .........a overnight cleaner is used.............
. All dried; polished and ready to use.........I remember my mom saying " that her stove was
all polished and shining" because back in the 40's and 50's many a stove needed a good polish.

Doing some of the "unpleasant jobs" may not always be on my favorites list but once done
brings a job well done.

I LOVE MONDAYS......SHHHH WHATS THAT I HEAR???

Do you ever hear a sound amist the other noises going on around you? You cant quite hear it but then once again there it is...........Faintly........ The business of the day of phones; music; others voices filled the room but I walked closely towards the front window and there it was again..........

The sound of a beautiful song from some birds singing their song so clearly outside this busy window.... I peeked around the bare branches covered again with the whitest snow and there they stood Mr and Mrs. Cardinal......bright red and singing their songs to the fullest.........I just sat there mesmerized as if at a outside concert listening to their songs......

.I then saw them flit from one branch to another as if they were having fun chasing each other........... A whisper from God through them.......saying "I love you" after a very long week of illness. These sounds can come in the form of a giggle from a sweet baby girl..........in a prayer from a toddler "Jesus help my Papa feel better"; in excitement from a sister who just saw 6 deer wander into her yard while you were on the phone with her; music from a church radio station playing a song to fill your heart; even the quiet sounds of heaven through His Word.........

I want to take time to "be still" and listen to the sounds given to me........I want to be a sound of joy and encouragement.............and to say "Shh Whats that I hear?"

GIVEN WITH LOVE.............

GIVEN WITH LOVE.......A PICK OF POSEYS

GIVEN WITH LOVE.........A PICK OF POSEYS.....


As the warm days of Spring come along; I notice patches of ground covered in small blue flowers............

I love to see these beautiful little flowers flourish everywhere on their own... No one has planted them; they are a present sent by God for anyone to enjoy!!

I remember as a young girl going out to a wooded area and finding these "little violets" and picking each one and gathering them in my hand so tightly; then running toward the house with my heart as full as it could be; reaping with love to be given to my mother.

I would then take them (usually hidden behind my back) and 'SURPRISE' I would say to my mom ; these are for you!! She would take them so proudly and gather the bunch up to her nose and say" Oh these are beautiful and they smell so nice"......and then again my heart would fill with joy of giving love and receiving her admiration.

She would then take them in the house and put them in a nice"juice glass" filled with water and sit them proudly on her windowsill in the kitchen window. I would pass by that window throughout my day and look at those "little blue flowers" given with love and once again feel the love.

Is that how are heavenly Father feels as He strives to give us His love and gifts everyday?

He loves us so much that He wants only the best for us. We may think He has forgotten about us but He is there and waiting to hear from us.

Sometimes we may give a gift of love to someone else in the form of a good meal; a clean home; working hard on a project; praying for someone...........It is given in LOVE and OHHH the blessings we receive as we see that person smile or laugh or enjoy what was given.

This Spring stop and look at the "poseys" and remember someone loves you!

OPEN THE DOORS. THE WINDOWS...LET THE FRESH AIR IN.........

Last Thursday my husband came home from work with a bad cough and feeling pretty exhausted......( with his immune system I am getting used to things attacking him so we started on some nice warm chicken soup and he went to rest).....By Friday I was feeling achy but being a wife and mom I kept plugging on thinking I was just overtired..( my husband seemed to get worse) .........By Saturday I was really feeling exhausted and couldnt hardly take steps without feeling the heaviness throughout my body..........By Sunday the fever had hit us both and we
had the worst flu both of us had experienced in a very long time.........

I was used to caring for my husband.........and could barely lift my head from one side to another without pain....My married daughter came and brought us soups and toast and Lysol
and gather what she could to keep our room comfortable........I remember waking up one night
and the "pain chart" that my husband would have in the hospital came to my mind and I thought "Lord this is a 9 for sure!"........I would barely wake up and then sleep again.....(during one of those times I remember whispering to the Lord" I know what you have given is what I am to go through and I thank you for even this!") I couldnt help remembering those of whom I have been
praying for going through their own "trials" in life and how to them this was like a heaviness
that they could hardly bare.............

So what did I do? Oh I just got up and took care of things.......NOOO .....I couldnt. It was out of my control. I had to go through the timing of this "time" and let it run its coarse..........

I stayed in bed for days. Took sips of drinks. Slept and slept.....until it passed..........When I got up the first day I was still achy and needed some rest. I am still sore from coughing and abit weak but on the mend.............

God always shows me a lesson.................Sometimes we have to stop and go through the trials of
life to become stronger and take time with Him! ...............I am careful now to take my vitamins
and get my strength back ....why? Because He has others that have been put in my path to care for.........I need to take care of myself to be a help to myself and others..........

Im not the first one to have this "bug" . There are many in are area and other areas across the country.........Im not the first one to go through ___________........but when we are going through it it may seem like it!

I have now lost both of my parents......I miss them dearly. It was hurtful to lose someone you love but you know what ? Now I can "feel" for others that are going through the same thing and
can maybe do some things I know I needed during that time..........
I say .........Open the doors...........let the fresh air in..............and the warms breezes flow again
through our lives..............

I love that Spring is coming.....I love the sunshine I can see peeking through my windows...
It gives me renewed strength..............

So today I am for being Thankful..........Thankful for the little things such as the red cardinal
I saw in my big tree out my picture window......thankful for a husband who has regained his strength and returned to work.......thankful for a daughter who was willing to take care of her two parents ( and now has two sick little ones with this bug); a son in law willing to go to get "drugstore" items needed" and ..........for Gods goodness.............