NANA NOTES

CAN'T SLEEP

Cried myself to sleep last night; now it's almost 5:00 AM and I've been up since 4:00 AM.  Can't sleep.  Sterioids have kicked in and have a fever.  Took Excedrin at 11:30 PM to try to stop aching bones.  So far this morning I'm not hurting.  One of my friends on chemo told me about the Excedrin.  I hope it works.  Feeling like you have the flu constantly is the pits.  Enough whining!! 

Spent most of yesterday in Natchez in the chemo room.  Donna, Julia, "driver Debra" and me.  It was interesting.  We ate lunch at the Sandbar [finished at 4 PM] and headed home since Julia had someplace to be.  Debra and I went straight from their home to McComb for groceries.  I was a tired little puppy when I got home. I have to admit that anything that didn't need refridgeration or freezing is still on the counter.  Cereal was the dinner of choice.  Found Ed walking out front.  He's more obsessive than ME. 

Last night I got up and went to the "happy place".  I swang until the outside lights went out.  It's beautiful out there at night too.  A friend of Ed's has a huge telescope he's trying to get rid of.  I'm making the call today.  I want it.  The stars and sunsets out here are so beautiful.  Even when you think you have nothing to be thankful for--just look UP.

You may have noticed a sidebar on the right of the blog that says "Follow me on Twitter" or "Twitter Updates".  If you're interested in my instant thoughts or quick chemo updates that's where they will be.  Jennifer got me into that and it's a fun thing.  Technology is amazing and I'm having fun with the new stuff.  Check it out.

Four more days until a group of us girls leave for the beach.  We're counting the seconds and packing our bags--not clothes, but stitching, scrapbooking, beading, reading, swimsuits, and laptops.  We're going to have a fun trip.  Oh, and we're taking Dooley!!  By popular vote, I might add.

I am looking for a scripture to end this post:  These all spoke to me.

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  2 Cor: 3:17

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Phil 4:13 [Jen's fav]

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your reauests to God.   Phil: 4-6

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jer 29:11  [my personal fav]

Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others.  1 Peter 4:10  [Debra and I discussed this yesterday---interesting I should read this now.]

Have a very happy, blessed day.  That's what I am choosing to do.

TRYING TO STAY BUSY. . .

Ed has been doing all he can to cheer me up this weekend.  It's not that I'm sad or down, it's more like I'm preoccupied--just not myself.  I guess it's because I had scans last week and tomorrow we get the results.  That's a little exciting and scary at the same time.  One of those--I want to know but I don't want to know--kind of things.  I was looking through my pictures looking for something to blog (trying to keep busy) and saw the picture of my bottle tree.  It was (and I say "was") really colorful and pretty.  A storm blew it over and broke most of my bottles.  You don't find orange, blue and pink bottles very often. [And for your "Northerners who are reading this--bottle trees are a Southern thing--yard art, we call it!!] So, I don't know why I picked this picture and what it has to do with me being anxious but it led me to these scriptures. God knew.

Humble yourselves, therefore under God's almighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  Phil. 4:6

EVER HAD THAT FEELING. . .

that things were going a little too well?  Like Christmas dinner was tomorrow and you'd forgotten to buy the food?  Or buy the presents?  At breakfast this morning Ed said this was the "least stressed" I'd been over Christmas in a long time.  He said I wasn't running around doing last minute things like I always did.  My answer was that I'd probably forgotten something really important but it was just going to have to be ok.  I had planned to go to the mall today just to walk and enjoy the hustle and bustle of last minute shoppers and he suggested that we go sit on a deer stand.  That's exactly what we did.  Of course we took oranges, tangerines, books, iPods, Gameboys, the camera, oh, yes and the gun--just in case.  All we did was have several hours of quiet time with each other and nature watching some birds flitter about.  We got home right before the rains came (should I say a downpour!) and Josh came in for supper.  Ed cooked us a great filet and we sat there going through the Christmas cards remembering our friends and their families. We're now settled in for the night.

I still have that feeling--Tomorrow I'll do a little inventory to be sure that things are in order.  We're looking forward to all the family coming on Tuesday.  They will have had Christmas in so many places before they get to us they won't miss whatever I've forgotten! :) 

A WHOLE WEEK

  What happened to the past week? 

• Walking  3 to 5 miles every morning
• Grocery shopping on Monday morning
• Bridge on Monday and Tuesday nights
• Choir on Wednesday night
• Jackson with Ed on Thursday
• Planting some pots of bedding plants
• Making LOTS of peanut brittle
• Handworks on Friday with friends
• Dinner with Josh and his friends from England on Saturday
• Church and choir practice on Sunday

We're looking forward to family and friends coming for Thanksgiving.  I hope you and your family have a very blessed and thankful week.  Safe travel, love and peace to you and yours.

WHY?

Sometimes Ed and I watch the "Running of the Bulls" in Pamplona, Spain (when it is shown before the Tour de France) on the sports network.  I often wonder why people do that; it's dangerous but I understand that some people like dangerous things.  I was reading the headlines on the web (It's easier than reading the newspaper) and saw about the bull running pictures.  Why did I look at them?  Why would people put their lives in jeopardy for a little adrenalin rush? Then I got to thinking about it.  Living in New Orleans is a lot like the running of the bulls.  Consider Mardi Gras without the bulls--or is it? Bulls in people clothing.  Watch out!  It's a dangerous world.

Edit:  I had a reason for this post.  Things are turning out ok.  I still believe NO is a dangerous place.

CAN YOU SAY "Doing Nothing".....

Remember the commercial where the little guy sings, "Got my car fixed, got my tail light, so on and so on...Well, today I got my shower, got my hair cut (remember the glue incident?) ate my lunch and have played with my camera and computer all afternoon.  I am totally worthless today!!  Photo Buffet has inspired me to try to take better pictures.  Here are some of the efforts. The lantana is the hot orange and yellow.  Of course the beautiful blue morning glory and the dew kissed vinca are sweet.   Do you recognize the Guara?  A simple  yellow Zinnia reminds me of my grandmother.   The Calla Lily is a favorite of Edith Cooley's and I never look at one that I don't think of her.

You may get bored with my efforts but I'm going to keep trying.

FYI:  I went by the vets office today.  Here is an update on the Century Plant. The next time I go I will take my telephoto lens so you can see it close up.  That thing is weird.  Can you see the "arms" sticking out?  It's going to have tiny blooms all over it.  Look it up in the internet.

Life is Good!  Happy Day!

LESSON LEARNED. . .and SAM GRADUATES. . .

Sticky glue traps--the kind that catches mice, flies, etc---you know what I'm talking about.  Have you ever touched one?  Have you ever stepped on one? Have you ever had one in your HAIR?  Well, don't scroll down for the picture because there isn't one, but yes, it happened to me!  Long story short, I climbed into a chair in the barn and hit a "fly sticky trap" with my head.  Not a good thing to do.  Our farm helper was there and said, "Ms Barbara, you don't need me, you need your hair-doer."  He finally got it out but my hair was full of glue.  Ed's solution was to get the scizzors---NOT!  I called Sharon.  She said try baking soda--the glue turned to a hard mess.  I called Sharon again.  She said try clothes detergent (which happened to be Cheer).  About six washings with Cheer, three with shampoo and LOTS of conditioner and I am now glue free.  Bad enough for this to happen but my house was full of guys who thought this was very funny and had all sorts of solutions--WD40 being one of them.

While all of this was going on all the guys were eating.  I came to the kitchen and told Sam we had a surprise for him. I had made him a certificate for graduation from Cotton Branch Day Care and a certificate for the "Best Nap Taker" Award.  Papa also brought him some balloons and a happy for his graduation.  He was thrilled.  Papaw H. and Papa were trying to get excited about the idea.  His day was spent with his brothers and two college guys fishing. What more could a four year old want!

Family is gathering for the reunion; Bude Run/Walk in the morning.  Update on that later.  Deck pictures to follow. 

MURPHY'S LAW. . .

You know about that right?  "Anything that can go wrong, will—at the worst possible moment".  That seems to be what the deck project has been all about.  That sucker is alive!  It moves!  The builders have even "popped lines" that were straight one day and the next day they were all crooked.  It's has been funny--if it weren't that we were on a time schedule.  The railing that was supposed to come assembled came--you guessed it--unassembled!  The other railing was sent somewhere else.  We ran 10 boards short and have had to have some overnighted to Jackson.  It should arrive at CB tomorrow.  The good thing is that someone from the factory is coming tomorrow to assemble the curved railing; the builders are a great bunch of guys who are working like dogs to get this place ready for the reunion this weekend and I'm not too proud to bake cakes and feed them burgers on Friday!

Oh, and the other thing is that my blog got suspended--even longer story-- and I haven't been able to post.  I am so OCD or AADD (?) or whatever that it has driven me crazy trying to get it straight. 

Family will begin arriving on Friday.  I started baking today. Tomorrow will be more cooking and getting the pool area ready.  My list is growing but I am looking forward to this annual event.  I know my Mom is watching.

I have pictures of Shelby and Ben at their graduation.  I couldn't get them up on the blog tonight.  I'll try tomorrow. You can take my word for it--they are precious!

PROGRESS. . .

The top layer of the deck is GONE! You should have seen all the "worker bees" today--including Sam.  He thought he was as big as the other guys who were working.  He got dirtier than any of them!  We just have to remember you can't go out the deck door now--it might be a very long step down! :)  More updates later!  Have a blessed weekend--and a wonderful Mother's Day!

April--Busy month

April is my busiest month--always has been--well for years and years anyway.  Lots of choir practices leading up to Easter.  Flower shows start up and lots of paper work and some judging duties.  State Garden Club convention along with the regular meeting.  Usually Pine Burr has their flower show in April but we moved it to May--thank goodness for that.  Several of us had some conflicts, thus the change.  I have an added responsibility this year which will take two weekends but it should be an enjoyable time. And Ed is wanting to work in a long weekend at the beach--I'm all for that too.  There aren't many days that don't have something penciled in but I'm grateful to be able to respond to the call to be needed and helpful.  I am looking forward to May for our reunion (which I haven't even done anything about yet!)  I guess I'm just assuming everyone knows that it will happen. Sam and I have a little project tomorrow that I'm excited about.  It's a surprise.  I'll share it later.  Happy April 1st everyone.

HEALTHY ME!!

I made my deadline (March 31).  Today was my last test and I have been declared "Healthy Me".  My bones are those of a woman much younger and all other tests came out AOK!!  My potassium was low (it has been for the last three years) but this year they decided to give meds.  That will not be a problem.  My goal was to have all the necessary tests for a woman my age by the end of this month.  I felt like that would be a gift to myself and my family since my family's health history is not so good.  I often take the prayer of thanking God for health, happiness, love and peace for granted.  Lately I am much more aware of how important those things are and what they mean.  Lord, I truly am thankful for good health, our happiness and love, and the peace we have here at home.  We pray for those things for everyone everywhere. Amen

WEIRD THINGS @ ME

Lindey hasn't posted in forever and her last post was a "tagx2" about 6 weird things about her.  In my desperate attempt to find out where she is and what she's doing I am going to answer her blog with my own 6 weird things!

• Everything has to be straight and neat before I can start a new project in my scrap room.  I cannot start something new with everything scattered everywhere.
• If someone drinks out of my glass I will pour it out and get another glass.  I guess that stems from all the "backwashes" of the kids.
• I don't like for hair to touch my face or my neck. 
• I don't bother the heat/AC and radio in someone elses vehicle and I don't like for someone to bother it in mine.  That goes for the mirror too.  (If you have too--put it back before you leave it.)
• I don't drink hot drinks.  I'm just now learning to drink cold coffee.
• And speaking of drinking, I always WANT a straw.

Where are you Lindey??

FAST AND FURIOUS WEEK. . .

Ed and I just came back from a delightful dinner at one of my favorite places--Middendorf's.  It was not planned; it just happened.  We were on our way to take the film from the deer camera check and just ended up there.  On the way back we stopped at Hobby Lobby (which was closed and I talked my way IN to get one item!) and Baskin Robbins for ice cream.  A perfect date.  We both have been very busy this week. I saw three doctors on three different days and did camera checks on all but one or two days.  I set a goal this year of being declared "HEALTHY" by the end of March, 2007.  So far, so good and I have a bone scan, scopes, a chest xray and the most important mamogram and cancer checkup left to do.  Ed is joining me in the scopes.  That is true love!!  As for the camera checks, they will be over on Sunday.  I have enjoyed doing them--Sam has helped me along with Ryan and sometimes Ben and Graham.  Actually it was supposed to be Ryan with me helping BUT----he's a busy guy!

I have a couple of big projects coming up that need priority.  Hopefully this weekend and next week I can get on to doing them without distraction. 

Fast and furious week--that's what we've had but we're grateful for every minute that the Lord has given us to work, play and be together.

CRUD! KRUD! . . .

Any way you spell it--that's what we have!  Ed and I both have been sick all week.  The only place I've been this week is to see the doctor for meds and shots!  When I am on the bed in the daytime I AM SICK!!  Ed seemed to be feeling ok until yesterday when he began to get worse.  We think he's just a couple of days behind me in the process.  We've done our best not to pass it along.  YOU don't want it.  It's a lousy feeling and I want to be over it.  I'm hoping for a better week next week.

SOUTHERN SNOW???

One morning this week we woke up to a huge white frost.  I couldn't resist taking pictures because it looked so much like snow on the deck and furniture.  I didn't see it on the grass but I'm SURE it was all white and beautiful!  Probably the closest we'll see to snow--fun to think of the possibility though.

INTERESTING...

I was browsing websites last night and noticed the "cloud" formation in the categories section of the blog that I was reading. I liked it.  In it she had words that I liked and wanted on my blog.  Not words like "Travel", "Business", etc.  Today while I had a few extra minutes (???) :) I played with my blog and figured out how to fix it.  I categorized my first 20 posts.  The blog automatically makes the most used word the biggest.  I did no planning; I just went down the line without thinking.  I wasn't surprised--or maybe I was and shouldn't have been--BLESSINGS, FARM, FAMILY.

The best things in my life!

THE ABC's of LIFE

Accept differences       Be kind      Count your blessings     Dream     Express thanks      Forgive      Give freely      Harm no one      Imagine more     Jettison anger      Keep confidences     Love truly     Master something      Nurture hope      Open your mind      Pack lightly     Quell rumors       Reciprocate       Seek wisdom      Touch hearts      Understand      Value truth      Win graciously     Xerioscape       Yearn for peace      Zealously support a worthy cause

A couple of weeks ago I did this post and lost it.  I just found it again in a magazine.  It's a wall hanging on "How to Live Gracefully".  I liked it the first time I read it and I like it tonight.    The rules--basic, simple, good---I like that.

TODAY IS THE DAY...

TO COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS! HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE.  Don't eat too much turkey and dressing and enjoy your family and friends.  That's what we plan to do.  Mom will be here and that will be a good thing.  Love you all!