NANA NOTES

DON'T LEAVE ME; I'LL POST SOON, I PROMISE!!

I've started several blog posts and lost them in the last few weeks. That is very frustrating and it's usually at night when it's late.  I've been doing scans and tests for the last two weeks and have two more to go.  When I finish up ( or maybe before ) I'll do a long post and catch up on everything.  For now, I'm doing fine and the summer has flown by-Baseball, beach for the kids, (not much for us though), lots of veggies to put up for winter, and treatment. Not a bad summer.  Know that I love you and will seriously get busy with a post soon.  

TWO IN ONE NIGHT!!

A few days of R & R at the condo before treatment--this is what I did. 

Plumbing!!

 
Cleaning and Organizing the Pantry!!

Cleaning and Organizing the Laundry Room!!

Of course there was shopping, movie going, eating out, sleeping late, shopping and ice cream--but I didn't take pictures of that!!

Queen of All Things Ribbon!

I've read a blog for a long time called The Ribbon Jar. Their logo is a cute old fashioned mason jar full of colorful ribbon. I guess that's why I love it! I am a ribbon addict. While looking at the site one night last week I thought, "why can't I have one of those beautiful jars?" I couldn't think of a reason why I couldn't so I ordered me one! Here is my beautiful "Sunset Rainbow" jar.

WHAT'S THE DEAL?

So life around the farm hasn't been that exciting lately. I have had some posts that were of interest to some but there have been NO comments for ages. Am I that boring or have you just quit reading me? Has Facebook taken over the blogisphere (is that a word?) and nobody does it but me? I have some interesting things coming up but if you aren't there I won't be here! Let me hear from you!

HANNAH AND HER FRIENDS!

I actually got a question about my lack of blogging lately!!  We've been busy [Ed and Ryan working on the farm] me-never still but not accomplishing anything! On Friday we had some friends come for the weekend and our front doorbell rang. I then remembered that Hannah had asked if she could come and play the piano with some friends. I have the CRS disease--can't remember stuff--and I'd forgotten.  What a delight it was! Hannah's sister got married at our home and we've known Hannah's family for over 40 years. I knew Hannah's mom when she was Hannah's age!! [I think I'm right on that!!]  Anyway, here they are and I found out that Hannah's best friend, Julia, is the granddaughter of a sweet friend of mine who does sewing machine repair. She also won the 4H chicken show one year and Ed bought her prize chickens.  They had their picture in the paper together.  Also, her dad and Jody fish together.  The piano playing was a "ruse" to get her to Hannah's home for a surprise party for her. They were so sweet to include us in that process.  We love having  them come and play. The whole family is so talented.

Isn't she lovely and plays so well. And sings too!

Julia, Hannah, Gabe's friend (I'm sorry I can't remember her name) and Gabe. Aren't they all just wonderful?? I hear they had a lovely party and I was the recipient of a wonderful CD that was made for Mr. Lester's birthday this year. I'm so blessed!!  Thank you all for being my friends!!
 
 

Thursday's Meme --A Day Late

Thursday's Meme

Thrown at me by Cindy...

Three physical things you like about yourself
1) my eyes
2) my teeth
3) my feet  (go ahead and laugh!)

Three physical things you don’t
1) my belly
2) my arms (yes, I got them from my mother!)
3) my hands

Three things that scare you
1) something happening to one of my children or grandchildren
2) drowning or dying in water

3) fire

Three of your everyday essentials
1) my cellphone
2) mascara
3) diet dr. pepper

Three things you are wearing now
1) t-shirt
2) sweat pants
3) gray socks

Three of your favorite bands or musical artists
1) High Road
2) Sugarland
3) Lady Antebellum

Three things you want in a relationship
1) honesty
2) sense of humor
3) trust

Two truths and a lie (which is a lie?)
1) I plan to publish a book
2) I love to drive fast
3) I love to watch football

Three of your favorite hobbies
1) gardening
2) scrapbooking
3) crafts/woodworking/anything with my hands

Three things you want to do really badly right now
1) get well and stay that way
2) get settled and find a project to work on
3) be really content

Three careers you are considering or have had
1) secretary
2) flower/gift shop owner
3) wife/mother

Three places you want to go on vacation
1) Italy
2) Italy
3) always Orange Beach, AL

Three things you want to do before you die
1) see my grandchildren grow up
2) travel up the east coast to see the leaf color
3) go to Italy

Three people you are throwing this to next
1) Sharon
2) Libby
3) Pat

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS TOUR

Last year I missed the deadline for the Christmas Tour of Homes sponsored by "Boo Mama". Nesting Place is hosting this year and I'm going to make it (if I can figure out how to get it online!!).  I haven't done as much this year but we will enjoy the lights and knowing the Reason for the Season is enough anyway.  Family will be around and love will abound. 

As you come up the front walk this little fellow welcomes you to the front door which is lit up with garland and miniature trees.  The wreath is red and green.   

 

The "theme" for this year's decorations is "JOY" (quite a coincidence that our church contata is "Jesus is Joy"!)  Hence, the front door mat!!

The Library mantle is lit with lights and a magnolia wreath. The Mary and Joseph were a gift from a friend.  The "thing" on the left is a container I purchased at a flower show and have left it there since.  I just like it.

Last year I hung the red velvet Christmas tree that my mother made from costume jewelry over fifty years ago. I did not take it down after Christmas. I love it too much to put it away. 

The kitchen sitting room is always the place for the snowmen.  Snowmen rule! 

 The tree in the family room is always covered in my favorite Hallmark collection of ornaments started when my children were small.  Each year I add several. Our tree is so full I'm trying to wean myself from buying them. :)  

The angel on the top is the one Josh made when he was a small child. Ryan put it on the tree for me.    The mantle in the living room just got some lights and angels and "joy" added to what was already there.  I think it turned out beautifully.    

The Santas and Nativity are always out as are the angels.  I never tire of looking at them.
   

The tree in the sunroom has all the glass ornaments with the farm "stuff"-tractors, peacocks, bees, chickens, ducks, sunflowers, cows, etc.  "Olivia" is the dressform tree in our bedroom! She's actually a lamp!  

These little trees were a gift from Ed one Christmas.  They look very cute on this little table and have been used in many different ways.

We also have a tree upstairs that I never seem to take a picture of.  At least we get it out and dress up the upstairs!! 

I love the lights and wreath on the barn.  You can see it from the highway coming down the hill.  A very welcome sight!  

 Last year I had a friend paint this sign for me--it's four feet by eight feet and says what we all should say--Merry CHRISTmas!!
 

VOTE FOR ZOE

Stephanien Sullivan sent out an email telling us about this.  We helped Batson's win a gameroom makeover--let's help Zoe get into the Cherrios box!!

The Hair of Zoe Fleefenbacher Goes to School is one of 13 books competing in the Spoonful of Stories campaign, sponsored by General Mills and Simon & Schuster. The top 5 winning books will win a spot inside of Cheerios boxes everywhere! 

The illustrator of this book is our own Bentonville Dad—Ard Hoyt.

He has daughters in kindergarten and third grade at Central Park, one in seventh grade at Washington and one at Bentonville High.

Vote Daily until the end of October. 

This is all you have to do.....  

1 -- Go to: http://promo.simonandschuster.com/cheerios-poll/poll.php 

2 -- Click on "more books" (bottom right hand corner-twice) till you get to Zoe. It's the last book on a page by itself.  I tried to put a copy of the cover but couldn't.

3 -- Click on VOTE. I voted more than once.

4 -- Tell everyone you know.  

Please help Zoe win her special place inside a million Cheerios boxes!

AND THE WINNER IS--------------------------------------

AMY!!!!!

Please get in touch with me [you know all the ways!] so I can get your great, awesome, tremendous HIGH ROAD cd to you! Congratulations!! Your name was drawn from the group in a totally annonamous drawing by a wonderful guy--out of the candy jar!!

The rest of you don't be disappointed--there may be another give away soon.

COULDN'T WAIT TILL IT GOT HERE!

  I won a book on Twitter!! And--I was going to wait till it got here to show it to you but I jumped the gun!!  My friend Trish Berg was giving away two books. Well, what was my chance?  It was just a tweet, right?  Trish is a Christian author and inspirational speaker that I have come to appreciate since following her on  Twitter.  I only wish we lived close enough for me to hear her in person.  I am eagerly waiting for the book to arrive and encourage you to check out the website. Her blog is full of "good stuff"--tips, recipes, inspiration and the list goes on.  This woman must never sleep. Her to do list is longer than mine. 

PLEASE VOTE FOR BEN!!

PLEASE GO TO JENNIFER'S BLOG AND READ HER POST ABOUT VOTING FOR BEN.  FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT CLICKING ON DONI'S BLOG AND VOTE FOR #3--BEN.  HOW AWESOME WOULD THAT BE FOR DONI TO PAINT BEN'S PICTURE???  VOTE!! 

CHONDA "TAGGED" ME

My instructions were to go to my fourth photo file and choose the fourth photo; post it and then tag four people.  This is the photo--Charm and her baby in 2008.  Charm belonged to Dixie [Ed's cousin] but we somehow ended up with her. Ed gave the baby to McRae [Dixie's daughter]. Everyone was happy and we are eagerly awaiting the birth of Charm's 2009 baby soon.

Kelly, Tiffany, Joddie and Stephenie--consider yourselves "tagged". I will watch for your pictures!!

WHAT DO YOU CALL THIS? QUESTIONS!

Diana, at Kudzu and Coal Dust gave me two awards today that required only for me to answer some questions.  The first four concerned friendship.

1. Do you have the same friends since childhood? Several

2. What do you value most about your friends? Their loyalty and ability to take me just like I am.

3. Are your friends sounding boards? Most of them.

4. What is your favorite activity to do with your friends?   Shopping at Target, eating at Zaxby's and BYB and going to Hobby Lobby!!

The others concerned things I value and don't value.

Six things I value:

1. My faith-I couldn't have made it this far without it.

2. My husband-he has been there for me when I needed him.

3. My family-they are there whenever I need them.

4. My friends-no one has friends like I do; they are the best.

5. My church family-they have become my family.

6. I agree with Diana-angels-seen and unseen.

Six things I don't value:

1. People who lie, cheat and steal.

2. Disloyalty.

3. People who aren't "real".

4. When good people aren't treated fairly.

5. "One call, that's all" lawyers!!

6. Politicians who get away with evil.

Well, that was easy. Thanks, Diana! I'll pass it along to  Jennifer,
Tiffany, & Stephenie.

NO SERVICE FOR ME!

I am at the doctor and have been trying to access the web. It isn't going to happen!! Therefore my plan to put up the NY blog is on hold. I will try later. Please don't leave me. Follow me on "twitter".I keep it updated regularly.

SERIOUS LACK OF BLOGGING TOPICS--Plus Update

Wow, it's been over a week since I blogged.  Our trip to the beach was very uneventful. Abby enjoyed herself and made some friends. She got some sun and enjoyed the food. We even went out one night and totally enjoyed it. [Not a usual thing for us.]

I've been reading a lot--something I couldn't do early on in my treatment. My attention span was very short. Now I am enjoying some books that I have had waiting for a while.

All the Mom's are getting their children ready for school to start--totally unfair I think.  It's still summertime with lots of time to swim and play.  School supplies, uniforms [everyone has grown a size or two], backpacks--the list is endless.  I remember when a friend and I used to go for our children and we always bought those metal lunch boxes.  How I wish I had them all now.  They'd be worth a fortune!!

Chemo this week was VERY interesting!  On the way over to Natchez, I got a call asking why I was late.  I responded that I wasn't late, I would arrive on time.  I had Janice fax my calendar over to them so they could see that I was telling the truth. It seems that a girl had been let go and had screwed up all the appointment times.  I was supposed to get both types of chemo meds that day and was unable to since the doctor was leaving at 11:00 AM.  One of the "good ole boys" had doubled up on his steroids and was very vocal.  We kept the banter going and Vanessa acted as a referee--she was throwing punches after every sentence. I wish I could have videoed the whole morning.  We have to laugh or we'd all be crying. :)  My friend Donna cannot have chemo for three weeks. She will be having surgery on her brain next week.  Please keep her in your prayers.  My treatment is going well.  Next week I have a shot on Tuesday and treatment on Wednesday.  It will be a long day [having both meds at once].  I keep the nurses happy by taking them some kind of cake.  I think I'll try Lemon Gooey Butter Cake this week.  They loved the Chocolate Chip Pecan one.

Ben and I have an adventure coming up so I should have some good blogging material soon.  Don't abandon me.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. . .  Phil. 1: 3-4

TECHNICALLY CHALLENGED!!

Jennifer has "Twitter" on her blog.  It's a cute little sidebar that gives you tidbits of what's going on if you don't have time to do a full blog.  Some folks think it's silly but I personally can keep up with my grandchildren via this method.  I have been trying to set it up on my blog for a while now.  I CANNOT DO IT!  Matt has told me that I am a "techie Nana" and that he is confident that I can do most things on the computer as long as I work at it long enough.  Well-------I am beginning to wonder.  "Twitter" is kicking my #$%^!!  After an hour this morning I am giving "Twitter" to the birds.  I will come back later when my nerves are settled and I am not ready to tear the computer to pieces.  I think I hear the yard calling me.  I am loving planting color!!!

TAGGED BY KELLY

Who are you?

Tagged

I was tagged by Kelly to play a “who are you?” game. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people, posts their names, and then leaves a comment on their blogs, letting them know they've been tagged.

What was I doing 10 years ago?

We had only been in our house for a few months so I was probably working in the yard.

5 things on my to-do list today

1.      finish garden club cards

2.      walk

3.      go to McComb

4.      rest

5.      eat at Cock of the Walk

5 snacks I enjoy

1.      cookies

2.      my homemade trash

3.      ice cream

4.   more cookies

5.      popcorn

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire

1.      buy YaYa a PT Cruiser

2.      put all the grandchildren through college

3.      have a private jet

4.      have a massage therapist on stand by

5.      give to the church

5 bad habits

1.      saying “YES” to often

2.      over obligating

3.   not being outspoken enough

4.      speaking before I think

5.      worrying about things that I have no control over

5 places I have lived

1.     Jackson MS

2.     El Paso, TX

3.    Fayetteville, NC

4.    Meadville MS

5.    Ridgeland, MS

5 jobs I've had

1.      Secretary

2.      Flower and Gift Shop Owner

3.      Wife

4.      Mother

5.   Grandmother

5 people I want to know more about (a nice way of saying TAG):

1.      Libby

2.      Debra

3.      Jan

4.      Sharon

5.      Debbie

Edit:  I only accomplished three of my five to do's today--the garden club cards, walked a little and rested a lot--because I ate cookies and I have discovered that sweets do not agree with the treatment!  There will be no more cookies and more cookies for me--maybe I should try salty as someone suggested.

Tagged

I was tagged by Kelly to play a “who are you?” game. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning. Each player answers the questions about themselves. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people, posts their names, and then leaves a comment on their blogs, letting them know they've been tagged.

What was I doing 10 years ago?

We had only been in our house for a few months so I was probably working in the yard.

5 things on my to-do list today

1.      finish garden club cards

2.      walk

3.      go to McComb

4.      rest

5.      eat at Cock of the Walk

5 snacks I enjoy

1.      cookies

2.      my homemade trash

3.      ice cream

4.   more cookies

5.      popcorn

5 things I would do if I were a billionaire

1.      buy YaYa a PT Cruiser

2.      put all the grandchildren through college

3.      have a private jet

4.      have a massage therapist on stand by

5.      give to the church

5 bad habits

1.      saying “YES” to often

2.      over obligating

3.   not being outspoken enough

4.      speaking before I think

5.      worrying about things that I have no control over

5 places I have lived

1.     Jackson MS

2.     El Paso, TX

3.    Fayetteville, NC

4.    Meadville MS

5.    Ridgeland, MS

5 jobs I've had

1.      Secretary

2.      Flower and Gift Shop Owner

3.      Wife

4.      Mother

5.   Grandmother

5 people I want to know more about (a nice way of saying TAG):

1.      Libby

2.      Debra

3.      Jan

4.      Sharon

5.      Debbie

Edit:  I only accomplished three of my five to do's today--the garden club cards, walked a little and rested a lot--because I ate cookies and I have discovered that sweets do not agree with the treatment!  There will be no more cookies and more cookies for me--maybe I should try salty as someone suggested.

I AM READY--LET THE TALE BEGIN. . .

Tomorrow I will begin the tale of the trip to Canada.  I have the pictures in the computer at least and have "in my head" the way I think I want to tell the story.  I had no idea how disorganized I could be with all of this.  Let the journey begin. . .

I'M TRYING. . .

This has been a dreadful week trying to get back into the routine of "life" after a wonderful trip.  I'm working furiously on pictures trying to learn the latest "techie" stuff to put on the blog.  I want you to see everything the best way possible.  And to write it would be soooooo long!!  I'm getting there so thanks for the comments.  You keep me going.

I WILL NEVER. . .

leave home without my laptop again.  I will never leave home without my laptop again!! I WILL NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT MY LAPTOP AGAIN!!!

I'm home--arrived here about 1:00 AM this morning.  I have lots to tell you and lots to show you.  Let me catch up on the "dailies" around here and you'll be the first to share in my trip.

Thanks, Jennifer for letting everyone know that I was still alive.  Technology isn't all it's cracked up to be. Oh, and did I tell you that I will NEVER leave home without my laptop again!!!