Thankful travel...

I'm leaving in the morning to go down to NC. I'll spend the day and night with mom and dad, then on Friday morning, I have an appt. with my doctor for a 'check-in'. I like to call it this because I am actually checking in with her to give her an update on how I'm feeling and to see where we go from here. It's hard to say, really...as I can see some improvement in one area and things have worsened in another. But, amidst all this 'change'(whether it be for the better or for the worse), a little 'birdie' told me that I may get to visit with Nicole and Bryson while I'm down. And if I do get to see that sweet, little, innocent face of his...well, that...alone, should make any soul feel better! And folks...it's wealthy Wednesday, so I'll leave you with my list of thankfuls for the week. Til next time, blessings!

1. GOD'S GRACE & MERCY - He continues to uplift my spirits and helps to guide me through each day of the 'unknown'.
2. REHABILITATION CENTERS - These physical therapy centers and their employees, are a "Godsend" to patients and their families, who NEED this type of treatment to get back on their feet.
3. CHOCOLATE - Yes, indeedy, I thank God everyday for this sweet and indulgent treat!
4. AIR CONDITIONERS - window units, central units, fans or trees...doesn't matter, really, as long as some form of air is circulating and blowing my way!
5. DEODORANT - C'mon, think about it. Could you imagine a world without it??

Green beans...again??

Mom and dad were here on Thursday. They came up to visit my mother-in-law, but did not get to see her because she was not feeling well. They only stayed one night , due to prior commitments. But, I'll see them again next week when I go back down for a doctor's appointment. And...on August 9th(Please Lord, let me feel better by then!), Mom, Dad, Zach, and myself are going back to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. for the week. I'm definitely looking forward to the trip and 'getting away' with something besides Calgon!

We've been canning beans again this morning. Yuck, Yuck and then another yuck! Green beans used to be my favorite veggie. Not these days, though. I've been feeling so poorly lately that I haven't felt like dealing with alot of garden stuff. I do good to get my flowers watered every other evening. But, so far, we have 'put up' about 60 qts. of green beans. I've been freezing more things this year than I ever have before and I do have cucumbers on brine, as I write this post, to make 14 day Icicle pickles. Yum. Just don't mention a green bean to me anytime soon, because you might not get a kind response.

Til next time, blessings!

Wealthy Wednesday resumes...

Today the 'wealthy' Wednesday posts resume after a sudden halt in publication, due to unforeseen circumstances, beyond my control. (Now that was a mouthful) I would like to give a brief update on some...
Nanny (my MIL), is doing quite well now, following her hip surgery. She remains in a rehab facility nearby, gaining strength and going through physical therapy on a daily basis. Her spirits are much brighter, than in the beginning of this ordeal. She has accepted the fact that she is in the best surroundings available, equipped to provide her with the healing she needs, in order to prepare her for coming home. If she continues to progress, we're told she may get to go home by the middle of August.
I continue to 'battle the war', if you will, between my brain and a certain antidepressant medication. I never was crazy about rollar coaster rides and this is no exception! Since this 'weaning' process began, 15 days ago, (yep, I'm counting the days here), I've experienced 2 pretty good days, 5 or 6 not so bad days, and the others...well, I'd rather not remember. Let's just say, I didn't experience this much nausea when I was pregnant!! And when you can actually HEAR your eyes move...it's one more sick feeling! Nonetheless, I must go through this in order to get the full effect of this new medication thats just for fibromyalgia patients. Anyhoo, I'm hanging...maybe by a very thin thread, but I'm hanging! And I'm still excited, that maybe one day in the short future, I may be free of much pain and have a body that has more functional parts. I'd appreciate any prayers on my behalf...
Now, on with 5 additional things I'm thankful for...

1. DOCTORS - Most spend so much time away from their loved ones, in order to care for ours.
2. BARGAIN BARN - (Montvale, Va.) I found some awesome fabrics here to make curtains and pillows for the Yellowstone.
3. A.C. MOORE - though I'm not usually too crazy about this store, I was thrilled to find that they still carry sewing thread. (Shame on Walmart for not!)
4. ZACH'S KITCHEN SKILLS - Finally, the teen can work the microwave, and fend for himself at lunchtime. Who knew??
5. FRIENDS & FAMILY - I know I've listed these 2 before, but I'm so thankful for them, I had to list them again.

Til next time, blessings to all!

Nature takes it's course...

Rain gauge as of this morning...
The critter climbs to the top of the doghouse to digest his 'fill'...

Caught in the action of destruction!

And, again...

You ever noticed how things seem to go haywire when it's really dry or when there's a drought period? That is exactly what's been happening around our place of late. We've always had problems with squirrels eating the birdseed, etc., but look what I caught one mentioned critter doing a couple of days ago. It was actually chewing the wood off of Toby's house. And the deer...well, now they've been spotted chewing on my beloved clematis vines. I'm just not going to have all that, I tell ya!!

I am now armed w/ a huge spray bottle of 'Deer Away', but does anyone know where I might find me some 'Squirrel-B-Gone'?!? (Sorry Toby, my flowers come before the house that you don't even stay in, in the summer time!)

Thank the good Lord above, we did get some much needed rain yesterday. In fact, we got well above an inch, but I wonder if that was enough to stop some of the madness. Only time, and my camera will tell...

Til next time, blessings!

showers of rain...

There continues to be alot to do here in the hollow, but limited hands to do it with. Praise the Lord!...it's raining here this morning! It is a light rain, but I'm not knocking it.
My mother-in-law remains in a rehab facility, nearby and is slowly convalescenting. She has not progressed as well as the average patient would after hip surgery, due to other health issues, like 2 bad knees, a bad shoulder, heart problems and she's diabetic. We are, however, thankful that she is doing as well as she is.
As for me and my 'weaning process'...I'm doing fairly good. I am certain that this could be ten times worse, though I admit, it is bad enough. I am now 'down' to a low dosage of antidepressent, taken every 3rd day. Of course the days I get to take it are better than the ones without. I experience dizziness and nausea, so I try to limit my movements. I'm praying our garden won't become a mess, with me in this shape, and Tommy away at work during the week. You know mother nature waits for no one! And bless her heart, my MIL always looks so forward to this time of the year when she loads up on fresh veggies from our garden. She won't get to experience it at it's 'height', this season, though.
I know I stated earlier, that I would resume the wealthy Wednesday post this week. As you can see, I missed that deadline again. Oh well, there's next week, hopefully. So, while I wrap things up for now, I'd like to extend Birthday blessings(tomorrow) to a dear friend in NC, who never fails to remind me that she remembers me and our friendship. Thank you Nikki, for being 'you', and I wish you a day, as beautiful as you are!
Blessings to all!

Bryson and family...

While I'm having trouble putting one thought with another, I may have to post 'in pictures' for a few...sure you won't mind. Everybody loves pictures...right?

My dad entertaining himself and Zach, while waiting his turn to hold Bryson! My brother, Gil...with his 1st grandchild.

Meme(my mom) gets her hands on 'Bry'...

I get my hands on Bry!

Nicole, Dallas and Bry...

Bryson gets his first look at a 'choo choo'...(we all grew up extremely close to the railroad tracks)

Nicole, Zach and Bryson...

He fell asleep in Zach's big, soft and cuddly arms...

He's smiling at his mama...and he watches her every move.

Bryson Ray Hopper...you are such a cutie! I enjoyed my visit with you. Looking for ward to the next one...

I think it's safe to say he'll be a 'ham'. He's already a camera hog. But, that's great cause I love taking me some pictures!! And what better subject could there be than an ever changing baby?

Blessings!

Funky Friday...

I really shouldn't call today's post 'funky', but I couldn't help myself. (I'll be a better person tomorrow) The good news is my MIL had her hip surgery yesterday w/o complications that were expected. She is doing remarkably well and will remain in the hospital for a couple of days before being moved to a rehab facility, where she'll 're-coop' for a couple of weeks. We are thankful for the success of her operation. We are thankful for so much more, as well, so my intentions are to continue the wealthy Wednesday posts next week. I'm afraid travel 'lag' and emotions have gotten the best of me on this day...hence the post title, but I'm determined to get through this 'weaning' stage of some meds. I'm stronger than all this...my Lord told me so in prayer this morning. And He reminded me that he's riding this roller coaster with me. So there! Take that and run with it, devil!! Bet I beat ya to the finish line!
Blessings, everyone!

a very long day, yesterday...

Yesterday while I was away in NC, my mother-in-law fell and broke her hip. She is scheduled to have surgery today around 1pm. Please remember her in prayer, as she is riddled with other health issues, as well.
My head is spinning this morning as what to do first...so much needs attending. We need groceries...the garden needs attention...grass needs mowing...still some unpacking to do and clothes need washing.
I did see my doctor yesterday in NC, and I'm having to be weaned off my antidepressent totally before she feels I will get full effect of this new medicine I'm trying...so...(I was taking a very strong dosage and had been for some time), I ask that you hold me up in prayer, as well. I pray that as I'm coming off this drug altogether over the next few weeks, that I will experience little withdrawal symptoms. (I'm already experiencing very 'blue' days) I was also informed that this will get worse, before it gets better! I've accepted the fact that I could be in for a rocky ride, as well as embracing the idea of hope...hope for a better 'tomorrow'(so to speak). If months down the road, there's a chance that I could be feeling, even 50% better than I do today...I'm willing to "travel through the fog".
Tommy's took the day off, of course, to be at the hospital with his mom. We pray that all goes well and Nanny's surgery will be successful, without any complications. Due to the surgery and such, I think I'll wait to post "thankfuls" and photos I took while in NC. I got to see Bryson and he's a cutie...you'll see! So, til next time, blessings to all!

A good holiday...

This is my dad, doing what he does best...talking...oh, and he's having his morning coffee, too!We had another truck load of beans come in while my parents were here. They had already snapped about a 1/2 bushel before I thought to grab the camera.

Dad showing us his 'bounty'...

Mom showing us ....umm...hers!!(actually, you can't see hers in the photo)

Toby and Gracie taking a rest in front of the porch on July 4th...
(man, dogs live the life, don't they?)Gracie doesn't belong to us but she spends alot of time at our house...we claim her just the same.

Oh my goodness, it was a great holiday here in the hollow. We had a good visit with mom and dad. We grilled out 2 nights out of the 3 that they were here and also made homemade ice cream twice. We're so bad! We visited an orchard while they were here. They got some tomatoes, cantaloupes, nectarines, blackberry preserves, and watermelon rind pickles to take back with them. They helped us snap more beans to can. They left yesterday morning...with Zach in tow! I'm going down today as I have a checkup with my doctor in the morning at 9am. I'll spend the night with them and I'll already be there in the morning for my appt. and won't have to make the 2 hour drive down so early. It's like "killing two birds with one stone", so to speak.

I just found out that Nicole, Dallas, and Bryson are going to be visiting Mom and dad this weekend, so I may just have to pop back down there and see how much the little booger has grown. It's alot of running for me(you know the 'one that doesn't travel well', anymore), but it's worth it. One of these days, I don't want to look back and have regrets...and say, "if only I had done this or that".

And I'm sure that the garden will have some more treasures for us by the weekend. We've canned 50 quarts of beans so far off of 3 rows and we have another 2 rows that's beginning to produce. Tomatoes are beginning to turn, cucumbers are growing, squash and zucchini will be coming out the 'ying yang'...oh, and we've got cantaloupes getting ready to ripen. Corn is coming along but not near ready yet. The next few weeks, I'll be making icicle pickles, pickling squash, making Zucchini bread and jam, canning more beans and canning tomatoes, so if I'm MIA, you'll know what I'm up to.

Oh, and my dear friend, Rhonda, came through her back surgery well, and is doing great! No pain!! I am tickled for her for this successful outcome.

My wealthy Wednesday post will be later than usual this week, due to my trip to NC today. So, if I don't post tomorrow evening, it just may become a "thankful Thursday" post this week! But, that's ok...it's all blessings, no matter what day of the week they appear. So, til next time...I hope your cup runneth over!

Happy 4th of July!!

Minature old glory flapping in the gentle breeze...

Showing my patriotism...(click on for better view)

My mom and dad are here!! Here they are checking out Zach's truck, a 1989 Ford Dually...
Happy Independence Day to you all. You might celebrate by grilling out and taking in a fireworks display tonight. You may celebrate because you're on 'vacation'. Or you may commemorate the holiday in a totally different fashion, altogether. But...just do it...Celebrate the freedom and Independence of our beloved nation! And take a minute to remember our great forefathers and the brave souls who fought to get us where we are today. Til next time, blessings! ('cause right now I'm headed to the porch to snap some beans!)

plunking right along...

...up on the housetop...click click click...
DH in the distance...mowing

I think his tractor's sexy...

..a pond with a view...

The list of things to do is dwindling on down now. I must say...I'm exhausted! I think some wise person once said, "There's always something to do if you'll just do it". (And if not, then it should have been said!)

Zach had a couple of friends over today to do some fishing. I went out to take a few pics of them and got sidetracked...I thought the view of the mountains behind our pond were so pretty, I started snapping them, then discovered DH bushhogging the field closest to our house. I snapped pics of him, too. I now discover, though, that I didn't get any pics of Z and his friends. That's what happens to me alot...the fibro fog throws me off course! So, maybe next time.

I'm excited that I have just one more sleep before Mom and Dad arrive. Looking forward to this Independence Day weekend with them. Til next time, blessings!

Wednesday blessings...

Oh my goodness...it's Wednesday. The days are passing by so quickly(I know I say this all the time), that I have to stop and think about what happened the day before. I'm having major trouble keeping up as this week remains full of stuff to do. And it's not all fun stuff either. The fun stuff starts on Friday when my parents get here....yeeeeeehaaaw!! We will grill out, visit the orchards for some peaches and nectarines, do some fishing, and make some homemade ice cream. If we're lucky, we'll also get to see a nearby fireworks display. So, now that you know our plans for the 4th, I'll get on with my wealthy Wednesday post...

1. MY PARENTS - I'm so blessed to have both my parents, still alive...and still married to one another.
2. FREEDOM - I take it for granted sometimes, but truly thankful for the opportunity to live the life that so many others have sacrificed theirs for.
3. USA - I wouldn't want to live in any other country.
4. READING GLASSES - I'm nearsighted and wear contact lenses to correct my vision, but as I get older, I can't see a darned thing up close, without 'readers'!
5. PRAYER - We should pray without ceasing! I am so guilty of NOT doing this, but I rely on prayer more often than 'not'. It's a powerful constant in my life.

In closing today, I'm asking for your prayers for a very special friend of mine. Rhonda is scheduled to have back surgery today at 1pm. She has several ruptured discs, and has been in excruciating pain for 2 months. I pray that this procedure will be succesful and eliminate her pain, altogether. Til next time, blessings to all!