AND---4 Months Later

Did I tell you my son got married in January??? This is he & his lovely wife. They are the most adorable couple--they compliment one another so well

This is one of the engagement pics with their "baby" Smokey.

And, below--the loves of my life: Hank & his little brother Mack. They have moved back to town & live within 4 miles of us, so anytime the phone rings and Hank wants to see me---well, need I even say it?????

Where does the time go? Have you noticed the days spin so quickly that suddenly it's July 4 and then it's later????

Catering has been going so well. We feel that God has really had his hand on this venture. Even as the economy slowed to the pace of a snail on valium, the orders still came. The work has been consistant. We even have 2 employees & I have to tell ya---it sure has made a difference in my days. Oh, we still work 12 & 14 hour days, 7 days a week, but I have them to help me bear up under the load!

One of these days I'll try to get some of my recent cakes on the blog. As of right now, they are stored on the home computer & I'm sitting at the kitchen waiting for potatoes to boil.

Random thought--I have to really watch my attitude when I get bone tired. That's when the pity parties begin! Just the other day I was whining to myself things such as "I have a terrible headache" " My arthritis is killing me this week" and so forth. And would you believe, I began to think about my Aunt Dora Ann--whom I haven't thought about in years! Aunt Dora Ann had rhuematoid arthritis and died from complications of that illness at age 48, and that was a good 25 years ago. But one thing Aunt Dora Ann never, ever, EVER did was complain or think of herself! She had 6 children and she continued to sew for them & cook for them even when she was confined to a wheel chair. And as I was lamenting my aches & pains, I realized that Aunt Dora Ann would LOVE, I mean "jump up and down" love to trade places with me. Always with a smile on her dear face and a twinkle in her eyes, she would come here and visit her kids, the grandkids she never saw, hug her husband--the love of her live, and bear up under any pain to be with them for a bit.

So, complaining--whining--boo-hooing life's challenges--BE GONE! I shall take life by the reigns & find the wonder in each day.

If I am hurting from working the fingers to much I will give thanks! I am here and have the ability to do so. And those hurting hands can still touch the faces of my little Hank & Mack.

Life is what you want from it. Attitude is 90% of the journey. Bitterness and hatred settle into the bones and leach the life, leaving only pain and sorrow. Joyfullness and child like wonder rejuvenate the spirit and add years of life.

Ok, so much for the random thought. It's just what happened to zip through the mind.

Anyhoo--hope all are enjoying life!

Just Stopping In ~~~~

Hey blogfriends! It's been a wild ride around here. New grandson on Dec 3, hubby had stroke on Jan 8, son married on Jan 30 & shoulder surgery on Feb 18. Whew--all that and a catering kitchen to run. But, it's amazing what one can do when pushed.


I have discovered that I can function with one good arm & one in a sling. I kind of resemble a Tyranasorus Rex--two arms held up to the chest. I'm thinking I'd make a good comedy sketch! I have learned that I CAN frost & decorate a full sized sheet cake, pull homemade rolls, roll out dough, and on and on with this "handicap". It's all between the ears--what you determine.



My jonquils are blooming--I think what I like best about them is their determination. It's been cold, rainy, cloudy, and yet they stick out their little yellow heads to see what's going on in the world. And the color they add to the dreary days is inspiring. I want to be a daffodil. In spite of the clouds around, I want to add color & hope to each & every day. Pansies have the same trait. They bloom amidst the snow & stay til it gets too warm. Kind of a promise of things to come. They arrive when we are so tired of gray days and yucky weather and tell us to "keep watching---the best is yet to come". And aren't they right? Soon all of the summer flowers and foliage will be in full bloom and we'll take for granted the beauty. We'll forget about the winter blahs, and fill our homes with the blooms that create such life. So right now--I"ll be a pansy or a daffodil and hope for the brighter, sunnier, more colorful days that are sure to arrive.



Have a great weekend.

It's Been A Month To Speak Of!!!

I don't think I remembered to wish all of you happy new year!! So, happy new year! And what a year. It started off with a BIG BANG in our household. On Jan 8, hubby was taken by ambulance to the hospital, where he was first diagnosed with a TIA (look it up-too much explaining for me). But after an MRI, CT Scan, Angiogram, EKG, it was determined he had a full blown stroke. Yes, those were the technical words right from the Dr's mouth--full blown stroke. It happened in the cerebellum. Because he was in good physical health otherwise, he had no lingering side effects. After much testing (blood pressure/low, bad cholesterol/120, no plaque build-up), and no answers, he was given an ultrasound scope of his heart, and lo and behold---he had ASD. Now for all of you novice medical persons (of which I USED to be one) that means he had a hole in the upper chamber of his heart which allowed a blood clot to pass back into the blood stream. Apparently he is NOT the first to have this--??? (although you'd never know that by talking with him), he probably has had this since birth. It shows up later in life. So, the treatment was to have a GORE HELEX spiral occulater (aren't you impressed???) inserted to close the hole. The procedure was done like that of a stint insert--they go in both arteries in his legs with a camera and fishing line (not really) and insert a disc on both sides that closes via a wire run through the middle. Now he's back to "good as normal". But it did make for a scary time and alot of hospital visits!

And, did I tell you that our little Mack (left hand side) was born Dec 3? He's Hank's brother and quite the little doll.. actually, he looks just like Hank at that age. I think they are going to be carbon copies!! Next to Mack is his second cousin, Jacob, born in Sept. The two girls are first cousins! On this side of the family there are 6 little ones under the age of 4! Second cousin, Daisy, was born Dec 21. Don't you know next Christmas will be a hoot and a holler!!!

On to the next event---our son is getting married Jan 30. You guessed it---I'm preparing the reception food, cake, grooms cupcakes, and cookie favors!!! Glad I have a professional kitchen & employees to help with this!!!

We just love his fiance--she's already become like our daughter!

Well, now I have to run--have a women's meeting to attend---you know, go and plan some big hoop-de-do so I'll have something to do. I really need something to do. I think I have from 1 - 4 in the mornings open, and we wouldn't want idle time!! ha ha ha

Just checking in---will talk more later.