Blog Hopping

I have been spending some time these past days visiting blogs of strangers who are fantastically talented and generous in sharing their gifts. I am truly amazed each time I venture into blogland, at the variety and scope of talent out there. And I do spend a little time wondering why I just didn't get very much of it. But no bother, I am thankful for eyes that I can see others visions brought to life. I love gathering ideas and wish I could also gather time to put them into my own little creative niche. I garnered an idea from a couple of different blogs,(sorry I didn't write them down and now cannot find them again to give credit). I thought it was so sweet that I had to try my hand at altering a baby shoe into a pin cushion. Mine are quite different but I was pleased with the way they turned out. I got crazy on ebay and bought 4 different pairs plus one lonely little boot. I have finished 3 and am in the middle of number 4, hoping to get it finished shortly. Just waiting for an uninterrupted hour. Here are a couple of them. Sorry the pictures are not fabulous but they really are cute in real life. And most important of all, I had fun making them. I kept thinking of a quote by artisit Thomas Kincade that I used in a speech for a class I took once upon a time. "What a joy it is to be able to create something. Creativity is one of the great priviliges of being human. The benefits of creative endeavor don't necessarily depend on the quality of the endeavor. It is the very act of creating that renews you." I was renewed that day for a short while. I find that when life is just overwhelming for me, if I can take a minute and just craft for a bit, I am better, mentally and emotionally. So thank you to all of the wonderful artists out there in bloggerville who inspire and motivate me. I will probably never achieve artist level but I do enjoy a good craft.

No Fools Here!

I remember a friend bringing me hand dipped chocolates one April 1st. Of course I didn't realize that was the date or I might have been a little leery. They looked lovely and I was so touched that she would bring me such a delightful gift. I took a big yummy bite and got a huge mouthful of chocolate covered cotton! We had a great laugh! I thought about making some for my grand kids but while giving mom a breathing treatment,she suggested they might choke. I guess!!! She told me her mother used to make pancakes and put a rag in one. I thought that was a clever idea. She said her oldest sister,Violet, would usually get it. And she would yell, "Burned again!" Seems she was usually the target of the practical jokes around the ranch and always a good sport. I don't think I did anything worse than putting salt in the sugar bowl when I was a kid. And I'm not even sure if I did it or my brothers were the culprits. Speaking of brothers, I should post a picture of the whole gang. It was the first time all of the siblings were together since my dad died 13 years ago. My mother was thrilled and it was a pleasant evening for everyone. My two older brothers have since returned to the North, leaving me here with my younger ones. Mike is 8 years younger and is a blessing to me. He tries to help all he can. I don't see much of Tim, 4 years younger. Mom is very weak these days and sleeps off and on, both day and night. I am so glad she got her wish for all of her children to be in the same room one more time. Well, here's to April Fools everywhere and to Spring, new life, and patience in trials!!!

Lexi's First Birthday

We were talking last night about children's birthdays. Why is it that the first child always gets the big bash on their first and the other kids get a cake if they're lucky?? Lexi was one year on St. Patrick's Day. I managed to get the cupcake made and left the rest up to the family. We had a little party with a few cousins so it wasn't that bad. At least we have a photo to show her when she grows up!!!




She got into it and even managed a bite on her own!

YUM!!!!

Three For Three

I got the Giant CupCake pan before Christmas and decided my resolution for the New Year would be to bake each grandchild a giant cupcake for their birthday. So far I have done it, starting in January for Tiny, then Lino and Buddy. Tomorrow is Lexi's big numero uno so will be baking a pink one for her. Sabra put a pick of Buddy's cake on her blog but I am going to post one too, for the two people that read my blog:) Buddy came to play a couple of days after his birthday and wanted to know why he didn't get the gumball on his cake. He was very excited at the time about the soccer balls. So I remided him he liked the soccer balls but he still wanted the gumball. I told him I did have a red one or a pink or white one. "I think I'll take a blue one." "I don't have a blue one." "Well, you can go down to my dad's shop and take a quarter and get a blue one, or a green one." What a wonderful little boy. I just love that kid!!! Anyway, here are my boys with their cakes! Happy Birthday to all four of my favorite little people born in the months of January and March!!!

Ides Of March

Twenty years ago yesterday,the Ides Of March, we moved into our house on Bardeaux. Crazy where that twenty went. Our life has changed so drastically, and mostly in the last month! But that's whining for another day I suppose. Anyway, Ceaser died and yesterday my mother fell down. Scared the living right out of me!! Then I was so mad, I mean sooooo mad!! And that is for another day too. I really can't be positive right now so I better move on!!!

March Onward

March, it came in like a lamb! Though most days I feel like I have been mauled by a lion,today however, was an exceptionally good day following an exceptionally good night. Mom slept from 11pm to 5am with a pit stop and then on into the morning, finally rousing around 9:30. We got dressed and had breakfast, then moseyed out for a spin in her stroller. We had a great laugh about how you start out life in diapers with someone pushing your stroller and you pretty much end life the same way. I almost dumped her out of the wheel chair, getting her out the door. Then I forgot to lock the brakes while I was hooking up the dog's leash and looked up to see her rolling down the street. I didn't even know the street sloped! We talked,laughed,looked at birds, well I looked and pointed, she couldn't see much. But she did like the smells and sun on her face. It was a good day! Then my brother form Montana arrived. She always loved Larry. He could make her laugh when no one else could. Happy days!!! Hoping for another restful night! Thanks to you who commented on the previous post with your kind and inspiring words. I appreciate them more than you could know.

Life and Learning

How is it, that one minute everything is perfect, for the most part, and then....
Tom and I were at lunch a few weeks ago and I told him that I had been having thoughts about how our life was so blessed. I was thinking about the trials and adversities we have had. I wondered if those were my refiner's fire or was there something larger, more defining in our future. Was I to be tried so much more that perhaps I would not make it through? Where I would question my faith? Was I to have some trial perhaps, that would break me or at least mold me painfully? Would I be able to overcome? And he said he had been thinking along the same lines. We have been so blessed in our lives, our family, our business. What payment would be required at the Lord's hand? How would He choose to refine, define, and make us what we need to be to inherit what He has for us? Anyway, it was a great discussion over tacos at our favorite restaurant. And then WHAM!! Life as we knew ended one Friday night a few days later. On Feb. 12 to be exact! One of those dates that must surely have cosmic overtones!!!(Both of my grandmothers were born on that day.) I went to lunch with friends to celebrate one of their birthdays and then came home for a little siesta. Life is good! Went to dinner and a movie with dear hubby! Came home and just sat down for a little relaxing before bed and the phone rang. I usually won't answer it but since it was about 10:30 I thought it might be important. It was. My mother was on the other line gasping for breath. "Come, I need you!" And we went. And life was never the same again. By Tues. it was evident that she would never be able to be on her own again and there was no way my brother and I could make it work, taking turns at her home. So I made the decision to bring her home. Tom supported me fully, the devoted and wonderful husband that he is. We called all of the family and many came to bid farewell. We thought it was imminent. The nurses at Hospice thought it was imminent! Maybe it still is! That was 2 weeks ago. When the family started arriving, Mom rallied. She is still weak as a kitten and has to be fully tended but she is still very much with us most of the time. One more brother is due to arrive on Tues. With her medication, she is still able to breathe and her sweet litte heart continues to pump, though very very softly and slowly. I don't know how long she will be with me but I count these moments precious. That is not to say this is not the biggest trial of my life thus far. If you know me, you know I have a somewhat, shall I say, aggravating?, relationship with my mom? From the time I was very young, we butted heads. But now, I am being molded in patience, compassions, long-suffering (especially the nights!),and in doing good. I am learning that is hard to put your needs, wants, and desires all on hold, not knowing for how long, to do the hard things needed doing for someone else. Life is not easy these days. Some days I want to cry and say, Give me my life back!! But someday I will have it back and that will mean I won't have my sweet wonderful mother to kiss and tuck in at night. She used to tuck me in and sing me a little song, " Ship Ahoy". Now it is my turn to tuck her in and sing to her, to hold her hand when she can't get her breath and tell her it will be all right. It is a privilege to be her daughter. She has born many sorrows in her life, and I am blessed to be able to help her through this end of times. She is gracious and so very grateful, never forgetting to thank me for letting her come home with me,like I could let her go anywhere else. Looking on her, so frail and slight, I am amazed by her inner strength. Though we have locked horns many times through out our lives, she is truly my hero and I am blessed among daughters.