HOUSTON...We Have SNOW!

A snow event for us is big news.  We live about 1 hour inland from the North Carolina Coast and it's just not something that happens for us.  Any snow...is big news for us!  We get 1/2 inch and businesses close, schools close...in other words...we SHUT down!  I know that may seem awfully silly to some of you.  But one reason is that we don't have the emergency preparedness  that other locations have.  I guess we do have a salt truck...but not sure I have ever seen one here nor a plow!  Funny I know.  But I have seem many Christmases where we wear shorts and tank tops...yep...hot is our name around here!

When the forecast came that it looked favorable, I like everyone else made sure we had the staples.  But I didn't just go for bread and milk...I planned my snow day menu!  Chili Beans!  Yum...and corn bread muffins!  Last night, we didn't even have the predicted rain by bedtime. I was quite discouraged when I went to bed around 12.  But I awaken around 5-ish and there it was...I had even left the deck light on so I could see if it had been snowing out my bedroom window.  And it had...and it did...and a lot!  Actually, it has snowed all day today.  Sometimes big flakes, some times fine flakes.  But snow.

I have spent much of the day right here on the sofa in a room I call my Sun~Porch.  Most folks would call it a Florida Room I guess...but sun~porch it is.  Anyway, it has 3 walls of glass 1/2 way up.  I love it out here...especially when it snows.  It is heated space, so that is not an issue.  My dog Chloe has enjoyed my being out here as well.  She will get on the top of the sofa and look all around at the snow and such.  It has been very peaceful.  No TV on, no one but me and Chloe in here, and my new laptop! 

Another benefit of snow is snow cream.  Now...I don't know if any of you grew up like I did, but the rule of thumb was NO SNOW CREAM from the first snow of the season!  Well, living where I live, that rule got ditched years ago!  It was believed to have something to do with purifying the air....whatever...I eat it when I get it!  I now add a little Coconut Rum to the mixture and that makes it all the more relaxing & yummy!

My 88 year old father in law lives with us.  Well, I should say we share a house together...because he does so much for us and is not a burden at all.  Very healthy, self sufficient.  But anyway, he was worried about the birds finding food  a while ago.  Gammie, my 3 year departed Mother in law, was a bird lover.  She was always concerned about the little birds.  He mentioned she would be worried if she were here and he was going to get bundled up and go out to give them some bread. So I proceeded to get bread and go out quickly so he would not have to and it would ease his mind.  I have bread everywhere...but haven't seen a bird near it!!!  Oh well...maybe they will get it later this evening.  The dog did have a few pieces when she went out to potty though!

Well...a pure winter wonderland for us.  It is gorgeous.  I  love it.  But maybe that is because I can stay in and not be out in it!  If you have snow, enjoy...if not, then feel free to enjoy my pictures! 

Christmas Trees & Stuff...

Just getting over Thanksgiving wears me out.  If you read my blog, you know that we have 32 folks...for 4-5 days.  So I spend the week following just resting...seriously.  Of course I have to work, but usually when I get home, I am wiped out and don't want to do anything extra.  I do "fix" a few little things each day like gather the "pumpkin" themed items to one place like candles and all...but not much else. 

So then comes the first weekend of December.  That is usually when I finally start transitioning items from Thanksgiving to Christmas.   Well, there is a great possibility that my son, his wife and the granddaughters are not going to come back here for Christmas.  They live in TN and the 7 hour drive turns into 9 hours for them due to potty breaks, stop breaks, walk breaks...it is hard for little ones to travel in booster seats and seat belts that are restricting.  I totally understand.  We are so grateful to have had them here for Thanksgiving for an entire week. It was awesome and like a healing balm to a wound!  So we all are trying to figure out how to get together for Christmas/New Years.  I have said all of that to say this...I don't think I will put up a BIG tree this year.  After having discussed this with my 88 year old Father-in-law who lives with us, we both agreed... wholeheartedly.  My husband doesn't mind at all, just so he doesn't have to do any of it!

So with that decision made, I decided to have several Mini-Tree's and some of our routine Christmas decorations.  This all sort of came to me as the day progressed.  I spotted my Mother-in-law's ceramic tree that she made back around 1970.  She loved that little tree and I have tried to use it somewhere every Christmas.  Gammie, as she was lovingly known by the grand kids, died in our home 3 years ago with Hospice.  She had desired cremation and for her urn to be buried in a grave plot beside her parents.  The burial was planned, and about 3 days prior, my Father-in-law said he just couldn't do it yet.  After reassuring him that was his choice, we decided to wait until he was ready.  He still isn't.  So Mom's urn sits in a corner of our Living Room.  Dad set it up with pictures, her father's bible, a Tiffany lamp she loved and a few other items.  It is like a memorial for her.  And that is OK.  He speaks to her each morning.  They were married 61 years.  So this year, I placed the little ceramic tree oh her table.  She loved to "hand-quilt" and made many little table runners.  I decided to place one there as well.  As I was setting this up, I noticed the tree base has a music box inside.  Never knew that.  I wound it up and it played Silent Night...it turned out to be a special little place for her...Dad was pleased.

While I was gathering the ceramic tree, I noticed a plastic grocery bag tied up in my Christmas decorations tub.  I don't usually use those in there b/c I like to "see" what is in the tub and use zip lock bags.  So as I opened it up I realized that they were my Mother's Christmas tree ornaments!  I immediately started to cry.  Mother died in May of this year.  She had been staying with my sister and we made the decision to sell her house.  It had basically been un-lived in for 2 years.  Every now and then, someone would take her by there for a "drive-by" and sometimes I even took her there to spend a weekend.  She wanted us to sell it for her...so we did.  After the sale, we had the job to clear out her things.  That was a job!  Anyway, I remember the "who wants this" type of questions about many things.  I'm not sure why I spoke up about her ornaments...but I did.  We often giggled at Mother's little tree throughout the years.  Her ornaments weren't ornate, nor did they have a certain theme...nor quality.  Most of them were from many years past.  Lots of grandchildren ones, some homemade, and quite a few crocheted angels that probably an elderly friend from church made for Mother.  When I opened the bag, a rush of the past came over me.  I had a table top tree that I put on my foyer table and went about designing a Snowflake & Angels tree as a tribute to my Mother.  It turned out sweet...Mother would be proud.  Feels like I have Mother with me for Christmas.

As I looked further in the tub, I came across these sweet angels of Mother's.  They were really cute.  Love their sweet faces.  Think she always had these in her living room on the drop-leaf table.  Found these balls last week in one of my "thrift" shopping expeditions...they matched perfectly!!!  Almost as if it were planned...hmmm.

Well, while describing my deco, let me go ahead.  Our church supports a local ministry that helps women who are recovering from drug/alcohol addiction.  In our WMU meetings, I had heard of Valley of Hope and the different needs they have there.  Then on Friday, I received our Association's newsletter and again saw a post about Valley of Hope.  But this time, they had just opened a Thrift Store in my town to help meet the needs of the ministry.  Well, let me tell you, I LOVE a thrift store.  Probably b/c my mother took me to them often while I was growing up!  Anyway, I decided to go by there and check it out yesterday.  While there, I found this neat sleigh.  Perfect for a hearth or table arrangement.  Well, I had been asked to "decorate a table" for our churches Senior Citizen Singles Dinner.  Something we do annually for the community seniors who have lost their spouses.  A great outreach.  Well, this sleigh will be my table top center piece!  Love it!!!

As it turns out...and it's not over yet... I am enjoying this "Mini" Christmas this year!  I had no idea it would be so sentimental. 

Even though this is panning out to be a very different Christmas for me...no visit to see my Mother, my grandchildren not being here on Christmas Day, my son and daughter-in-law not here to celebrate with...it is still being special.  I find that Kent & I have been reaching out this season already.  Adopting rest home residents, buying toys for the Toy Store for underprivileged families going through bit of a hard time and the Senior Citizens...it's going to be good...my daughter and her husband will be here...and we'll figure out some New Year's plans for everyone to be together.

Oh dear Lord...I've gotten old...

Last night was our annual Christmas Awards Banquet.  I still have a STACK of clothes on the chair in my bedroom of where I was trying to find something to wear!  Took me 45 minutes to finally pick out something I could live with...do you feel me?!?!?!?  Seriously....I found nothing I was happy with...so I picked the best of "nothing" and went with it.

Once I made the decision to pick something out I made sure my make-up was good and hair too so I would feel good about me.  I knew I had to make a presentation for the "Nurse of the Year" award so I wanted to look half way decent.  Well today, one of my co-workers posted a picture of me.  Now, it was not a posed picture.  I had no idea she took one until now.  It was on my facebook page where she had tagged me.  I promptly "untagged" myself from it!  It was awful.  I was old and saggy!  When did this happen!!!

You know, I don't mind getting old...I don't think.  But I want to do it classicly, with grace.  I looked terrible!!!  Not nearly like I felt "inside"!  I thought I was having a good hair night...you know what I'm saying???  Have you noticed some folks are so photogenic it is amazing....well, not me.  This picture to the left was posed....and cropped!!!

But, alas...the camera doesn't lie....how very dissappointing....who is that old woman!!??!!

New WW...and Me

Well...my Tuesday night WW turned out to be a big FAT "0"!  The meeting was rescheduled due to conflict and was held on Monday night which 1) I didn't know about and 2) didn't matter, I had BOD meeting that night.  So, I found another place to go on Wednesday and got all the materials and heard a brief portion on the meeting.

Well.  Looks like the main emphasis is based on total nutrition...including an emphasis on Carbs...which has not been that way with WW before.  Well...I must confess...I am a HUGE Carb addict...carboholic if you will....!

I don't know if that has anything to do with it...but I am starved today!  First of all...I don't like depriving myself of pleasurable eating.  I'm selfish.  I'm impatient.  I'm a big baby when it comes to food.  I want it now.  The way I want it.  When I want it...and First!

In the past 2 months, I have not been obedient to the WW Plan.  And up until Thanksgiving I had only gained 2-3 lbs.  However, when I weighed in on Thursday at the meeting I had gained 5 lbs.!  Yikes!!!  So, I need to "Just say no"....to ME!!!

So...guess I'm just confessing....

Later...Sue Ellen

A New Start

 

I just LOVE~LOVE~LOVE a new start!  Gives me that "2nd Chance" feeling to fix a mess-up!  An opportunity to "correct a  wrong"...anyone with me on that!!!  A new start can be huge or little in regards to dates.  For example...can be as simple  as a Sunday...1st day of the Week...or Monday...first day of the "work week"...could be the 1st day of the Month...or year....see where I am headed!?!?!  

When I found out a couple of weeks ago that the WW Plan was changing...I started to get excited!  I knew this was going to be a 2nd chance.  This could be a do-over.....!  This is the official roll-out week for the plan.  Great timing...the week after all the Thanksgiving week binges! 


Tonight is my weigh-in and meeting night.  I am quite certain that I have gained some weight...I haven't done the plan in a couple of months even though I kept paying each month...but I KNEW the day would come soon that would inspire me to jump on again and go for the 2nd Chance!!!


So tonight is the night.  I am anxiously awaiting the loss of another bunch of pounds soon!  I feel it!!!

I'll keep you posted!

Thanksgiving at the Wells' Home!

Our home @ Thanksgiving!

Annie Gracie...my 2 yo granddaughter

This week, 20 years ago, we spent Thanksgiving Weekend moving into our newly built home.  We did much of the "grunt" work of our house ourselves due to finances.  Not the REAL labor mind you, but the minor, simple, time consuming stuff...painting, staining, etc.  With 3600 sq ft...that is a lot of painting & staining!!!  So on that weekend, my husbands family, all came from Atlanta, SC, and Richmond to help us move from the little house to the big one.  That was the beginning of "Thanksgiving in Warsaw" for my husbands Parents, Brothers & Sisters and their families.  They even laid our  brick walkway.  Just amazing folks.  They usually come starting on Tuesday evening and the last group leaves on Saturday. 

enjoying the football game

As a rule, I would cook the Thanksgiving meal, and sort of plan and guide the production of the other meals.  That remains the same.  This year, I pulled an all-nighter b/c the turkey was 22lbs and would tie up the oven too long and would compromise my "schedule".  So after everyone went to bed about 12mn...I began the BIG MEAL.  We traditionally have a huge country ham breakfast and the cooking needed to be somewhat at a stand-still for the 2:00pm Meal Time.  So it was the best way to handle it.

Cousins....chatting on a blanket

We've grown in numbers through the years.  This year, there were 32 of us.  Due to the fact that the children are no longer "little", it has gotten a bit much to "house" the whole group for that long of a period like we use to.  My son and his family and my daughter and her husband stayed with us.  But the others stay at a local motel right off I-40.  It is only 3-5 miles from our home...so it works.  They spend breakfast-to-bedtime with us.  We have a blast.

Chloe in pink...Caleb the maltese watching

32 PEOPLE!!!  Yes, it is crazy, but we laugh, talk bunches and yes...go a little crazy!  Did I mention all of our dogs too?  This year we were down in numbers.  We had our 2, then an additional 4.  Yeah...crazy.  And my NEW Shi Tzu/Pomeranian had to learn the crowd and she was a BARKER!  Oh well...we lived through it.

Dad giving THANKS

One of our favorite times, it just before our Thanksgiving meal, we go around the  room and state 1 thing we are thankful for.  Special time and special memories usually with a few tears shed along the way.  This year, DAD, just turned 88 years old, quoted scriptures about giving Thanks...it was very special...then we hold hands or wrap arms around each other and pray. 

The POOP BOWL in progress!

Thankfully, the rain held off a little and we ventured outside for several hours which helps with noise control and helps to maintain a little sanity while the 2nd cousins get a chance to play and work off some energy.  The older cousins always have a traditional "football" game...they call it the "Poop Bowl" b/c invariably someone steps in the left behinds of one of the dogs!  Gross...Sorry!  This year was an injury-free event.  Not always so fortunate...one dislocated shoulder required surgery in years past!!!  This Wells' crowd plays to win!!!

My Sweet Little Mother

Even with all the mayhem of it all...I couldn't help but think about MY family having their traditional Thanksgiving at my sisters house in Vale, NC...this was the first Thanksgiving without Mother.   I know they missed her so much.  Mother was the Matriarch of our family.  And she LOVED a family event.  In her heyday, she was an awesome cook.  We loved to eat at Mother's.  In fact, my Mother was known for her sage cornbread dressing. 

 

 

Beth...my sis

Every year, for 20 years, I have called her and gone over the recipe with her...never could get it right.  This year, I called my sister Beth  to go over the recipe and give me hints...she did & it turned out superb.  I missed hearing my Mother's encouragement to me on my preparation of her recipe......I appreciate Beth helping me on it. 

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving.  I did.  And I am Thankful. 

Watching the "Poop Bowl" Football game!

Alyssa...my 4 yo Granddaughter

lots of computer time for this group...

My Daddy Was A Veteran!

Happy Veteran's Day!

 

This is a picture of my Daddy.  

This photo was taken during his active service in the United States Navy.  He served and fought in WWII.  He looked so young.  But he was in his early 20's.  He had become the "Papa Rabbit" after his Daddy died when my father was only 17 years old.  He had to look after the family along with my Grandmother.  She never remarried.  Until daddy's death, his siblings looked to him as they would to a father for guidance.  So, Daddy had lived a "life" already.  Then he was in the Navy. 

It was during this time that  he felt the call to the Ministry.  After his discharge from the Navy, he returned home to the Rockingham area of North Carolina and set about enrolling at Wingate College where he obtained his BS degree and then finished his seminary training at Southeastern Theological and Luther Rice Theological Seminaries....all while making a family.  A hard time, a hard life, but that was my Daddy.  He was made of sturdy stuff!  That whole generation was.  It amazes me. 

I was, or course, not born.  After all, I am the baby of 4 children.  But I heard the stories of Daddy back in the day.  I heard Mother talk about the struggles they went through and she went through during those times.  Perseverance.

Daddy died of Cancer in 1993 after serving many, many years as a Southern Baptist Preacher.  Many lives were changed due to his obedience to God.  Including mine.

My Daddy was a mighty man of God.  He served his country, his family and his God well.

Thank You Daddy for your commitment.  I thank God I was privileged to be your baby girl. 

Happy Veteran's Day Daddy...





Keeping On Keeping On

Well...I'm still at it!  Been increasing my walking...and last night, even ran/jog some of the route!  That is huge for me!  Didn't matter that my inspiration was due to it being nearly dark out side and I was crossing 2 dam's where snakes are known to come crawling up onto the asphalt to absorb some of the sun's heat at nightfall!  It was lighter when I crossed them the first time and then to recross them it was almost pure dark...except for the full moon!  (Which by the way, was shear amazing...tangerine colored....very inspiring!)  I walked about 3.5 miles yesterday and today I have walked 2.5 miles already.  I'm am seriously trying to see how much I can lose this week on WW.  I did go way over my daily points yesterday but still have the weekly points I can dip into.  3lbs would be super duper...5 lbs would be magical...but I will settle for 2!

Yes, I have lofty goals...always have.  I strive to be above average.  My goal.  Sometimes I fail, so I just get back up and try again.  It's me.  

Guess that is not a bad way to be.  Kinda like as a Christian and trying to walk the "Christian Walk".  We stumble, we fall, but God is the God of second chances.  So off we go again....trying to get it right.  God is so good to us!

This weight loss thing is going well.  13lbs in 7 weeks may seem slow...it does to me.  But it sure feels good I must say!  I even bought some new jean Capri's in a smaller size this week.  Now that was good.  I can see it on my body everyday.  No one else may see it yet, but I do.  I love it.  

My goal is to get addicted to exercise again.  I was a few years ago and loved it!  I couldn't go to bed at night if I hadn't walked.  My brain just wouldn't allow it.  I had many a 10:00pm walks that year.   We all have addictions to something, might as well be to something good!  AGREED???!

Well, gonna get home and change clothes.  Rest a little first and then maybe log a few miles....yeah...that sounds like a plan...now let's just see if I do it!

Sue Ellen

Whew!

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

I had a "killer" day yesterday. Started out with our AC still broken and it staying between 84-89 degrees upstairs in our bedroom.

Then took hubby to MD about an hour away to schedule surgery on his foot from an old injury, then home long enough to grab my stuff and head out the door to get my hair did!

Then from there to Fayetteville...another hour, to be with my daguhter for her school open house. It is tradition that I help her out the first week of school sometime, and this was the only time I was available. I loved it! Meeting her children and seeing her classroom! She is amazing. Anyway, then left and went to her current house and ate and then to her new house to see the renovations in progress...then hours and 15 minutes back home. Got in around 9:45 about the time my hubby was coming in from a Deacon's meeting at church and he was starved! So fixed him a little something to eat, sat and talked a bout 20 minutes and then I crashed! Got up 3 times during the night and finally decided I couldn't sleep in the heat so I went downstairs to the guest room....again! I'm tired this morning! But ready for 4 meetings today! ttyl!

LATER......


Well, I survived today...went to WW Weigh In tonight...and....LOSS 2.6!!! Whoopie!!!  Met my goal for this week.  7.4 lbs to go for next 4 weeks!


YEA!

GOAL: 5 Weeks = -10

OK...today is 5 weeks away from a "Sisters Week to Hilton Head Island". We went together last year for the first time and had a blast just being together. On one particular day, we sat on a swing near the beach and a passerby offered to snap a picture of us...we were thrilled...that is until we saw it! YIKES! What happened to us! Our egos were deflated and we declared that next year, we would go back, sit on that same bench and reshoot the picture.




Well, we had a year to do this transformation. We have talked about it, dreamed about it, discussed about it ...but haven't done it! So, about 2 months ago, we started. Different diet plans, but nonetheless, trying. So now we have 5 weeks until that great week and I find myself slipping. I have lost 11 lbs, but am slipping on my diet. So I have decided that I will blog daily to make myself be even more accountable.

I chose to follow Weight Watchers.



Today, I have had my daily points: 21. Yea!






Then I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes...FAST!




Today, I feel good about my choices. Not the most active day in my life, but not a total couch potato either!



I have succeeded today!

time is passing....

Well,  it has been a while since I last posted.   A month or so to be exact.  I have been super busy with "stuff".  But I think the most exciting, positive thing I have done is lose some weight! Yea Me!!! I was inspired by a fellow blogger Beth in NC.  She is been heading toward her Destiny and I asked her once how she was doing this and she said WW.  Tried and true....just WW.

I was intrigued.  I have been a Weight Watcher member many times.  Yes, plural.  I have NEVER had success on it no matter what year I did it.  Mainly...b/c of my lack of following it.  It was too restrictive for me and much too slow.  I want instant results.  Seriously. I expect no less than 5-10 lbs a week.  Sad I know.

I had been getting emails from the last time I joined a few years ago.  Usually I deleted them without reading.  But I was "pondering" what diet plan I would comply to and decided to give it some thought.  Beth said she was on the Core Plan from WW.  I had never done the Core Plan and wondered if maybe that was the ticket for me.  When I researched the site, there was no option for the Core Plan. Hmmm....instead, there was the Momentum Plan.  So I made the decision.

I KNOW me well.  I'm visual.  I'm sneaky.  I cheat.  I'm non-compliant in the long range of things.  So the first thing was to go to a meeting + join on-line and use the tools.  I need the accountability to go face-to-face and weigh in...even as much as I hate it.  I need to "sit" through the meeting....even if just to hear what is being said or seeing someone reach their goal.   So that is what I've done.

It has been 7 weeks now.  The last 3 have been "ify" at best.  Which means I have eaten my daily points plus all my extra weekly points.  But that is ok...and considered OP in the weekly realm. 

I've lost 11 lbs.  My beautiful daughter, (see picutre at right), after my 1st week and losing only 3 lbs., said, "Go by Food Lion, go to the meat section, and look at 3 lbs of meat.   I was stunned!!!  That has been my routine each week now.  It gives me a visual.  Big time!!!  I picked up hamburger packets...All  11 lbs of it....it's heavy and a lot of mass!!!  WOW!!!  Even when I lost .2 of a lb.  I went through the same exercise and looked at the big picture.

Now, I can FEEL the loss.  My clothes fit great...meaning that they are loose or no longer cutting me in half.  I love it!

Oh, don't get me wrong. I have a long way to go...I don't even know my goal yet.  But that's ok.  I'm eating lots, enjoying the new feeling of ME again, and living the plan.  And, by the way, the Momentum Plan is amazing.  You can eat ANYTHING you want....just count it!  "If you bit it...write it"!  Everyone that I have seen reach their goal says you must write it down!!!  Otherwise, you forget and the extras add up!

Can't wait to show you the end result!

Sue

Friday's

I love a Friday...seriously.  The excitement of what is ahead for 2 whole days makes me exuberant!  I love making a plan of what I want to accomplish.

Tomorrow & Sunday....

I plan to tackle and organize my bathroom under-sink cabinets. 

I plan to move a desk that I painted last weekend upstairs. 

I plan to rearrange my sun-porch furniture.

I plan to mow the backyard with my new push mower if not raining.

I plan to clean out  & organize my hall closet.

I plan to clean & organize my upstairs landing.

Okay, looks like I'm setting my "LOFTY" goals again!

Lets see how many I get done!

TTYL...Sue Ellen. 

The Hate Machine

The treadmill.  I can't believe I spent Christmas money on this contraption about 3 years ago.  Thought I always wanted one. And did.  I've used it seldom in the past years.  But, due to the horrific heat lately, I decided that if I were ever going to start walking for exercise again...it would have to be on the treadmill.

See, I joined, no re-joined WW last week.  This is not a new experience for me.  I've joined several times.  I'm determined that this time will be a new experience...so far it has been. 

I joined an online challenge on the WW site.  Walking...30 Min's 2 times a week and 45 Min's 4 times a week.  I really want to succeed at this.  I use to be an avid walker.  Usually 4 miles per day.  I loved it.  No, craved it.  It was very addictive.  And satisfying.  I couldn't go to sleep at night until I got my walk in after work.  I got out of the habit in 2005 after my hysterectomy.  Two weeks post-op I decided I could walk and started out on my usual trek to realize about 1/2 mile into it that I was in no shape to do this yet.  I thought I would have to crawl back to the house.  The MD informed me that I wasn't allowed to walk for exercise until 8 weeks!!!  OOPS!!!  And haven't ever been able to get back to it.  Good habits are hard to start and easy to stop....

But, back to the treadmill story.  So, I have it set up downstairs in the finished part of the basement.  Usually, it is out of sight, out of mind.  Right now, it is 10 pm and it is 80 degrees outside.  I could walk in that temp...but like I said...its 10pm!  Not so scared of peeps as much as I'm scared of critters.  Remember...I live in the country!  So, I'm walking on the dreadmill...I mean treadmill!

Each night, I've watched TV while walking.  And to be bearable, I've taken a break after 15 or 20 Min's to break it up and make it doable!  And I've been hating it!  Forcing myself to take it one step at a time.  But, while walking tonight, I notice the time seemed to be going by more quickly?!?!?!  Could I be creating a new habit again...?  Yea!...maybe a SPARK is starting.....I sure hope so!

(PS:  If my treadmill were to break...I would be upset...so please don't think I'm ungrateful!)

A Full House...

We basically have 3 households...in one.  Yep.  That's a lot of stuff. 

Twenty years ago after living in a mobile home and then an 1100 square foot house for about 10 years, we built the "then" house of our dreams.  Around 3500 sq ft.  Huge compared to our previous living quarters.

But bigger house, means more junk to keep and not get rid of as you should!

The pile grows....

Then 8 years ago, Kent's aging parents sold their home near Atlanta and moved their cummulated belongings of 60-ish years of marriage to our home.  They pared down by all means...many of the kids got furniture items (thank goodness) but they still brought plenty...a truck load. 

The pile grows again....

Then in May, my son and his family, moved to Knoxville.  They moved from their own home to an apartment...on the 2nd floor.  Needless to say, they needed a place to store tubs of children's clothes and some furniture items as well.  Wha-lah....our basement.

So the pile grows even bigger....

So today, I decided a project was in order.  We have a sofa graveyard down there.  3 large sofas.  We are paring down to 1.  It is almost hoarding and selfish to keep the others.  An executive decision has been made...by me.

There is a bed set up down there that mice have decided was for their pleasure.  Yep, gross as it seems.  It's gone now.  Yuk and PTL!  The mice will have to look elsewhere.  I'm sure they will. 

So today, I spent about 3 hours sweeping, killing spiders, removing icky webs...and moving 11 tubs of clothes, 15 garbage bags of clothes, 2 changing tables, chairs, bed frames, and finally repacking my Christmas decorations!  For me, I had a major case of the "heebie-jeebies".  I don't like things that creep and crawl and surprise you unexpectedly...yuk!

To the visiting eye...it will still look totally cluttered.  To the way it was...it is pristine!  Scarey...huh?!?  The picture does not do this room justice.  But I have a plan.  More tubs for the clothes...for trips to TN...removing of a broken treadmill that found its way here from GA and will continue the paring down process of old TV's and GA boxes that have never been unpacked/opened.  Most of the tubs will going to TN when they find the buy the house of their dreams.  I'll be removing the tables...etc. You should have seen this room and the back of the basement before I started...I failed to take of picture of that unfortunately.

I feel like I have climbed Mt. Everest today.  In the process, I found the full bed that was my daughters while she was young...she's been looking for one to paint white...she's thrilled!!!

So a huge step has been taken.  No longer do I fear Neicy Nash will come with her crew to proclaim she has found the messiest house in the nation! 

No more Neicy...I'm doing this one .....one room at a time!

July 4th Celebration/Employee Apprecitation/Bring your Child to work day

Well, our event was wonderful...employees enjoyed it and Melissa did go to work with me that day!  It was such fun having her for a few hours and I'm so proud of the woman she has become...she is just as pretty inside as she is out!!!  It was great having her.  She is an elementary school teacher and also in school for her Masters at Meredith.  So glad she could join me to brighten my day. 

Hate that Robb couldn't be there, my son.  They moved to TN in May.  They posted the cutest  picture of my precious grandbabies celebrating the 4th at an event in TN...these girls are amazing!!!  Of course, I am their grandma ZuZu...but they really are! 

Anyway, it was a fun weekend...just wish we could have all been together...we were in spirit...Have a fun week everyone!...Sue

I feel a project coming.....

My precious, sweet, brutally honest, organized, "no non-sense when it comes to clutter" daughter is coming today!  I'm super excited.  She is actually coming because, being in health care, my agency is not usually closed for holidays.  So, traditionally, on July 4th Monday, we have an employee cookout at the office for those employees that choose not to take the holiday off as PTO.  Also, b/c this is a common issue on holidays, we have offered to those with children...to have a "Bring your child to work day"...b/c daycare centers are typically closed as well.  So, being funny, I sent the email to my son in TN and my daughter.  He ignored me.  She, on the other hand, is coming!!!  A little tongue in cheek of course.  But seriously, I will love having her help with the event!  

So, she is due to arrive in about 3 hours and I am attempting to clean & straighten a little prior to her arrival this evening.  Or else....!!!

I love having her here.  She is an Elementary School teacher which means she is off for a couple of months in the summer even though she is in grad school 2 nights a week.  A few post back, she came for the weekend and wow...clean, purge, and organize she did!  She kept telling me there is "FREEDOM" in purging & organizing and actually......I have truly felt it!  I have a large house with about 3600 sq ft of space.  That's a lot of room to stuff things in and forget they exist!  She and I haven't even drifted toward the basement...it's loaded!!!

So today, I'm super curious as to what she has in mind...I'm sure she is thinking & planning!  I feel it!

So, here is to you out there celebrating Freedom this weekend...meanwhile, I will be here...in my home....fighting for my freedom...one trash bag at a time!

Happy Independence!

I posted on my "work" blog about being Independent....please join me and check it out!

Happy Independence to everyone!

...Sue Ellen

A New Toy

Well, I finally did it.  I have been wanting one for a long time.  So, I broke down and got it.  A push mower!  And, to beat that...an electric one!  YEA!   But not everyone is sharing my joy.  My husband is not the least bit happy about it.  Long story.  But here is the brief version it.

My husband is a professional Lawn Care & Landscaper.  Owns his own business.  He's licensed and certified.  It is his lively hood.  It pays for our house!  But, I wanted this....for me. I can't work his zero turns, plus they are so expensive that I would be fearful!  I don't even like his regular riding John Deere mowers.  I can't crank the weed eaters....and the blower packs are too heavy!  I had planned to get a regular, run of the mill, push mower.  He kept telling me that I knew I wouldn't be able to crank it...true.  But when I got to Walmart....there was this electric version for the same price.  Now, you all are probably like the man at the checkout or my husband and saying "You're gonna hate that thing"...as I purchased the 100 foot electric cord to go with it.  But this is why I disagree.

I knew that eventually the cranking of the push mower would win and I wouldn't be able to do it.  I would end up very frustrated.  But I was still going to try.  When I saw the electric mower in my price range, I thought "This might be the answer!"  I KNOW it is not the best, strongest, prettiest, heavy dutiest (is that a word!) mower out there!  But so far....I love it!!!  

I can mow under trees, around plants, bushes, under the back steps....yep, I love it!  It is light as a feather.  Ultra easy to crank.  Turn off and start right back.  No gas, no oil!!! 

My husband is none too pleased.  He thinks I'm slighting him.  But I am trying to convince him that I am HELPING him.  He doesn't agree.  Being a "Professional" he says it looks bad.  But, I'm trying to be sensitive.  I think eventually I will win him over. 

Especially when I quit fussing about our grass being the last lawn on his work list!

Here's to hoping!

Today is a month ago that Mother died.  A month.  It was so sudden, yet expected.  We thought we were ready for this to happen...guess you never are.

We also just got back from vacation today.  I was a bit unsettled and dreading a portion of the vacation. This was the same beach house that we took Mother too a month before she died. My Sisters & I "happened" upon this enormous feat in April. What was suppose to be a getaway weekend for Beth & I turned into Mother's last trip to the beach with her daughters....which was a much better idea. And I'm so glad it worked out that way. It was meant to be and it was definitely a God Thing.  When we left the beach that day, we never knew that is just 4 short weeks she would be gone.....

While at the beach house this past week I couldn't help but think about my little Mother.  I slept in the same bed that she and I slept in.  I sat on sofa in the same spot she had sat.  I looked out the same glass doors she scrubbed and cleaned.  Today, I cleaned a spot off the kitchen floor that had bothered her and we wouldn't let her "clean" it b/c we were afraid she would fall.  When Kent ask what is the world was I doing...I said I was doing if for Mother.  He understood. 

Two weeks ago, I thought about her and thought "I need to call Mother", then just as quickly I remembered.  I miss her.  Not like my sister Beth, because she lived with Beth.  She was part of her daily routine.  It's different.  Also, I think it is because of my career.  Being a nurse and a nurse that has cared for Hospice patients as well as still working for a home care & hospice agency, I'm use to death.  Sorry, I don't mean to be offensive.  But to me, death is part of life.  No, it doesn't mean it doesn't hurt when people you love die, because it sure does.  It took years for me to quit crying and mourning my daddy's death.  But that was 17 years ago.  I've learned a lot since then.  And I'm older. 

I've lived away from my family for 31 years.  I've often wondered why God had me, the baby, move 4 hours from my family.  We knew our move was God ordained.  And it hurt so badly.  I cried for 2  years.  But then, this became home.  Our children were raised here.  New memories were made.  It was still a "trip" to go back home...but we did.  But the move was necessary for growth as a couple, a family and maturity.  Not always easy.  Some times down right hard.  But done.

So Mother being gone is not new to me.  I saw her about every 2-3 months.  It will probably hit me kind of hard within the next month.  In fact, that is probably why I thought about calling her recently.  We visited by phone...often.  Usually not long conversations.  But enough to share, laugh, spread some family news or chat a little. 

A month...I can't believe it.

Vacation week is over....

Whew....what a week, well actually 8 days!  We vacate to Topsail Island every year.  It is a small, not-so-commercialized, beach.  We love it.

For years we have stayed at our friends precious beach house....ocean view...unobstructed....really quaint.  Still don't understand how they can rent it out...it is beyond my comprehension!  I would have to stay there!  She chose such amazing colors for her walls.  Aquas, deep blue, purple, coral red....love, love love it!  I immediately "feel" the beach when I walk in.  I feel this way every time....every year....love it!

This year I was a little sad.  Our son, daughter in law and grand-babies did not go with us.  I don't want to dwell on that.  They moved in May to TN and due to a great job change and he didn't have the vacation time built up yet.  It was sad to us...but you have to accept the things you can't change.  So I'm trying.

But, we did have our daughter and her husband as well as my 87 yo Father in law who lives with us.  We rested an enormous amount.  Watched tennis, soccer and other stuff as a family...really good times.

Being that the beach is right there at us...you could sit on the deck and see the waves.  Very cool indeed.  Perfect place for a cup of morning coffee or a cool beverage later in the day.  I didn't feel I had to be "on" the sand all the time.  Really, really cool indeed.

Think one of the nicest surprises is my hair.  I had it cut, really, really short 2 weeks ago.  I don't do short hair and not sure why I did it.  It is short.  Too short.  Hate it.....But at the beach...it was GREAT!  Wash, dry and go....awesome!  This picture was taken after when had been out on the beach and was windblown!  I had just come in and sat down at the computer and Melissa snapped some photos!  Now that I'm home...it will need to grow!

Melissa & Brandon were great.  Helping out as well as having fun.  He convinced her to go out in his little Jon boat one day...she wasn't thrilled. ....but did it anyway.  He loves fishing.  Even went deep sea fishing one day about 20 miles out but the water was too rough to go any further.  Their precious pooch Mattie, was with us too...sleeping from one lap to the other or perched on the back of the sofa.

I'm not sue when I have had such a relaxing vacation.  I've got more to tell, but am going to split it up some.  Anyway, we're home.  Rested. God is good...not that I had any doubts!

2 Weeks Ago...8:46a.m.

Two weeks ago, at this minute, I got the call from Beth (get her link)that Mother was unresponsive. 

It had started out as an ordinary day for Mother...according to the staff of the assisted living.  I can imagine her up with her morning routine...bathing, dressing...cleaning with a dust cloth of some fashion in her hand...not sure what was going through her mind these last days.  She had become obsessed with cleaning.  Actually, always was, but used a normal balance with life.  But here lately, it was the number one thing on her mind.  Consuming.   I think it was because it was the only thing in her little life that she could control the outcome of.  Add to that the fact that Mother enjoyed cleaning. 

Wonder if she knew she was dying?  Wonder if she had glimpses of heaven?  Wonder if she saw family members passed?  I feel sure she heard us rallying around her...talking tenderly to her, loving her, telling her it was ok to go be with Jesus....ushering her into heaven.

Death is an amazing event under natural circumstances.  Don't think I'm morbid please.  I am a great respecter of Life.  Being a nurse, and being a Hospice Nurse, I've seen many deaths.  I've "pronounced" their deaths in their homes and called the funeral home to come.  I've seen the end of life come many times.  I've given training on the end of life care and end of life decisions.  I've seen the clinical side many times.  I've also seen the loving side too.  Daddy...now Mother.  Being in attendance to share those last minutes of life....I'm thankful God allowed me to be there.  A great memory of being in attendance with them at the end of their lives, knowing they were in attendance with me in the beginning of mine...special bonding.

When I got home from Mother's funeral, I read the "90 minutes in Heaven Book".  It gave me reassurance of what Mother experienced.  It was a great comfort.  I would say Mother is "dusting" in heaven...but I'm sure she is at peace...and there is NO DUST!

Just 2 weeks ago, Mother was alive, walking, talking...that could have been the same of any of us.  She died unexpectedly, yet expected.  At any given time, I expected the call.  Then it came.

About a week prior...my cell phone rang...I saw it was Beth's home number...I became ALERT..."Hey Sis" I said.  Mother said "Hello Susie".   I was stunned.  Mother had Beth to dial my number.  It was only about a 30 second conversation...Mother talked, I listened.  She said, "I just wanted to tell you I loved you, and you know I always have".  I assured her I did indeed and that I loved her as well.  When she hung up the phone, I sobbed.  I thought she was going to die that night.  It was the last time I talked with her. 

God, our heavenly Father, has a way of showing us such love and compassion when we least expect it.  How very much he loves us....and always has.