The best patient!

My Mother in law was told two years ago that she had two months to live. Since she is still alive, obviously, God had a different plan from what man had. As I was feeding her breakfast this morning, and thinking of the “control” I had to give up – and all the surrendering I had to do – I was overcome with emotion for what a great patient she has been and just how easy she has made it on me! God just does things RIGHT! He doesn’t screw up like we do! He’s always RIGHT ON TIME!

aka “Granny” is under HOSPICE care which means I do have an aide come in three times a week to bathe her and a nurse that visits once a week to check vitals etc; The rest is up to my husband and I. I am the sole person that feeds her three tiems per day. She is on a pureed diet, therefore all of her food has to be pulverized in a food processor before I can feed it to her. Ninja, you are a lifesaver! Granny is entirely bedfast and not in control of her bowels, so I am the person solely responsible for keeping them moving and keeping her cleaned up. (She has a catheter for her urine which sometimes doesn’t work real well thus the need to change the sheets etc;)

God knows the beginning from the end. He sees down the road where we don’t see. That’s why I am confident that he knew (WHEN I DIDN’T) excatly what I WAS & AM capable of when he brought Granny into our home for her final days – how ever long they may be.

She lived a quiet, gentle existence with a life dedicated to God before getting sick – and now she’s unable to read her bible or even being in church! And yet He had spent at least 20 years building up a fire in me for the things of God, so I could be her caregiver and substitute. God knew what he was doing! She never complains! She is the BEST PATIENT! While eating breakfast this morning (Eggs, Sausage & Cheese) with coffee & water – she had to be reminded to suck. She was weak and was very slow in drinking her coffee thru a straw. I had to encourage her with every sip to “suck harder”.

Let me add, we are not trying to “sustain or prolong her life”…we are ready for her to go, when God is ready to take her. We are just trying to make her last days on this earth as comfortable and enjoyable as is possible considering our circumstances and limitations.

Yesterday afternoon (see pic), while eating lunch (because she was eating very slow), I asked her three times if she “was full”. She shook her head “no” each time, and so I continued to feed her. She has a great appetite most days and she cleaned the entire plate of food!

I just think how smart God is! He knew that if I was put in charge of my own mother’s care that it would be an entirely different story!! My mother is a whole different person from whom I describe in this blog. She would be complaining non-stop and nothing would ever be right! Proof that the old adage is true “distance makes the heart grow fonder”…my mother lives over 2000 miles away! My sis and bro have to put up with her and she’s in much better shape than Granny even though she’s only 3 years younger.

I just wanted to PRAISE GOD PUBLICLY for knowing me, urging me to surrendar entirely (wasn’t easy), allowing Him to shape me and mold me, and for TRUSTING me in the care of a marvelous woman of God! I will do it, until and when He calls her home.

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Interesting conversation with my 12 yr. old grandson

Preston is my 12 yr. old grandson. I don’t often have an opportunity to spend much time with him, so I’m pleased that for the past month he has come over with his two younger brothers while his mom was at work. (Most of the time he and his 15 yr. old sister stay at home during the summer or stay with friends.)

Let me preface what I’m about to say first by saying I don’t like “indecisiveness” or “wishy washyness”. I like people who are resolute! They know what they want and what they don’t want. Maybe that’s a tall order for a 12 yr. old, but it’s at least a “teaching moment” the way I see it. Preston is very “wishy washy” or “diplomatic” in his responses to me. I feel like he gives me the answer that he thinks I want, rather than what he really thinks. Often he will answer a question with a question. He often pauses before he answers trying to figure out if he’s “in trouble”. I need to point out that my grandson is a very polite young man and I have very little difficulty or challenges with him. But this little personality characteristic has become quite obvious and apparent. I have my theory on where it stems from but don’t care to blog all the details.

After several episodes that Paw Paw and I both witnessed where Preston seemed to be “tap dancing” around an issue, I decided it was time to talk about it. So, I began by quoting the scripture that says, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways”. James 1:8 As we continued to chat, I encouraged Preston to take a stand on things and if he truly believed a certain way to let his yes be yes, thus quoting the scripture in James 5:12.

Preston is such a sweet boy. I worry though about his tendancy to want to be a “people pleaser” and therefore reminded him of the well known quote that says, “a man who stands for nothing will fall for anything”. Our kids are bombarded with so much nowadays and have way more pressure on them than I had back in the day. I pray for all my grandchildren daily. For them to be strong, resolute and as Shakespeare said, “to thine own self be true” is just a small part of what I desire for them.

Come on now FOOD NETWORK…REALLY?

Without a doubt this will not be a popular blog for many because I have a very STRONG opinion regarding the Paula Deen/Food Network fiasco. Suffice it to say, I’ve written to Food Network, Paula Deen and some of my favorite shows on Food Network since I will no longer be enjoying the shows they employ.

I am appalled at Food Network’s behavior (NOT Paula Deen’s) and an SHOCKED that they would not support their employee during this very difficult time for her. The use of the “n” word or racial discrimination (which this is reported to be – NADA!) is not to be tolerated at all – I do agree. But, REALLY? The sins of the past? Is this something that happened just recently? No! Does that make it any less serious? No!

But, I ask you – What has become of a world where we can no longer tell a joke or have a good laugh, or even use a racial/gender slur in the spirit it was intended?? There’s been no mean spirit, or racial discrimination behind these events or comments that MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE OCCURRED. I wonder how many blonde jokes Paula Deen has had to endure thru the years?

I’m sure you are wondering why I, (as a Bible believing Christian) would feel so passionate about such a topic? #1) Because I’m human and have a fallen nature! I’ve fallen short, many times! I’ve screwed up, said things I shouldn’t have, made huge mistakes, told stupid jokes in the company of people that may have been offended and was inconsiderate. #2)I’ve been sued as she is being (for sexual harrassment and gender discrimination). I WON, my petitioners DID NOT! And another key factor in all this – MY EMPLOYER NOT ONLY SUPPORTED ME, but PAID ALL THE COURT COSTS etc; never expecting one dime to be reimbursed.

This is about a DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEE that was fired! I’ve been there and done that! I was sued by three young men who were passed up for promotion (beat out by a woman), and eventually FIRED for various reasons. I was their boss – and their charges were eventually found to be unfounded, but it cost my company thousands of dollars to defend the case.

In the old days (let me remind you Paula Deen is OLD) racial slurs were more common & tolerated, even expected. (That doesn’t make it right, I add). I’m not giving Paula a “pass”, but I am extending forgiveness. REALLY? Have you ever said anything UGLY or STUPID, that you regretted later? At Paula’s own admission, racial comments did occur, but “not in recent years”. Did Food Network do a thorough investigation before deciding to fire Paula? She’s a big money maker for them – but are all the other programs bigger money makers? Were they worried about jeopardizing the greater good (the entire Network)? I don’t know the answer to any of those questions…but I am still very upset mostly over the “politically correct” society we now live in!!

We have become a very touchy, sensitive society that preaches “tolerance” but doesn’t practice it. If Paula Deen is to be punished for the sins of the past then we all should be in front of the firing squad! I wouldn’t stand a chance! But, I’ve made amends to those I’ve offended and moved forward. Paula is trying to do the same. Give a girl a break! Especially one that was raised & always lived in the South! I know, I know “she of all others should know better”, right? Not necessarily – I’m from up North and the culture in the South and the use of the “n” word is more prevalent here in Texas that it ever was up North where I grew up. What does that tell you?

What’s really ironic about all this is that I’ve not watched alot of Paula Deen’s shows on Food Network. I’m not a big fan of her show as much as I’m a big fan of her. I like her funny flirtatious personality! As they say in the South – she’s a HOOT! She’s funny! She does a stand-up, live show that tops most stand-up comedians. I don’t believe for ONE SECOND that anything she said or did (which still has yet to be revealed), was ill intended, mean spirited or intended to harm in anyway. That being said, be on notice – FOOD NETWORK – you are off my viewing schedule and are being BOYCOTTED as of this posting! You are obviously going the direction of DC with your liberal agenda and it’s unfortunate for many who don’t care to buy what you are selling.

I’m living vicariously, Part II

From Ask.com:
Living vicariously through someone means to experience something through someone else. For example, the fanatic may not mind his mediocre life because he lived vicariously through his idol.

Let me preface my blog first by saying,

I’m 62 years old, folks!

I know, I know, it’s only a number and you can site me several examples of folks who have accomplished great feats later in life, right? Very true! But when you relinquish control and allow God to steer the vessel, sometimes your life is not what you intended or desired for it to be.

That being said, I am ALSO living vicariously thru my oldest (37) daughter, Theresa some days. Although not as often as I do with my only son, (See previous blog: “I’m living vicariously, Part I)…I envy Theresa’s creative abilities and wish I were only 1/2 as good. Some would say I am as good – but I would disagree.

She’s the person who got me interested in scrapbooking – and I have 19 STUFFED 12X12 scrapbooks to prove it! But when you look at hers versus mine – it’s obvious who has the creative abilities in the family.

She’s also the one who tried for a VERY LONG time to get me interested in quilting. I resisted because of my time constraints. I was working FT when her urging began, but NOW several years later, while FT caregiver for my 92 yr. old MIL – here I am, totally ADDICTED to quilting and fabric collecting!! My hobbies is primarily what keeps me SANE most days. I guess I can’t say I’m living vicariously any longer, now can I?

Theresa is also a very talented cake creator and decorator. Although I can bake a cake better than she can (she usually uses boxed mixes, where I bake from scratch) – her fondant cakes are very creative and gorgeous! Proof I’m am living vicariously in this catergory is the more than 175 pins of cake I have on Pinterest. She has actually turned all of her creative endeavors into money making opportunities – which completely baffles me, since I have always been strong in sales! The girl can sell ice to an eskimo! She used to make “embellished children’s clothing” when her daughter was young – and turned it into a quite lucrative business for awhile.

Theresa has sold everything from homemade boxed lunches at worksites, to scrapbooks created from her customer’s photos, to cakes for birthdays, anniversaries etc; to quilts (just finishing a t-shirt quilt for someone she works with), to monogrammed towels for housewarming gifts for her sister who is a realtor. And she charges way more than I would ever pay for some of that stuff – it just blows me away and how she connects with people and convinces them to order her wares!

Fast forward to today – Theresa’s creative endeavors have diminished somewhat since she’s now a single parent of 5 children and has had to work outside the home full-time. I take care of her children while she works in the medical field and I guess you could say we have switched roles somewhat.

If I ever get to go back to work (when Granny passes away), it will again probably be something I have already been doing vicariously thru Theresa. One of her jobs she had in the past that I would love to have – is working in a fabric store! LOL

In closing, I would say “I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know who holds the future”!!

I’m living vicariously…Part I

From Ask.com:
Living vicariously through someone means to experience something through someone else. For example, the fanatic may not mind his mediocre life because he lived vicariously through his idol.

Let me preface my blog first by saying,

I’m 62 years old, folks!

I know, I know, it’s only a number and you can site me several examples of folks who have accomplished great feats later in life, right? Very true! But when you relinquish control and allow God to steer the vessel, sometimes your life is not what you intended or desired for it to be.

I said all that you say this: I’m living vicariously through my 43 yr. old son, Troy. Although there are some aspects of his life I don’t care to embrace, he has made me very proud in a couple other areas. Becoming a published author, is one! Pictured is a copy of his first published work that began as merely a hobby. Thanks to group fundraising, self-publishing, and a ton of Facebook fans, his dream became a reality! I have always wanted to be a published author (I don’t count the poem that I paid to have published in a poetry anthology as “published”). LOL Needless to say, my dream has become a reality thru Troy. Neeto! 🙂 What more could a mom want than for her child to be successful in life – especially when she gets a double blessing? He’s blessed and she’s blessed!

But, oh contrare – that’s not all! Troy also works in radio, something I always thought would be a fun job, too! (I don’t count selling radio advertising for a small Christian radio station as “having a job in radio” either!) LOL Radio is actually his primary occupation and has been for more than two decades. I’ve never been able to hold down a job for that long, either!! Way to go, Troy!! Mama is truly busting her buttons! What began as a boyhood interest in music, developed into an education in Broadcasting school, to many jobs and travels as a disc jockey to “production work” (don’t know what his actual title is), for a nationally syndicated radio talk show. Wow! I hope I did something right as his mom, but I really can’t take credit for any of it. He is his own man, and always was! I always thought it would be fun to have my own radio talk show, kinda like Dr. Laura or to write my own newspaper column like Ann Landers – thus combining my desire to write as well as work in radio. Neeto!

But, instead I’m living vicariously through my son, Troy while I take care of a 92 yr. old bedfast mother-in-law. Some would say, I have a higher calling right now. I would say, I’m just trying to allow God to work through me and not get in the way of what His plans are for me right now. I’m a proud mama, living out her dreams; just not the way I had planned to. Thanks Troy!

See Spot Run…

If you are a baby boomer as I am, then you probably remember the old books we used to learn to read from in grade school. Do you remember Dick & Jane and their dog Spot? “See Dick”. “See Jane”.
“See Dick & Jane”. “See Spot”. “See Dick & Jane run”. “See Spot run”. “See Dick & Jane run after Spot”.

While out for my morning stroll with my grandson, Kash I realized what a joy it is to have this quality time with him and the degree of learning that is taking place as we stroll. I was going to call this blog, “Learning words, as we Stroll”. He loves the 30 min. stroller ride we take in the neighborhood most mornings because he gets to enjoy all of nature, and Maw Maw’s undivided attention. (His older siblings prefer video games and Netflix to walking).

“Puppie”, “Dog”, “What’s the puppie say?” “Woof, Woof” “Big dog”, “Black dog”….”Car”, “Red car”, “Little red car”, “Truck”, “Big Truck”, “Black Truck”, “Big Black Truck”….”Squirrel”, “See Squirrel?” “See squirrel run up the tree?”… “Mailbox”, “Pine Cone”, “Leaves”, “Tree”, “Big Tree”, “Flowers”, “pretty flowers”, “Grass”, “Garbage Truck”, “Birds?” “Hear the birds?” “What’s the bird say?” “Cheep, cheep”…

I guess I just don’t want to take for granted all the learning that I believe is taking place during this time and that somehow I will have a positive impact on my grandson’s life because of it. What started out for me as an opportunity for some physical exercise has become so much more!

Monday Motivation- 33 Ways To Stay Creative

Monday Motivation- 33 Ways To Stay Creative.

DIY at it’s finest…

Been busy sewing, instead of blogging

Sometimes I get on a track…and I have a hard time getting off. This week I was on one of those tracks. It was the sewing/quilting track. As much as there were other things to do and other things I wanted to do, I wanted to sew MORE.

In fact, yesterday I decided to have a little “crafting fellowship” with a few ladies from church. It was a spur of the moment decision – (those usually work out the best) with very little planning.

What I told the three ladies that attended was that “my motivation was quite selfish”. I told them that I was lonely for good Christian fellowship since I rarely get to go to church and see all my sisters in Christ. I also was motivated because of a conversation I recently had with one of the ladies about making quilts. She really wanted to get started on one, and was looking for “inspiration”. I suggested she come over so I could give her some tips to get started. So, that’s where it all began.

We had one 9 yr. old granddaughter of one of the ladies attend as well, and I don’t know about my 4 guests – but I had a great time! We spent about 4 hours (2 of which was all about quilting) laughing, eating and enjoying each other’s company. I’m so glad I decided to do it. It was just what the doctored ordered! (I wish I had taken some pics of all of us)…but the only pic I took was of this block I created right before their very eyes!!

I am so excited about this block because it’s from a class I am taking online called “Traditional blocks Made Simple”. It is so easy and comes together like “magic”. This is the second quilt I will be making from this pattern, having just finished my first one. Check out craftsy.com if you are interested. They are great and have some FREE classes too!

One of the ladies that attended is not a “craft type person” – it was all so “overwhelming” to her. I find it quite humorous and interesting at how different people and their interests can be. She was such a good sport at sitting though my little “class” that was mainly for the benefit of one lady. I told her the story of my closest friend, Karen – who I share very little in common with – and yet we are closest friends. Karen isn’t “crafty” either. I think most crafts just FRUSTRATE her. She doesn’t consider herself creative at all. She’s attended a couple “scrapbook socials” I’ve had and did most of the talking while the rest of us did the creating! LOL

The things I find relaxing, calming, and give my heart great joy are:

Crafts of all kinds
Reading
Writing
DIY & Organization (home improvements and renovation)
Re-purposing of an old item into something new

Shall I go on? No, some of you I am probably boring to tears. Suffice it to say, I had lots of topics I wanted to blog about this past week, but I couldn’t pull myself away from the sewing machine!! That is, when I wasn’t tending to grandsons, hubby or Granny. (I don’t sew during the day when boys are here. I like to give them quality time at the park, in the pool, playing games or reading and learning). I also love to feed them! Ethan says, “Mmmmm, Maw Maw this is good”…music to my ears.

Speaking of food…I made a yummy chicken salad for the ladies yesterday that I thought you might enjoy:

CHICKEN SALAD

12 oz. rotisserie chicken, chopped
1 c. grapes halved (red or green)
1 c. finely chopped celery
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/3 c. slivered almonds
1 c. light mayonnaise

Mix well and chill. I like to serve on sandwich thins. Also great served with crackers or on a lettuce leaf.

Stay tuned – I will try to get back to more important topics soon. School is out and I will have 4 granchildren to care for in June. Phew!