OLD dog NEW tricks

I have been struggling for almost 3 weeks with a upper respiratory infection. I say struggle, as I am prone to bronchitis and if I don’t keep the sinus’ in check it moves quickly to more serious issues. This morning I decided to try something a bit different.

Well if I wasn’t brain damaged before, I dang sure am now!  With all the congestion I decided I would wash my sinus’ out with the nasal attachment of my water pic. Would have been good if I had turned it down from high and full force to slow and easy, but no, I had to blow my brains through my skull and water dripped from every orafice above my neck! Dang it still hurts and I swear I have a brain leak!

The sinus’ are very clear for now, but are sore and I know there is a lot of bruising! So far no blood or brain matter so I think I will survive, but I will not go full force with that sucker again!

Much love, keep smiling!

Belle

I couldn't quite remember what age the transformation from baby toddler to "I am all grown up and know everything" took place but my youngest granddaughter aided me in remembering - it is exactly 2 weeks before they turn 3 years old! How in the world could I have forgotten that?!

She now gets her own drink with ice of course, goes potty alone, goes to class at church without an escort and so much more!  We have hiccups, but in our house you learn by doing and doing she does! I will miss those needy times but it is time to move on to bigger things.  

No Two Bucket List Are Alike

No two bucket lists are alike - even husbands and wive have different dreams - but if we are lucky, we will find just the right person to share those dreams. It is really nice not to travel our journeys alone.

Closer to . . . Hurry Up!

I normally don't think about my age in the normal course of day to day life, but this weekend I received and card from Department of Driver Services advising me it would soon be time to renew my license and what to bring in order to do so. This year I will be double sixes and it dawned on me that I am now closer to 70 than I am to 60 - for some reason this knocked me for a loop! I need to hurry up!

There is so much more I want to do in this short life of mine, so I need to Hurry Up!
There are people I want to see again before this short life of mine is over, so I need to Hurry Up!
There are wonders in this world I haven't seen, so I need to Hurry Up!

Yep, so little time and so much to do! I really need to Hurry Up!

On the cusp

Another end to this thing called winter is fast approaching and while the fall and early winter were relatively mild, the end has been fierce with its gusting winds and frigid air.  Those who read my blog regularly know that February is my least favorite month, but it is there so there you go! There are things in life that must be dealt with and deal with it we shall! 

According to the knowledgeable meteorologist, we are to have a pollen burst (whatever that is) brought on by the early warm temperatures followed by the recent frigid temperatures. Every spring is a pollen burst when plagued with allergies.  One can only hope that the "burst" will be fast and short!

My car is already tarnished with a coat of yellow which definitely does not accentuate the carbonite gray nor is it a welcome accessory to the matte black interior (doesn't matter if the windows are never down, the crap sneaks in through the air ducts!).

Anxious for the warming temps and visions of summer, hubby and I uncovered the pool and BAM! the frigid temps rolled in and picking those dreams right out of the air and scattering them northward! As much as I would love a thick blanket of snow, it is too close to Spring for me to welcome it with bated breathe and open arms. 

I trimmed the dead protective leaves of my banana tree right before this perilous weather and sit here wondering if those lovely green leaves will make a comeback giving my little feathered friends a perch when the weather does warm.  Most of the fruit trees and flowering shrubs bloomed only to  freeze in these devilish temps leaving it iffy if there will be pears or plums this year with few if any azaleas.

Yes, I am tired of soups and breads (potato, broccoli and cheese, cabbage and sausage, chili, vegetable, taco) I crave grilled chicken, steak, salmon and even burgers with a fresh salad on the side! 

I am ready to say goodbye to winter and "Hello" Spring! Thanks for visiting and remember to 

Keep Smilin!

It sure would have been nice if life had moved this slow 40 years ago, but then everyone was in such a hurry . . . for what?

Per request

http://www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/gacode/Default.asp

God doesn't operate on your timetable, but satan does 
Think first, then move slowly

Anticipation
. . . waiting for the first snowflake of the season to hit the ground

Yes, here in middle Georgia (known for our mild winters and scorching summers) are waiting with bated breathe the journey of those snow clouds and anxiously await the fall of that first flake. Knowing in our hearts that 30 minutes or less we will be begging for it to be over.  We are not made for the fluffy white stuff except for those daredevils that attack the blanket with their monster machines turning the fluffy into slushy within seconds. 

Content with the comfort of a warm fire and a cup of soup I sit here realizing I have aged not only in years but also in spirit - as once I would be in the middle of the skirmish, rolling in the snow, building snowmen, climbing the mountain in the four wheel drive. Good memories, but no do overs.

Happy rolling - whether on a sled, vehicle, or trash can lid! Be safe and have fun!

What a wonderful Christmas season!

The love, laughter, joy and fellowship was so rewarding and filled my heart with love!  The little ones were filled with excitement which overflowed to us old folks and brought many smiles.

I know that isn't actually Jesus' birthday, but it is the day that we celebrate the overwhelming love of God in sending us his son knowing he would die on the cross to pay for my sins! His birth should be celebrated as no one will ever sacrifice for me as he has done.

I pray that your Christmas was joy filled as well and you felt the hand of God in your celebrations!

After three and a half days of overcast rainy skies, I am so glad to see sunshine! We still need rain, but I need the sun to survive!

Have you felt a difference in the climate of our fellow humans personality wise? 

I am not a shopper and hubby definitely is not, however today we both wanted to go looking.  There is nothing special, we were window shopping. Our little town has moved from downtown to the outskirts mainly northward toward the metropolis known as Atlanta. We don't have "shops" downtown so window shopping is a thing of the past. One doesn't get the feeling of warmth and stability from a strip mall and there is definitely no windows to shop. So I suppose we browse shopped.  

The many many people we encountered were friendly, courteous and accommodating - no pushing, shoving, ugly looks, or nasty comments.  At Hobby Lobby, the shopper behind me reminded me to use my 40% off coupon and offered hers as she already had it up on her phone! Pleasant - the whole shopping experience was just pleasant! 

I don't think it is just because of the season as in years past I have avoided shopping during the holidays.  Is it the idea of change in the government and promises of better governance from our political choices?  Is it the fact that after 40+ days with no rain and no cold weather we received both in the same week? 

I like it! More shopping may be in my future if the pleasantness continues. 

I recently posted on social media that my bundt pan was under the red bud tree with mud pies in it and it is. The response was overwhelming, but the general consensus was that my 2+ year old granddaughter had been playing with it - not so! 

Can you believe my 10 and 11 year old daughters are OUTSIDE playing, making mud pies, gathering foliage for greens and berries for beans to go with their delicious mud pies?  And yes, they are teaching the 2+ year old how it is done!

Yes, they get dirty! Yes, they get wet! Yes, their clothes are filthy! They also play in the creek and ride bicycles on the paths (that they cleared) through the woods! They tumble in the yard and do cartwheels in the grass.  

That, my friend, is what being a COUNTRY GIRL is all about!

Motivation has abandoned me this morning!

Some one recently told me  . . .
"It is none of your business what anyone thinks of you!"

Makes sense to me!

Special Time for Giving Thanks

I am thankful to have a family to love!
I hope that my family loves me, but I am more content knowing I have family to love.  The same is true of friends - I do not know if they love me, but I am blessed to have people in my life to love.       Can you imagine living in a world where you didn't haven't any family or friends to love?

I am thankful that I don't experience the stress of basic survival!
My stress if my worry for my families safety and health. I am blessed with food to eat, clothes to wear, shoes for my feet, safe home and a warm bed. If I go to bed hungry - I can get up and eat, if my feet get cold in the night - a pair of socks are a few steps away, if I am thirsty - water is just a turn of the faucet, if it rains or snows - I have a roof over my head. I am blessed!  Could you survive without a home to live in, food as easily as going to the grocery or to a restaurant, searching for water?

I am thankful for my senses!
I can hear the sounds of nature and the music of my grandchildren's voices. I can see the sunshine and the wind rearranging the limbs of the trees.  I can feel the heat of the sun, the wet of the rain, the cold of the wind in fall and winter. I can talk with my friends and family. I can feel the roughness of sandpaper and the softness of a babies hair. I can smell the earth, the stringency of rosemary, the calming smell of peppermint and clary sage, and freshly washed sheets and towels. What would you do if you couldn't see, hear, talk, smell, or feel?

I am thankful that I have choices!
I can smell the aromatic and walk away from the odorous. I can get out of the rain or soak up the sun. I can talk or sit silently. I have a choice. I can make the decision of what I listen to, look at, taste, smell, or feel. 

I am thankful that I am still in good health, mobile, and independent.
I can't do everything as I once did, but I can still do. Good health - I am not in a health institute nor do I have to see a doctor on a regular basis. I still move as needed - not as fast or as long as I once did, but I do move. I am not dependent on anyone for my basic needs. 

I am thankful for the saving Grace of my Lord Jesus Christ and the mercy afforded me by his Crucifixion and Resurrection! 

. . . she slowly died while trying to make his dreams come true . . .

In My Eyes

Easy going, soft spoken, dressed simple but always perfect to the occasion, quick to laugh with a mischievous twinkle to her dark brown eyes - this is the way I saw my sister-in-law in the early years.  After she lost her children one by one,  the twinkle died and the mouth was drawn, but she never let grief overtake her persona.

Life didn't change the way I felt about her and if it changed her feelings for me she never showed it. I never heard her judge anyone for anything - a most admirable trait in my eyes.

So much to do,
So little motivation!

Today is tomorrow's history - make it grand!