GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

The first signs of Spring at the Villa.  Don't know the name of this tree, but it shades our balcony and the flowers only last a few days...Then it looks like snow on the ground when they fall   This is not a very good shot, but the tree is much taller than me, and this is the best I could do.  Soon the entire tree will be filled with these lovely blooms. This is a shot looking up at the balcony.  Love our balcony.  The weather was so nice yesterday, my dearest had lunch and a little snooze in the sunshine. I love plants, but not very good in knowing their names.  One of the ladies in the complex has a huge plant like this on her balcony and it has pink flowers that come out on a stem.  She broke off a piece for me last year, and it's now beginning to bloom.  It almost looks like a succulent.  Maybe it is! I feel like we are entering a new season in my dearests health too.  One more week of home nurse  care ...

Had a good laugh yesterday as we spent the afternoon at our son's home to celebrate the birthday and graduation from college, of one of our grandsons.   Needing to use the bathroom, I had a good laugh when I noticed the sign on the container holding the plant on the toilet.  Remember when our children were small and had to go to the bathroom, and we would ask, No. 1 or No. 2.   "No. 2".  Had to laugh out loud!   It reminded me of a couple bathroom stories. We were a close knit family, and when I was a child, each Sunday would gather at one of the aunts for dinner and an afternoon of visiting and us young cousins playing in the back yard. One of my aunts was quite the character and us kids loved to go to her bathroom, because there were some "Joke books" that had some bathroom humor and jokes rather shady.  So of course we would sneak into the bathroom to read a few.  Then I remembered a very embarrassing moment back in the 70's when our...

 Isaiah 46:1-4 "Listen to me, all the remnant of the people of Israel, you whom I have upheld from your birth, and have carried since you were born.  Even to your old age and gray hairs , I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you.  I will sustain you and carry you." I realize that in this passage it speaks to Israel....but isn't the Word of God for all of us!!  This has been a hard year and sometimes I truly feel my old age and gray hair.  I'm pushing 79 and as a youngster, would seem like at 79 you would be dead or petrified. HaHa  The above picture is me.  Without the make up, without the hairdo, just sitting in the sun on the balcony reflecting on my life and how God has upheld me from my birth, carried me since I was born, and will continue to carry and sustain me for as long as my days are.  That is extremely comforting and I find my rest and peace in that truth! Heavenly Father, Thank you for...

We have seen angels in human skin with the nurse and therapists that have been crucial in my dearest recovery from the stroke.  This is Sylvia, she is the physical therapist, and has worked with Don getting him stronger in his lower body and legs.  Lots of exercises on walking and balance.  She signed off yesterday, and we will miss her.  She shared she was a PK and appreciated Don's years of ministry as a Pastor. This is Amber, she is the speech therapist and has spent more hours with Don than any of the others.  Speech, getting the throat strong, swallowing, and breathing are so important.  She was wonderful and we could see the improvement with each visit.  She had her last visit with Don but left him with pages of "homework" to do on his own.    One of the many RN's that have been with us is Jean.  A very sweet and compassionate nurse.  It was interesting how many of our angles in human skin were people of faith....

It's always a challenge to serve healthy, low sodium meals that look good and taste good.  But because of the CHF a low sodium lifestyle is a must!  My dearest enjoyed his meal tonight, and with herbs, garlic, and salt-substitute is was OK!  (I think of that commercial that says..."Just OK is not OK".  In our case, it has to be! HaHa Herb Crusted Tilapia with carrots, red potatoes, onions, squash, bell pepper.  Shh...when my dearest isn't looking, I had to add a little salt to mine.  Remember, I'm not on that restriction...but I don't flaunt it!! I do it discreetly.  HaHa Tomorrow the Speech Therapist will give her last session.  I can't believe it's almost been 4 weeks since the stroke.  The physical therapist has till the end of the month. Pacemaker check on the 23rd to determine exactly how much time is left on the one he has.  We are getting close to the end of it's battery, and then they will schedule a date for the new o...

  This  is my new "Short and Sassy" haircut.  I call it the "Caregiver" haircut because it's so easy.  Get up, run my fingers through it, and walla...Ready for the Grand Central Station of nurses and therapists that grace our home three times a week. Melody is my stylists and she makes my life easier with this style How do you say "Thank You" to the wonderful medical staff and home care nurses and therapists....With individual banana breads of course!! Don't forget the drizzle!  Thanks you Wanda style! haha.   Finally, Christmas is all packed away.  I decided to leave some splashes of red, add some pink and hearts and just change the theme to Valentine's Day and Love!  Coffee table above.   A view of the living room. My "Coffee Station" and my new mug for the Love Season.  It says "She's a dreamer and a doer"....That's me! May I be the first to wish you a HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Father God, I pray that the many people longing for a relationship, will realize that the only relationship that fulfills and is complete is YOU.  Revelations 3:20 tells us "Behold, I stand at the door knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I WILL come in to him and dine with him and him with Me."  My prayer today is for all our family and friends that don't know you.  Lord convict their hearts to seek You and let You into their lives.  Thanks you for loving me and coming into my life.  Dining with You is the pleasure of my life.  Amen.

Our grandson Marc had lunch with us today.  He comes over from work which is not to far from us and what a treat to see him.  I so enjoy making lunch for him, and he says he enjoys eating it. HaHa Gives him a chance to see Grandpa, and help us with things on the TV we don't work so well.  We have a Disney movie channel, but didn't know how to get the caption on.  He gave me a few instructions, and now we have caption on all the movies.  With my hearing problem, even with hearing aids, I miss so much in a movie if it doesn't have caption. Today we watched "Togo" based on a true story of sled dogs in Alaska in 1925, delivering serum to a hospital, in Nome AK where there was an outbreak of diphtheria and many children were sick and dying.  Excellent movie, and with caption, didn't miss a word.

Remember that little song we sang as kids.   "Beans, Beans The musical fruit The more you eat The more you toot! The more you toot The better you feel So let's have beans at every meal" My dearest has been in the mood for a bowl of good old beans, onion and cornbread, so tonight I filled the crockpot and will let it slow cook all night. Tomorrow we will be singing and tooting!!!  HaHaHa How do you feel about beans???

WHAT'S IN A SMILE?   A heart touched by grace brings joy to the face.  These two lovebirds are full of smiles because in a few days they will become husband and wife. What's in a smile!  Love, hope for the future and a life time together.  I remember saying I want to grow old with this man....HaHa  I did!!    The speech therapist has Don doing "smiling" exercises to help the weakness on the right side of his face.  We get the giggles when he's practicing it and we both try to put on a big smile.  There is something about smiling that not only makes us feel better, but those who see our smile.   Smiling is free...you can do it anytime and to anyone.  Proverbs 15:13 says "A happy heart make the face cheerful...."   After a little more than 58 years of marriage...we are still lovebirds.  It's not the destination, but the journey.  I love being the caregiver for my man, and plan on smiling and...

Finally ~ the new washing machines and dryers were installed at the Villa.   For the past month we have had problems with the old machines.  Sometime they would work, and then they wouldn't. Very frustrating when you need to get laundry done.  We received a notice that a new company would be installing new washing machines and dryers.  That happened today.  They are smaller tubs, and the price has increased...but at least I can work on the several bags of laundry that were piling up. Funny how something as unexciting as a washer and dryer can be taken for granted.  As I was folding my clothes it hit me how really little time it took to do several loads.  Washing day when I was growing up was just that "A Day".  Mother sorted every thing.  Whites, colors, sheets, towels, work clothes, etc.  No electric washer, and the dryer was the clothesline.  But my mom made everything a "Masterpiece".  Her clothesline ...

 Who would have thought we would be spending Christmas in the hospital.  Strokes don't make appointments!  But God was so gracious that the stroke did not leave my dearest with paralysis.  Above is our grandson Marc and his wife Amanda.  They gave me a personalized binder for my recipes.  How sweet is that.  Don looks so good in this picture.  He was very happy to have his family surrounding him on Christmas.  His new shirt and sweat pants are laying on his bed.  They were from grandchildren Monique and her husband Eddie. Monique and Eddie gave me a beautiful, soft and warm sweater.  It may have been our best Christmas ever, as we had Grandpa with us.  God is good all the time.  It could have been our saddest Christmas. Life is so busy now at home.  Speech Therapists, Physical Therapists, RN's and even a nurse to show us how to bath with a tub chair.  Don is getting around like a pro with his walker, an...

I ate so much Quiche during the time I was losing weight, that I got burned out!  But the other day, I was just craving a nice "no crust" Vegetable Quiche.  I usually use half/half, but was out and only had heavy whipping cream.  Oh my goodness.... it was sinfully delicious!!!

June 23, 2019 was one of the saddest days for my dearest and me.  Our Molly passed away.  She was 15, going blind and other health issues.  She was such a fun dog and a blessing for all those years.  Went with us everywhere.  Meet "Chip"!  He is a hand puppet and I've used him weekly with our Kids Time program at church for the past year.  The kids love him, and I didn't realize how much I was attached to this little guy, until I had to give him back a couple nights ago. Being full time care giver for my dearest, I needed to retire from teaching on Wednesday nights.  Turning over the Kids Time material and "Chip" was harder than I thought.  I think Chip kind of filled a little place in that big hole Molly left. When I was telling my daughter how it surprised me how emotional I was in giving up Chip...she said "Mom, remember "Wilson" in the Cast Away...he wasn't real...but a soccer ball that became such an atta...

What a year it has been!  5 Hospital stays and 45 doctors appointments, and we are still working on full recovery for my dearest.  Since the last time I posted, Don had a stroke, and what at scary 911 call and race to the hospital.  God is so good, there is no paralysis, but weakness on the right side.  They took him to the closest hospital.  The next morning he was transported by ambulance to PIH (Presbyterian International Hospital -Whittier)  We love the care he gets at this hospital and the team of doctors and nurses that care for him.  They are wonderful.  This hospital has been rated in the top 5 in the country.  We are blessed. We are back home now and have HCN (home care nursing) which includes a RN, speech therapist, physical therapist, occupational therapist.  They come three times a week and work with Don to get back his strength. We still walk the fine line, between blood thinners (CHF) and blood pressure which can dro...