REMEMBERING MY BROTHER, CHARLIE-----MISS YOU EVERY DAY

 NINE YEARS AGO TODAY

my brother, Charlie,

walked into the hospital ER

because he wasn't feeling well.

On February 5th,  2013,

 4:04 pm he left the hospital.

He didn't leave the way we hoped,

nor the way we expected.

He went to a different home

than the one he left that last Tuesday.

He developed a very rare cancer

that affects less than 1% of

cancer patients.  It is fast moving

and there is less than a 1% chance

of survival.

I  struggled trying to figure

out why this has happened.

Then a peaceful thought came to me.

Our little granddaughter,

Anna Bella, 

needed an Uncle

to keep her company.

A great-uncle.

Great in more ways than one.

Wasn't he a cute little boy?

We knew that last morning that his

time to be with us was to be

short-lived.

They put him on a morphine drip

and he gently drifted away

without pain.

What you don't know about

my brother is that he was a 

joker-He loved to make

people laugh.

He was the "smiliest" person

I ever knew and he

dearly loved a good joke.

You know, even in moments of 

blinding pain there are

sparks of laughter,

After we said our good-byes and 

gave him permission to go "home",

we were all sobbing.

I told him: "You are so, so loved here

and Mom & Dad

and our grandparents and 

uncles and cousins and family

are all waiting for you-waiting to

welcome you to Heaven".

My sister-in-law added...

"And Snow White".

What? I asked.

Maybe you read a different

Bible than I do cuz I don't

think Snow White is in Heaven.

Everyone in the room erupted

in laughter.

In the burst of laughter

my brother, Charlie,

took his last breath of

life on this Earth.

We knew then that he 

was free to go because

in spite of our sadness

there was one last smile for him.

I'm betting that right now,

up in Heaven,

he is setting our little Anna Bella

up to some mischief

just like  I my father used to 

set him up.

He passed so-so peacefully,

with nary a complaint.

You did good, Charlie,

very, very good.

Now I feel like I have a 

GUARDIAN ANGEL

that watches over me.

As a family, we have moved on,

walking different paths than the ones 

we were on and that is okay.

Happy memories keep us company

on those days when we mourn

our earthly loss.

Take a moment today to 

tell someone you love them.

If there are rifts in your family,

mend them while you have time

for tomorrow is never guaranteed

and there are no "do-overs"

when death comes to visit.

Have a wonderful, blessed day.

I hope YOU have a 

GUARDIAN ANGEL

in your life!

As I write this, my hubby's brother,

STEVE

is drifting towards heaven.

Please pray for a peaceful passing 

for him and comfort for his wife, Carol,

and siblings.

ps.  Snow White?  She was Charlie's cat.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR MY BROTHER-IN-LAW AND HIS WIFE AND ALSO MY SON-IN-LAW JASON.

My son-in-law, Jason,

is fighting the good fight

against brain cancer.

He has very aggressive chemo

which takes it toll.

He is a trooper and

and a fighter.

Please pray for him,

his wife (my daughter Mindy)

and his three children.

You can read the original post here.

My brother-in-law, Steve,

and his wife, Carol, are home 

in Wisconsin now.

You can read the original post here

Please continue to send up

prayers, well-wishes and 

healing thoughts for them

as he fights cancer that

has metastasized.

He has two grown sons and one

sweet grandchild, Ollie.

As many of you know,

my hubby has had three bouts of cancer.

We know the battle!

All prayers, well wishes and 

healing thoughts accepted and welcomed.

JANUARY PICK YOUR TABLE RESULTS...DON'T GET YOUR UNDIES IN A BUNDLE BECAUSE I MIGHT HAVE PICKED ON YOU

 Well,

Here we are.

Ready to see the results and who your

table mates will be?

#1-WOODLAND PARTY

Pam S-is coming but has to sit in the corner if she is still sick.  Leena -coming because she thinks there are BURRITOS on the table.I didn't have the heart to tell her I think those are rolled napkins.bobbie-the critters won her over,  Missy-who has a real bear visiting her yard and eating her bird food, Jeanie, Jenn & Sandra/Dinner@8

#2 JANUARY BLUES- SPRING IS COMING

DONNA-On Team Spring, Mad Snapper-needs clothing to attend, Hootin'Annie, Ginny, Nonie-um-she is onto something about eating animals-?, mxtodes, Roxy-wants to know what time to be there-I KNOW it is not because she wants to have a couple snorts before the party starts, Melanie, Theresa, Marilyn/Mountaintop

#3-HELLO SNOWFLAKE

Dear Gert, Amy/ToodyGooShoes, Kitty, Sandie/Chatty, Debra-Wants champagne-and keep it coming, Jack & Sherry-my sweet RV travelers, MA, Mevely, Lea, Nellie, HappyOne, Billie Jo, Julie, bj and Debbie-Dabble

#4-BLACK AND WHITE ALL OVER

What the What Couldn't believe bj didn't sit here- Penny, Pat, Jan/Jan'sJourney, Nil, GrammyGrits, Laura, Ann-will remain sober as long as I don't serve alcohol-after that all bets are off. Terri D, Vee, Sheila, Lorrie, Linda/LifeJournal, Sweet Lynne, Carla, JennyThePirate-will NOT be drunk because she is a teetotaler. We need to hook her up with Ron...just saying....he has been complaining about hangovers.

#5-JUST SO SIMPLE AND SWEET

Betsy/Estelle's, Diane, Rita, Doris, Tom-says he is a sweet and simple guy...hmmm..we shall see!, Kim/Exquisitely-Already complaining about the chairs, Judy-coming in her pj's-at least I hope she has them on..not sure, Susan/Flutterbys, 

#6-WOOD YOU LIKE TO SIT HERE?

Brenda, Ron The Cocktail King-go see JennyThePirate-she has ZERO hangovers,Cecilia-promising she WON'T get drunk-but that could go South sitting next to Ron, Linda/Life&Linda-will keep the table classy-and water down the drinks, Betsy, Michele, Sandi-wants to know if I cut down a tree for the chargers--ummm..Sandi, my sweet friend...have you ever gone to Hobby Lobby-they're there...promise...

#7-OH DEAR DEER DEAR

Seated here: Liz, Kris-who could use a drink after the week she has had, Polly-says she WILL be sober-not sure if that has been a problem in her past..um....., Bless & Jan/LowCarb

So-there you have it.

We have wrapped up January's table choices.

If I missed anyone- I apologize.  I do this

late at night-sitting up and trying to make sure I get

 everyone in.  

Let me know if I missed your name 

so I can make fun of you, too.

Will see you soon!

Will also start working on a 

VALENTINE'S DAY TABLE.

PRAYERS FOR A SPECIAL FAMILY MEMBER

 I am posting this to ask

for prayers for a special family member.

I grabbed this pic from FB so it is not the best.

Steve & Carol

are missionaries that have been

traveling south for many, many years

to minister to people.

They are some of the happiest people

I know and I am blessed to have

them in my family.

For the past several years

they have gone to Mexico

to help build churches and other buildings

and start ministries there.

Steve became an ordained pastor late in life.

They have the biggest hearts of anyone 

I know.

Steve has been diagnosed with cancer

that has metastasized.

He is very ill at this point

and needs a miracle.

Barring a miracle,

please pray for peace and healing

in his wife's heart and soul

and pray for a smooth transition 

from this earthly life to his heavenly home.

They have a faith-filled marriage

but that doesn't make this process any easier.

Please feel free to put this on

any and all prayer chains. 

Thank you-

If you are not a pray-er,

please send well-wishes and 

healing thoughts their way.

PICK YOUR FAVORITE JANUARY TABLE--NO DRUNKS ALLOWED!

 The reason for the 

NO DRUNKS ALLOWED?

I ran into someone the other day

that said they were still

HUNG OVER FROM NEW YEAR'S EVE!

Seriously?

Personally, I can't imagine.

I "think" they meant that they were just

exhausted after the holidays---but--

who knows!!

So- here we go.

It's January-  a "downer" for some of us.

But---CHEER UP!!!!

You've been invited to a wonderful dinner

with a good friend.

You would put on a great looking outfit

and pick which table to sit at~

Ready?

TABLE #1

WOODLAND-PARTY ANIMALS INVITED

TABLE #2

JANUARY BLUES- SPRING IS COMING

TABLE #3

HELLO SNOWFLAKE! 

TABLE #4

BLACK & WHITE ALL OVER

TABLE #5

JUST SO SIMPLE AND SWEET

TABLE #6

WOOD YOU LIKE TO SIT HERE?

TABLE #7

OH DEAR DEER, DEAR

You know the routine.

Pick ONE--YES ONE--table

to plunk your butt at.

No complaints allowed!

And DON'T ask me what's 

ON THE MENU

because it is NOT my party!

Got it?

As you know- I don't like winter

SO

You will see me immediately 

when you get there......

I'll be the one with the frozen expression!

A SUNDAY PRAYER REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL BLOGGER

 Many of you know our

Ricki Jill Treleaven.

Her blog is 

The Bookish Dilettante

She has always given of herself

to all of us in many ways.

She has shared her book reviews,

her artwork,

her travels,

her family

and her sweet self.

Sadly, she has been hit with that

horrible word

CANCER.

She has breast cancer.

Even though she has breast cancer

it does not define her.

She posted about it on her blog 

but said she will do 

NO MORE POSTS ABOUT IT

until she rings the bell when she

finishes treatment.

Here is what she posted:

Right before Thanksgiving, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  It required quite a lot of diagnostic testing, and I had my first chemo treatment on December 27th.  My prognosis is very good because it was caught early.  I will not be blogging about it at all because cancer does not define who I am.  It will, however, limit my activities because my immune system is being destroyed.  BUT I have fun things planned to do at home, and since all other activities (in person art classes, all travel, DAR, sorority functions, and church) are completely off limits, I will be spending more time blogging.  The only other time I will blog about cancer is when I get to ring the bell after my last treatment.  

She knows that I am doing this post

so feel free to leave her a message here.

She just does not want her blog

flooded with anything to do with

CANCER.

So, all you praying people know what to do.

Thank you all!

~Sending you MY love~

If you are not a pray-er, then

please send well-wishes and 

healing thoughts and vibes her way.

FRIDAY FUNNIES-STEPPING OUT OF THE SHOWER

 At one point,

when I first started blogging,

I did a quite a few 

'FUNNY POSTS'-

at least I thought they were funny.

Because I am trying to 

keep to somewhat of a schedule

I thought 

FRIDAY FUNNIES

might keep me on track.

These posts are mostly nonsense.

Seeing the humor in the 

little daily things in life

that happen to everyone me.

A few years ago my little 

SWEETCHEEKS, age 3-1/2,

was peeking through the 

bathroom door just as I was

stepping out of the shower.

I ask-

Who's there?

The door cracks open

a bit wider.

Guess who?!?!

Me:  What are you doing?

 SC: I'm juss' whatching yohu, Nana..

I seen yohu like thaht

 beforah, yohu know!

Yes! I know!

SC:Nana?

Yes, honey?

You knhow whut?

What?

Yohu luuk a lot bettah

wiffth yohurh clothes on.

Thank you!(sarcastically)

Yohr'er wehlcome (sincerely)

Lord, I think I am finally getting it.

Remember the generation that

said kids were to be seen

and not heard?

Yeah...

NOW I get it!

And there you have it.

Moral: Never undress in front of someone

that does not know how to lie to your face.

And this is what she looks like today-

AND she still won't lie to my face-

   So- What do you think?

More of these little tidbits from daily life?

This is an old "funny"

but many of them will be much newer.

Thanks for following along.

Love my fellow bloggers and friends.

HEART HEALTHY? NOPE! HEART WARMING? YEP!

Here I am!

I said I was going to try to get back

in the groove of blogging again.

I know sometimes bloggers

say they are 

TAKING A BREAK

and then they disappear forever.

I sometimes wonder if their mate

got tired of them blogging and

"offed them"-if you know what I mean!

Anyway

When you wake up and it is 

7 DEGREES outside it is 

WINTER!

Winter calls for food that

"warm-your-bones"!

This is what Midwesterners

like to refer to as

HEARTLAND food-

Mostly because it will put you at

coronary risk...

don't say I didn't warn you. 

image

Now- If you are looking 

GLUTEN FREE 

or 

LOW FAT 

or 

HEART HEALTHY

please run away from here as fast as your

bony little butt will take you.

This is none of those!

I had SOME hamburger but not enough 

to feed two kids and two adults-

and-I did need to use it up.

Isn't raw hamburger kind of gross to look at?

So...I thought- if you can make 

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK

why can't you make 

CHICKEN FRIED HAMBURGER?

Guess what?

YOU CAN!

I had about 2/3 pound of hamburger.

I added 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese,

and 1/3 cup of the Shake & Bake crumbs.

Mixed it all together with my hands 

(yes my hands)

then formed patties that were less than 1/2" thick.

Is 3/8" of an inch too calculated?

Then I turned them once in the flour,

then put them in the beaten egg,

then put them into the 

Shake & Bake mixture.

Lined up and waiting-

Then I cooked them in medium hot oil 

for about 2 minutes per side.

They were delicious.

I served them with carrots and 

sauteed zucchini along with

a microwaved apple topped with

cinnamon and Splenda brown sugar.

 

And while EVERYONE ELSE likes their

chicken fried hamburgers

with a bit of gravy,

I like mine with KETCHUP.

It tastes like a cutlet that way (to me).

Listen- Here is my advice for 2022!

ALWAYS eat before you go

grocery shopping.

Otherwise you will be posting 

a sign like this one.

Have a Happy Wednesday!!

I am going to start to do a little

FRIDAY THING.

I will post the first one this Friday

and y'all can tell me if I should

continue along my schtick.

AND

I will be around soon with another

PICK YOUR FAVORITE TABLE

now that!

I am back in the loop

or loopy-you decide!