WELL, IT'S KIND OF LIKE BEING THERE, ISN'T IT?!

Fleetwood Mac We Love You, But I'm Too Cheap To Pay Your Ticket Prices!


Call me old, call me cheap, I don't care. I love Fleetwood Mac, so does hubby. Listening to their music brings back soooo many good memories of the late 70's (ok, some good, some memories. . . maybe not sooo good!) Fleetwood Mac was here in the metro Detroit area last month. We checked out the ticket prices, thought about attending, then thought some more. Hubby was all for it. . . he didn't care how much the tickets were. I did. It just seems with the present economy the money could be used elsewhere. Like giving additional food to our local food bank. We collect it each week at church and the need is growing. I mean, look, we live in Michigan. Must I explain more?

So, we didn't go. We compromised. We played a live concert on our big screen in my hubby's basement mancave. I mean, it was kind of, sort of, like being there right? We probably saw better, that's for sure.

. . . and I let hubby blast his Boise surround sound system as loud as he wanted (without complaint). Oh, by the way, did I mention my husband has severe hearing loss from all the concerts he attended in his youth? Yeah, he'd get seats so close that he would sit right in front of the amplifiers and blast out his ear drums. I wish he'd get hearing aids, but he's just not there yet. I guess he thinks 52 is too young, but I'd sure like to be able to stop repeating myself to him, once, twice, three times. Or of course, we have the "I didn't hear you say that!" stuff going on too. Or perhaps if he gave up and got the hearing aids. . . there his excuse would go too :)

Blessings. . . until next time,

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT???!!!!????

OK friends, help me out here!!



What's up with the attack on holiday sweaters????? Everyone is making fun of them, swearing they would never want to receive one for a gift (don't worry family/friends, I've never gifted anyone with a CHRISTmas sweater and I don't have any future plans to do so either). I've heard ladies saying they would never be caught dead in one, blogging pictures of them wearing holiday sweaters in the past years and asking "what were they thinking???" blah, blah, blah.


Yeah, that picture is one of my holiday sweaters ~ I have several :) I love to wear them with jeans and a turtle neck the same color as the sweater background. I mean, doesn't everyone? Guess not!


Maybe it's because I'm 49 I don't see any thing wrong with wearing them. Is it an age thingy maybe? I mean, I can't see our 14 1/2 year old or our 21 wearing one, but does everyone feel like that????

. . . just wondering friends, just wondering.

Blessings. . . until next time,

Thank you Jan & Tom's Place!!!

Thank you Jan & Tom!!!!!

While recuperating from my back injury ~ resting in bed! ~ I came across a most delightful blog. It's Jan & Tom's Place. We both live in Michigan too. I found it very coincidental that on the day I was reading Jan's blog she was having a birthday celebration! Jan and I share a very special day ~ our birthdays!! Jan was having a birthday party/tea and invited people to share in her fun. I was all too happy to send her birthday blessings. All people born on October 8th are very special people :) ~ I'm just saying. . . .

Jan was also having a birthday give-a-way for three lucky guest attending her party. What a shock to have received an e-mail from Jan that I was one of the three winning guest!!! Happy Birthday. . . all. . . over. . . again!!


The most wonderful package arrived and I asked our oldest daughter to "capture" each and every moment for me with the camera.

My surprise began with an adorable storage box and matching card. . .

My first and favorite present is a book, "The Secret Place of the Most High" by Clift & Kathleen Richard. I can't wait to start reading this book tonight. What Christian doesn't wish to have a deep intimacy and the closest relationship possible with our Lord and Savior? Teach me all you can Lord and fill me up with your ever present Holy Spirit!!

The presents that Jan sent just kept coming and coming. One delight after another!

Bath salts, a sewing repair kit, tea, candles and a vintage looking picture frame. Perfect for my bedroom redo! I think I'll put Jan's picture in this frame :)

Wow, here's an overall shot of all the lovely, delightful surprises sent by Jan. Go check out her blog. It's wonderful. You'll be glad you did.

Thank you Jan & Tom!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

OOOUUUUCCCCCHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Physical Therapy Begins :)




Well, I started my physical therapy yesterday. I know it has to hurt a lot before it feels better, but wow, I got a whipping! I go back to the torture chamber again tomorrow :)

Blessings until next time,

THANK YOU ~ I'm Feeling Better!!

Thank you to all of my wonderful blogland friends who sent prayers, cards and well wishes my way. I'm feeling so much better now thank you very much!!!

My hubby took me to the doctor again today and I was told that I need to start physical therapy next week 2x a week for 6 weeks. AND ~ today ~ I decided to stopped taking those darn pain meds. that hubby kept giving me (as he was instructed to do at the hospital). I do not like that loopy, light-headed feeling at all. That's not for me. I will take some pain meds. before I go to sleep tonight to help me rest painlessly, but no more during the day time. My doctor told me I could try stopping them if the pain was tolerable. Believe me, I'd rather have a little pain than a loopy, light headed buzz going on. I mean, I like to function properly, know what I mean? Not like, "Oh, whatever, life is but a dream :) "

We do have a wedding to attend tomorrow night and naturally, I was told "no dancing at all" by my doctor :) " That's OK, I'm a lousy dancer anyways!




Since my bedroom is still torn apart (and driving this AAA personality, take charge, creative type absolutely crazy), I cannot post pictures of my new improved bedroom yet. It will be painted this Saturday, if I have to do it myself (just kidding ~ the doctor and hubby said they will roll me if I even think about touching a paint roller right now.) Hubby said he will roll the walls for me Saturday and I will oh, so do my very best not to give my two bits to him while he paints (pray for me folks!) Did I happen to ever mention I'm also a control freak and like to do everything myself? Yeah, another problem of mine.



Anyway, I thought I'd post pictures of our Harvest Decor that I took before my little mishap :) I mean, what fun is a post without pictures anyway? The first few are of the outside of our home ~ Welcome and come on in!


Now that I'm looking at these pictures I realize I've even changed some of these things around a bit since snapping them. Some of the pumpkins are now sitting in urns, some items moved. Oh whatever!! You can get the overall idea. This is a shot of the Great Room.

Close up of the mantle with staggered pumpkins and fall foliage tucked in here and there. Love, love, love those burgundy pumpkins!!

Close up of our sofa table (This is the table I always use to decorate with our holiday decor).

Our little glass block light on the kitchen counter. I think this is sooo cozy with the gold lights inside. Doesn't it just make you want a warm cup of cider?

And finally, our little "Happy Harvest" pumpkin on our kitchen table. The little squirrel is a salt and pepper holder I found at Cracker Barrel a few years back. I think it's so cute. I don't decorate for Halloween, only Harvest/Fall. I'm not into all that celebration of glorifying gore, death, devils, witches, ghosts, etc. That's just my personal feeling. I like to celebrate God's Fall Harvest. I mean, don't get me wrong, I DO give out candy on Halloween LOL!!! I'm not the mean lady in the hood who doesn't turn her lights on or anything :)

I hope and pray that soon I can post our finished bedroom. The walls need painting, the new sleigh bed moved in and the old one out, new decor hung on the walls, drapery made, oh I do hope my back gets back to normal soon. All this to do and not being able to do it is causing me a great deal of FRUSTRATION and ANXIETY!!!!! I like to move, I like to keep active, I live for projects and being and keeping busy. In time, in time, I know.

Blessings. . . until next time,

Bedroom Project Started ~ Interrupted for Hospital Stay!!!

Well, my weekend started out with the very best of intentions!!

I had planned on knocking out the painting of our master bedroom. I finished the master bathroom's painting last week. . . so the next step was our attached bedroom. . . naturally!

Things were going along wonderfully. My hubby helped by taking down the recessed lights and the ceiling fan for me. I cleared off all the dressers, took down all the pictures and patched the holes in the walls.

So far, so good. I was on a roll applying that white ceiling paint, Then I had a "bright" (tongue-in-cheek) idea. If I had to paint the tallest part of this pan ceiling, and I couldn't reach it with the bed in the way (and it was too heavy to move), why not stand on the bed, which was covered with a plastic drop cloth and paint the ceiling with the roller on the extension pole? I stepped from the ladder to the bed and SLIPPED, and almost FELL and CAUGHT myself from falling into the headboard. I jerked and felt a little something snap in my back :)

Oh, I can just work it out I thought. I've done stupid things like this before. So I normally take some Naproxen or Motrin and just keep going. I did.

We finished the ceiling, and had plans for painting the walls on Sunday after church. We stopped, showered, got ready and my husband took me out for my birthday dinner, which is Wednesday the 8th. Hubby travels during the week so we celebrate occasions on the weekends. We traveled about an hour away to the St. Clair River to a very quaint little restaurant called the "St. Clair Inn." The view along the water with the Michigan fall/autumn colors was spectacular and the dinner was wonderful.

We came home, showered and went to bed. I got up (tried to get up I should say) got ready for church and went with my family. I could hardly get into the car my back was hurting so bad. Oh, I'll just work it out as I always do. Sit, stand, sing, greet, sit some more, stand some more. I thought I was going to D I E!!!

I came home from church and got out the heating pad, the ice and tried to lay down. Come on, I always work this out. I decided I needed to take a walk. I went around the block. Pain was shooting down my legs to my knees and I thought I was going to pass-out. Home I came and told hubby to take me to the hospital.

So, that's where I've been for two days. I had a MRI, which shows inflammation in the sacrolites(sp?), the last disc injured and perhaps some infection in this area too was told. So, the physical therapy doctor called for the spine doctor. The physical therapy doctor said I would need to stay for a few more days and take antibiotics intravenously to rid this infection. Oh man tomorrow is our oldest daughter's 21st birthday and Wednesday is mine. GREAT. I didn't want to stay. Thankfully, the spine doctor told me he would take more blood and run more tests and call me tomorrow if I needed to come back. GREAT, GET ME OUT OF HERE!!

So, now I'm home ~ resting in my lovely 1/2 painted bedroom. The ceiling looks great. The walls, not so good yet. After I heal, we'll tackle them. Hubby isn't traveling this week after all. I'm so dopey from all this medication sent home with me; i.e., muscle relaxers, pain medication that I'm rather loopy.

Note to self. . . don't stand on sliding plastic and expect a sure footing with arms extended overhead holding an extension painting pole and roller :)

I may be getting older, but not smarter. . . that's for sure!!

Blessings. . . until next time,

Oh My Aching Back!!

Thank goodness for Motrin is all I have to say!! I have no idea what I did, how I did it, or when I did it, but my back is killing me!!

It may have been the walk I took the other day when I stumbled and slid a little on the ice (yeah, we still have snow and ice here in the great north :( ; it may have been bending over sewing on my new toy (my sewing embroidery machine); it may have been from lifting the cases of water at Costco. Who knows. All I know is that my back is really aching. Aching when I stand, sit, walk, breath! Ouch!!

So what happens just a few moments ago? My husband comes walking into the kitchen to announce that "his back is killing him" too. What in the world? Our mattress is about 9 years old. . . could it be time for another one. I don't think so - but you never know. Oh, my, could it be AGE?

Blessings. . . until next time,

Gift. . . to MYSELF

Well, after cleaning, sorting, consolidating, purging, organizing, rearranging and labeling the basement sewing/storage/exercise/workroom. . . I thought I deserved a little reward he-he.

This is my little present to myself. An electronic home embroidery combination sewing machine. Rated as a Consumer Reports BEST BUY. I've been tossing around acquiring a home embroidery machine for a while now. When I saw this one. . . which was reasonably priced, equipped to do everything I would need it to do - - - I thought "it must be meant to be!" Heck, it even came with PE-Basic. This gives me the capability to download images from my computer and enter them into the USB port on my new machine. How cool is that?

I've been having sooooo much fun learning how to use this machine. I'm taking my time learning one step at a time. This machine is amazing. . . it is even self-threading (included the needle). Which is good for this old gal whose vision ain't what it used to be :)

Blessings. . . until next time,

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

Happy Valentine's Day to all my blogland friends!

How are you planning on celebrating? Anything special? Exciting?

Due to my hubby's work travel schedule we celebrated Valentine's Day last Saturday. We went to the movies to see Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. What a great movie. If you go, take a few extra kleenex along with you. Yeah, it's "one of those!" Jack Nicholson is one of my hubby's favorite actors and Morgan Freeman is one of mine. . . so we knew we had to see this movie. . . and I'm so glad we did. Then we went out to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. It was so nice to just spend the time together, being adults instead of parents for a bit. Thankfully, our cell phones were turned off in the theater. . . so we didn't hear our children calling us. . . like three times. . . during the show! Oh no, nothing important! They just wanted us to bring home an order of Crazy Bread for them. Gee Whiz. I remember my parents going out, or even away for over-night when I was a kid. . . and somehow we survived without calling them!! Yeah those were the days, remember?

Oh yeah, they got their Crazy Bread. We stopped on the way home and picked it up for them - the little darlings : )

Blessings. . . until next time,

R E S C U E ME!!

Rescue me someone, PLEASE!! OK, I've had enough of this Michigan winter stuff. It's freezing here today. Sooooo cold that school has been cancelled!! Why? Because of the liability of the children walking to school, waiting at the bus stops and the buses probably having trouble starting. The wind chill is bitter.

*For some reason spell check on Blogger is still not working. It's a problem that Blogger is aware of and working on. . . so, please overlook and typos you may read :) Thanks!


I just came back from my Weight Watcher's meeting and thought I was going to "die" going out in this cold. I didn't. I've been working my butt off for 5 weeks and so far only lost 7.7 lbs. Better than going the other way, but it's a slow drop. I'm on medications which also slow down my system. . . so I guess 'll take what I can get.



Weight Watchers is great and said I'm going at the pace they prefer, slow and steady. I enjoy the meetings and networking with other ladies. I have struck up a friendship with another meeting attendee who has the same 30 lbs to lose. . . like me. . . again. She's had a lot of stress in her life for the last few years. . . like me! Her 20 year old son was in a car accident in 2005 (fell asleep at the wheel and plowed head on into a semi-truck) and is now paralyzed from the neck down. This is a heavy, heavy load. . . daily and constant care he needs. Sometimes I think the Lord allows us to connect with others so we don't feel like our load is so heavy afterall and to be thankful for the life we have. God Bless her. She is my exact same age and has been married the same number of years as I have. She told me all of their future plans (retirement) have been cancelled now, knowing they will have to care for their son for the rest of their lives. It only takes a second to have a life altered (and those affected by it), doesn't it?

Wow, I think I'm going to go and hug my children now.

Blessings. . . until next time,

B. J. Thomas. . . Remember???

. . . Tripping down Memory Lane:

Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head; Eyes Of A New York Woman; Hooked On A Feeling; Rock and Roll Lullaby; and I Just Can't Help Believing . . .

One of my "goals" for 2008 (I don't call them resolutions - just sets one up for failure. A goal is something to work at and achieve, a resolution is something that one resolves to do, or never do again - I like the word "goals" better. More flexibility!) is to spend more time with my hubby, go on more dates and not just "go out to eat." Not going out to eat will also help me achieve, hopefully, another one of my "goals!" That is to drop a few pounds. Eating and cooking at home is much healthier and I can control how our food is prepared and the portion size.

Anyways, back to the topic of this post. We went to see B. J. Thomas a few Saturdays ago and thoroughly enjoyed the concert. Talk about a flash from the past. It took me right back to the early 70's - and I enjoyed the trip. What a smooth voice B. J. has. . . and not to mention his testimony. Being caught up in the fam took B. J. down a road of alcohol and drugs like so many musicians. He is recovered from these addictions and giving all the Praise to the Lord. His blessed wife, of almost 40 years, stayed right by his side and prayed him through. What a blessing for him to have a praying wife.

My hubby and I enjoyed the concert (along with all the other middle agers) and being together so much that we are going to be planning more "couple time" outings very soon - minus the eating out part.

Now, I think I'll check AMAZON for some B. J. music. I could use a CD or two - I enjoyed the stroll down memory lane and wouldn't mind visiting again!

Blessings. . . until next time,

Oh, Just for the Fun of It!!

For those of you who are older, you'll remember this. Those of you who are not. . . Just skip this post :)

A while ago while browsing through the antique stores near our cottage, I came across the above little "gem." Remember the joke, (before caller ID), when someone would call you and ask, "Do you have Prince Albert in a can?" If you responded "Yes," they would say, "Well, let him out!" Listen people, I'm not actually old enough to remember cigarettes in a can, but I remember my parents (and grandparents) telling me about this. Kind of along the lines of "Is your Westinghouse (refrigerator) running?" "Well go catch it!" Oh, never mind.

I thought this cute little antique conversation piece would be just a perfect addition to our basement game room area. And it is. It was only $5. Even if no one gets the joke (like our kids looked at me like I was crazy - but hey, they always thought popcorn was made in the microwave, that we always had microwaves and that remotes always changed the TV channel). . . well at least my Dad enjoyed seeing this treasure. He "got it!" *sigh* I think this aging thing may actually be starting to get to me!!

Blessings. . . until next time friends,

Sigh. . . Sweetest Day - Don't Forget!

Don't forget tomorrow is Sweetest Day. I forgot. Today my oldest told me that her sweetie is taking her out to dinner tonight because they have a wedding to attend tomorrow night. . . So they can't go out and celebrate. . . alone. Sigh, remember those days?

When I informed Hubs that our oldest would not be joining us for dinner tonight, and why, he responded "Oh no, tomorrow's Sweetest Day?" "Yeah, but let's just go out for coffee or something, OK?" was my response. "We're not doing anything big, OK?" We just had 3 family birthday celebrations this month. Our oldest, my father-in-law and mine. Enough gifts, enough spent. . . thank you very much.

We may be older, and our Sweetest Day and Valentine's celebration are not as elaborate, but I'm still madly in love with the Sweetie that I married over 26 years ago. Thank You Lord for binding us together so many years ago. You, Lord, certainly knew who was the perfect mate for this child of yours.

It's certainly "sweeter" as the years go by. . .

Blessings. . . until next time,

Wednesday's Wonderings. . . .

A few days ago I had the dreaded by all women, annual check-up. No one likes going, but we must to stay healthy. After the medical assistant brought me back to the examining room she asked me to have a seat on the examining table. She then proceeded to have her back to me the entire time while asking me questions and entering my answers into the computer. I understand computers expedite things, but it just seems so cold and uncaring to not have that personal eye contact. Do any of you feel like that? I think someone should at the least design a work station table where the medical assistants can access behind the table. . . and face the patients while they input information into their computer system. It just seems so rude to have to talk to someone's back the whole time you're being questioned. Perhaps I'm just old, but I was always taught it's rude to turn your back to someone. Besides, I had a hard time hearing what she was even asking me! I guess the medical field has even lost that human touch and now has become automated as well. Probably soon, we won't even need the medical assistants. A voice activated computer will just ask us the questions and input our voice activated answers! A machine could take our blood pressure and temperature just as easily too. . . . Hmmm, I wonder. . . ?

Anyways, just wondering if anyone else feels like that?

I will say, that my doctor is wonderful, however. She makes wonderful eye contact, never, ever rushes me and makes me feel like I am her most important patient. . . and she never once, turned her back to me. : )

Blessings. . . until next time,

Taaaaa-Daaaaaa - It's DONE!!

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, my present to myself . . . It's done!! My secretary has been lovingly repainted to fit my decor. I painted my piece in Satin Black. It's perfect for my room and for this corner of my room. I finally have it finished and couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I've taken pictures for you to see it both open and closed. I will be leaving it open, since I think the inside cubbies, drawers and little cupboard are a "work of art." . . . And also a pain in the neck to paint so I'll want to see the fruits of my labor!

I do have one additional item to add to my secretary. . . a small lamp for on the shelf. I have the "perfect" lamp (garage sale find), I just need to rewire it. I don't want to drill a hole large enough to accommodate the electrical plug. I'm thinking I'll either take it apart, or see if The Home Depot or Lowes have a new snap on plug (that would work well too). . . then I'll just need to drill a small hole to accommodate the cord, reattach the plug and we're in business.

Do you like it? I hope so. I love it! . . . or as my 13 would say, "I heart it!"


Blessings. . . until next time,

Edited to show the secretary before I painted it.

Happy Birthday and a Temporary Change to Blog

Friday night we had a "small" birthday gathering for our oldest daughter. She's turning 20 today, Sunday, the 7th. Both sets of grandparents came over as well as my daughter's boyfriend and his parents. I'm so glad everyone was able to come help us celebrate! Both my daughter and I love the fall, so we were so looking forward to an indoor tailgate party. We planned to serve "hot" mulled cider, chili, grilled sausage and hot dogs and watching the game on hub's big screen TV in the basement "man-cave." However, it was 87 degrees here in Michigan!! It was more like a summer heat-wave than a fall tailgate party. I had the A/C on and we went ahead with the gathering, minus the hot cider. We drank the cider it ice cold instead.

This has been a year of big birthdays in our house. My hubby turned 50, our oldest turned 20 and our youngest turned 13. One daughter went into the teen years while the other left them and my hubs is now eligible for the AARP!!

. . . then speaking of birthdays, I have one myself on Monday. Aaaaauuuuuugggggggghhhhhh!! Since my husband travels, we celebrated Saturday night. He took me to a great restaurant that I have been wanting to go to. Afterwards, we walked around downtown and had the best time. Just together. No kids. Wonderful. Aaaaaahhhhhhh.

I also want to mention that I have deleted, temporarily, the Bible Snippets of the day. I'm looking for one in the NIV, not the KJV. Just a preference of mine. I find it easier to understand.

By the way, I am younger than my hubby. I'm not turning 50 (and won't be for a few years.) . . . just wanted to get that straight : )

Blessings. . . until next time!