rocky recovery road....so far

surgery went great. 
nasty little bone spur was the culprit 
that tore the rotator cuff.

sweet friend took us in her luxury heated seat car.
hubby had been sick w/stomach flu saturday nite.
we welcomed a driver and i welcomed having 
the female factor along.

hubby is good, women nurture better however.

tuesday morning i had let the pain win.
not good. horrid. 
i just sat on the motel bed, weeping and waiting for the meds 
to kick in. all i could say was 'holy. holy.'
pretty sure God understood.
and i have a better realization of what the crucifiction felt like.
don't recommend it. 

had been itchy, 
thought it might be the scrubbing stuff.
then was getting harder to swallow those drugs.
this a.m. decided it was allergic reaction to those drugs.
went to local doc. got steroid shot. 
breathing much better,
throat not swollen,
nasal passages clear,
itchy gone.

yup, i'm allergic to pain meds.

adds new dimension to recovery.

and then my sweet little momma
the cancer and her body are being naughty to her
blood count numbers so low, requiring daily shots. 
daily drive to cancer center. 35 miles one way.

dad drove them last week to chemo.
mom said they drove all over the road.
so, they definitely need a driver.
i'm out of commission,
but thank God for my siblings.

also mom is having tia's. 
those little mini strokes. 

most days if you ask me how my mom is
 this is what i think.
" my mom has cancer. 
my mom is dying."

I may or may not tell you that, 
but its what i think.
she does too. 

good news, she didn't loose as much weight this week.
yeah. 
good news,
i get to take a shower this evening. woo hoo


i call it my
"shower w/a friend." since I cannot do it by myself.


youngest daughter asked 
"who's your friend"
I replied
"your father"
"ewwww" 


that's funny.

rejoice in the Lord always-challenge

"giving thanks always"

big deep breath..
rejoice
okay.
giving thanks...
okay.


let me try


*thank you God I woke up healthy Sunday and every day
*I woke up knowing I could worship you with others who believe in you.

*thank you for that little yellow car that starts when it needs to,
has air conditioning and gets me where I need to be.
*thank you for the hubby who paid for that car and the gas,
with out complaining.
*thank you for the daughter who understands sometimes life 
is more challenging than other times, yet she knows how 
loved she is by her parents. even when they literally go different directions instead of getting to eat lunch with her and spend the afternoon together.
*thank you God for my siblings who's capable hands will be the physical and oh so important emotional support needed for our parents.
*thank you God I can drive, fly and arrive safely on the this weeks path
*thank you God for nsaids and how well they work.
*thank you God for sweet kids in Texas who's preemie son is growing strong and healthy, each hour even. 
*thank you God for allowing me to express my crazy emotions on paper. i know i feel better and once in awhile others do too. 
*thank you God our son has a job
*thank you God for our other daughter and her loving and fun hubby
*thank you I have a suitcase to pack and time to pack in.


okay...
I didn't do too bad.
it's your turn. 
let me hear 'em

a few pretty pics by the photographer.

At times I am still amazed the wedding is over.

At times I am still amazed we were blessed with so many 

people in the backyard.

 And that's not all of them.

Wanna see some of my favorite pics?

RMG watching Bride walk in.

 RMG and the minister

being silly.

Dad and Daughter being tender.

a prayer for peace

 

Much media focus has been on the September 11th tragedy this week.

I am unable to watch or read about it.
Not that I don't care.
Not that I don't hurt for the many who lost family members.
I do, sincerely. 


I just selfishly don't want to be part of the grieving. 
Realistically who wants their heart torn apart, for years?
No one that I know.

On Sunday, in my early early morning hours our son flies home.
It will be 10 a.m. in Paris when he gets on the plane.
3 a.m. on my clock. 
He and his 7 teammates fly to Houston. 
Lord willing. 

Initially when I knew he was flying home on that day
I was unconcerned.
But this past week with the media hype, I've found anxious 
thoughts attempting to take over my peace.
I want my son to come home, safe and sound. 
I don't want to be anxious about it however.

I will feel much relief when I get that phone call or text
saying " I'm home Mom."


" Dear Jesus,
you know my fears, rational or not. 
they are what they are.
Perhaps I'm not the only anxious person this weekend in the USA.
I ask you to forgive my anxiousness and questioning.
I'm really not enjoying it at all.
Please fill me and us all with peace.
YOUR PERFECT PEACE.
Settle my restless thoughts and quickening heart. 
Help my focus to be positive, 
glass half full, 
content in your plans for our life, and our son's life.
I know the only way to get through hard times 
is hanging on to your hand. 
And really the only hard time I'm having right now is with my doubts and worry of WHAT MIGHT BE. 


May I settle down in to you.
Surround us all with peace.
May your presence be prominent 
and our hearts full of joyous praise. 
In your name,

amen." 

a funny tale

Earlier today I breezed into a semi-dark bedroom,
my arms loaded with freshly washed linens.
Out of the corner of my eye something small, gray, 
about the size of a half dollar moved across the floor. 

Spider!
Haven't seen a daddy long legs THAT color before.
Must be some exotic one.

It moves again.
Gotta find a shoe to kill the thing!!

As I scramble for the weapon, 
I notice the spider is no longer moving.

So I swish my foot in the spiders direction,
flip-flop at-the-ready.

No motion. 
Perhaps he's playing possum.

Swish again. 
Still no spider motion.

Upon closer inspection I discover
the  exotic spider is really an
common dust bunny!

Perhaps I DO need to go to
my yearly eye appointment. 

Proverbs 21:9

Do your kitchen knives, forks, etc., ever get a field trip?

Lucky you if they DON'T.

Periodically mine do. 
I've never signed them up for it.
they don't want to go...

regardless

Last evening hubby was taking a stereo out of a car.
He needed something long and thin...just like a table knife.
I heard him rummaging in the kitchen, then head out the door.
I KNEW what he was up to. 
Up I jumped, rescued the good flatware
suggested he use the cheap-bends-really-easy set. 
After all we only paid $20 dollars for it, 
compared to the pieces in his hand.


He sighed big ...and finally agreed.
But.....
he did still have my better paring knife in his hand.
I just hollared..
" fine..I'll just go buy me a new paring knife!
You'll have to pay for it.!" 
( technically he paid for the one in his hand too)


I was furious!
I wanted to follow him out to the car,
go and hollar, rant and rave.

However, that's not a good idea,
doesn't set a good example,
makes me look foolish,
and often doesn't bring about the desired result.  


So I sat on the couch and fummed.
Eventually he came in,
put them back in the drawer!!
I said sweetly and kindly (HA!)
"At least WASH them before putting them back!"

He responded with much love and gentleness (double ha) 
in his voice
"we DIDN'T even use them!"

Not much conversation after that.
It was bedtime after all.

While I was enjoying nursing my anger,
he was in the bedroom laughing at the tv.
WELL!! 
Maybe I'll sleep across the hall tonight!
Then he'll know I mean business.
I AM MAD!



But I didn't.
I slept right beside that snoring man.
I slept all night long. 
Peacefully.

I remembered a  Proverb.
Proverbs 21:9 specifically
"Better to live on a corner of a roof
than to share a home with a quarrelsome wife."
 

I like weddings...

really, 
I do like weddings.
the realization of dreams coming true,
and the hope of a life-time of.... contentment.


Earlier this summer I was blessed to reconnect with a friend and former co-worker. 
She was understanding this wedding journey, because 
she is a Mom of the Groom. 
We commiserated with each other over the little frustrations
that do arise.
Let's face it. 
We are dealing with humans here.
But also celebrated the joy and fun stuff too.


Just this past weekend her son got married.


Today she began writing about the weekend, 
their rehearsal supper adventures...
and even included pictures.


I love it.
Another outdoor wedding.
Another taking a-chance-on-the-weather.


I've heard the rehearsal weather was cooperative,
but waiting to hear about the wedding.


Regardless...
I'm sure it was sweet.

You wanna tell me about your wedding adventures or 
mis-adventures...
I'd love to hear them.
Honest. 


Everyone needs a listening ear..
and guess what?
I've got 2 available ones.










 

I decided to move..

 since the wedding is over, this blog name doesn't seem 
to fit so much anymore.
wander over here if you want,
I'll still be musing, just on different things.


http://flowerpowermomma.blogspot.com/2011/08/i-moved.html

happy honeymoon and hodgepodge

Bride and RMG are headed off to their honeymoon on Wednesday. 
They are excited.
I'm happy for them.

hodgepodge....
1.was fun to surprise Bride this past weekend with her sister.

 

2. it was joy to celebrate this wedding 

the love in their faces as they said their vows...
brought tears to many eyes. 
guess who cried when the bride was escorted in by her uncle?
me.
did i cry at my daughters wedding?
no...
probably the only time I've NOT teared up when the bride comes in!

3.  Our son got a job! he's doing some training this week.
In mid August he'll be off to France for continued training.
Today, he had helicopter survival training.
Which means he had to get out of a helicopter that is underwater..

I asked he call when he was done..
just so i would know he was out!

He mentioned they are not made for 6 ft. 5 men.
but he did get out! 
thanks God.

4. little sister has continued car trouble
this weather is too hot and adding stress to old car.

not sure how this will be resolved

5. I'm giving serious thought to working part time.
Now I'm no longer doing wedding planning...
I have free time!  : )

HAPPY AUGUST

the Saturday before the wedding was very busy. 
setting up 2 venues for 200 people.
it took about 20 people to do it swiftly and smoothly

2 kids showed up at our home to help. on time too.
I really didn't know them, 
but that didn't matter, it was the best man and his fiancee'. 


I asked if they had breakfast at their motel.
" well...if you could call a stale donut...breakfast.."

I offered them something here.  "no, we'll be fine."
eggs? yogurt? cereal?
"no we'll be fine."
eventually....
She agreed to yogurt,, then he did too.
I made them bacon and they agreed to eat it.
: )


These 2 kids worked hard for 2 days.
they are organized, competent and very willing.
Besides those great qualities...
THEY ARE FUN.


Brown-eyed-handsome-hubby and I are honored to 
attend their wedding tomorrow.
just down-right honored.


that's our next few days adventure...
plus we're bringing a surprise for our kids.
( and no..it's not a box full of your stuff.)

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

Is RMG'S birthday!! 

He and Bride are flying to the wedding of his best man and his adorable sweetie. 

we will get to see all these delights TOMORROW.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR FAVORITE SON-IN-LOVE!!!!

 

I married a good man

I did. 
Today we sent our son off to a new job 12 hours from home. Eventually he will be more hours away as he works off shore on those oil rigs in the oceans. 
It's been a challenging few years for him with the recession and  job loss. But through it all, he has kept his chin up, and continued the search.
Today, as we hugged him good bye my brown eyed handsome man said, " We are proud of you Son. You've done a good job all this time with your attitude and continue to hunt when it seemed useless." 

I appreciate this blessing he gave the Son. 
I know the Son appreciated it, because he told us so. 
I told my hubby afterwards too. 
I've heard him do this with all of our kids, 
give them a verbal blessing. 
Such a gift for them.

Not only does their daddy show love and support by helping them through the hard times, no matter what age they are, but they also get the verbal validation. 

Words do make a difference.
What are your words saying?




 

new friends

A big joy about our daughters wedding was the people.
We had old framily and new framily attending.


Was delightful to meet RMG's friends and family.
Especially his child hood friends. 
Would have been fun to visit with them and hear their stories...
I think. : )

 

These were taken on work day.

See the blond guy in the green shirt? He was the best man and oldest friend of RMG. Well.... green shirt guy and that darling blonde girl sitting between RMG and GSG are getting married next week.

Guess what?

They invited us

and We get to go.!!!

These kids are some of my new framily. I plan on keeping in touch with them and hope to celebrate life in all aspects with them. 

When we went to the Wedding Reception on the west coast we got to meet more framily. 

More kids for me to love and celebrate life with.

 Here they are in their natural habitat.

Do you recognize RMG? 

Hair cuts do change your looks a tad.

These kids not only drove/flew miles to attend and support Bride and RMG, but they helped us set up AND take down. 

Just as we finished up washing the last of the kitchen supplies, the sweetest thing happened. 

See this dashing man on the right? 

He came to his little wifey looking expectantly, reached for her hand and quietly said, " they are dancing." 

Immediately she stops what she's doing, 

takes his hand and they join the others. 

It was sweet. 

I liked it.

Bride commented it was probably her favorite part of that day.

After snapping these pics..I joined my brown-eyed-handsome man and we took a spin around the dance floor too.

 

interesting discovery

I found a roll of florist's tape today. 
Not too unusual considering I AM a florist.

However, I normally store it in my took kit.

Imagine my surprise when I moved the black raspberry jelly

  to discover the florists tape.

It was a fun, yet crazy  wedding week....

obviously.

Ridiculousness with Sam's Club

Or

  Dillons and Ace Hardware will be getting more of my business.

This past spring I joined Sam’s club online. I was told to pick up my card at my local club..60 miles away. 

No problem.  ??? ha ha.

I went to the store and initially they were unable to figure out how to help me since I did this online.  So they suggested I shop and return to the service desk for my card. 

I did. Had no trouble, checked out and was not asked to swipe my card. Paid w/my debit card, went on my merry way. 

When I had asked to get a card for my husband was told he had to go in himself.

He did on his next trip there. Got his card, no problem. Went to pay, was frustrated he couldn’t use his Visa card, so applied for Discover and was accepted then and there. 

Used it all, was a happy camper.

Nearly 2 months later he mentions he has a Discover card from Sams and did I get one? 

NO. 

So he calls them in an attempt to get me a card on his account. After several calls to Discover and Sams they say…   “We don’t have a membership for your wife anywhere. In fact, her number belongs to a man…( we don’t know him fyi). Go straighten this out at your local store.”

WHAT?????

Last night we tried. 

The very competent man behind the counter was totally perplexed when he realized the number discrepancy. 

He calls the manager. 

She checks it out. Eventually it’s determined to give us a new number/account.  I make sure we do not have to pay another membership fee and we are assured we won’t. Once the employee makes many phone calls to headquarters? and Discover we hopefully are set to go. 

Kind of.

I had to apply for my own Discover card because I can’t be put on Dan’s. 

Some odd rule about me being the primary user on the Sam’s membership keeps me from using his credit card. 

( yes. You read that right. Total nonsense )

Dan even talks to the Discover card people attempting to get this to work.  

 No luck. 

Fine. I apply for my own. 

Which ironically Dan CAN be put on mine since he’s not the primary one on the Sams’ membership.

Confused yet?

I am NOT making this up.

We really are trying to play by their rules and ridiculousness.

We each get our new cards with our new number and off we go shopping.

Knowing I don’t have a credit card yet, Dan swipes his card. All things are fine until they charge him the $40 membership fee. Remember the manager assured us we would not have to pay a new fee to change the number.  

Guess what? We go back to the service desk, the man is sooo happy to see us I’m sure. 

He calls the companies..Sams and Discover. 

No luck. 

He even questions them about some of the rules. 

Frustration and amazement was happening on both sides of the counter that evening.

Seems they won’t even let Dan purchase  w/o paying another membership fee. They will not accommodate their “new” members at all, who have already paid the fee.

In fact we used our VISA card online to open it up.

Yet Sam’s won’t take Visa in the store?

Irony of ironies…

I quietly unload the groceries right there in front of the service desk from my re-useable Dillons bags.

We thank the nice man behind the counter, assuring him we don’t fault him for any of this stupidity and we walk out the door.

We have lived all of our lives with out Sam’s club. 

We can continue to do so. 

Currently because I think this whole thing is soooo beyond ridiculous... I’m even boycotting Walmart. 

Fyi.  The milk was cheaper at Dillons!!!!

wild and crazy people party here...

reception guests..

frequents guests at Bride and RMG's.

this family are chef's supreme....

and fun 

fun lives out here...can u tell?

this particular group was found along the 

side of road...and just joined in. 

well..these have yet to be indentified...

we are done...

the last wedding event has happened...successfully too.

we met lots of friends of bride and rmg...many who traveled either across the state or across many states to come celebrate. nice people....very nice.

you know who your friends are when not only do they help you decorate and set up....but they stay and help take it all down. Was great to get to know these couples better. In fact we've invited them to join us in Colorado some time....probably a year down the road...but still.

another good set of friends helped w/the food, and even fed us.
Friday evening we dined on Bacon Explosion and Pulled Chicken in their lush backyard. Then snuggled up around the fire pit laughing and giggling for several hours.
Bride and RMG are very blessed to have such good friends.
We are very blessed to get to spend time w/all these kids.

due to computer glitches...it will be  few days before I can post photos here

am I sad this part of my daughter's life's journey is over?
not really.
we've enjoyed the whole experience
but life goes on
and we are excited about moving on with it.

one more bridal event....whew...

My brown eyed handsome man and I have been traveling since Sunday afternoon. 
" go west young man? " 
hmmm,...okay, 
" go west middle aged man!"

Bride and RMG and MOB and FOB are hosting a wedding reception at their church this Sunday. 
 Hence the looooonnnng drive...
but we are also vacationing..so it's good.
Stopped to see the Battle of Little Big Horn location. 
Interesting to see the various hills and 'hidey holes'.
But my favorite is the scenery, its gorgeous there.


Today we went mining for Sapphires in Montana.. 
my b.e.h.man found a nice one even. woo hoo


tomorrow we'll do a lake cruise and then wander on down to see the newlyweds. 

freedom

It's such an easy word to spell, 
to say,
and sometimes for me to think of.


However, I'm not the one who fought for freedom, 
made the sacrifices, so the word does seem easy.


I am blessed.


today in church we sang our national anthem, 
even the last verse.
how powerful the words hit me today..


Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


what a gift I have to live in this country.


I am blessed.
We are all blessed.

July 2, 1977

As the sun

starts a new day

so our love

begins a new life

My daddy and I walked out 

on a brick sidewalk in

my parents backyard....

so I could marry my 

brown eyed handsome man

under this lovely old elm tree 

on the farm. It was planted by my grandpa

and watered by my dad and uncle Ernie.

 

Notice the boston fern plant?

It's blowing in the wind along

with the trees in 

the background.

 

 

Just a couple of kids.

He was 20, I was 19.

Happy 34th anniversary Honey.