Photograhpy in the Rain

 I just never know what that daughter of mine will come up with next!! 

She came down for us to go to lunch. She didn't know it would be drizzling rain but a bit of water never deters her.

She knows I love my photography and now days it's not always easy for me to get out by myself to snap a thing or two. So, I get in the car (amid the misty rain) and she starts driving around our building. "Roll down your window Mom", she says. 

"It's raining", I protest.

"But there are colorful leaves to shoot... and fall flowers... come on, roll it down".

So, I roll down my window and have a lovely time of it adding some fall pictures to my collection. She knew that would make me happy, rain or not. 

Memories of a Move

                                                   Was it 24 years ago? Seems like yesterday! 

Our children had grown up and moved away, leaving me and Elbert alone on that 60 acre farm. We were getting older (Elbert was 69, I was 65), time to think about all the work of taking care of such a place, of missing out on so much of our grandchildren's lives. So, we packed up and moved closer to family. 

I can't say Elbert was too happy about the move. He thought he would be able to tend to all that acreage, the dozen cows, the dozens of fox hounds, make a garden, mow the grass ...

 he just couldn't see that his body and mind would fail him. Me... I was so ready to downsize, be closer to family. So, it was a tug-'o-war. 

The move was emotional, especially for the children who had grown up there. But, that move proved to be the best thing that could have happened. 

Within one years time Elbert was diagnosed with prostrate cancer (radiation for that). Then in another year I discovered I had colon cancer (surgery, chemo for that), then followed two total knee replacements for me and a diagnosis of Alzheimers for Elbert. That illness entailed 10 more years of constant care for him. We lost him in Jan 2011. 

Now, don't you tell me that God did not have a plan in place about our move. We never would have made it living so far away from our children during all that. I am so grateful for God's guidance when we needed it the most.  

Enlightening Moments

                                                         Lordy Mercy, where does time go? 

I've had some interesting and enlightning moments this week. 

1. For the first time since getting a walker (which I do not need except when I go out where the terrain might be difficult), I used it for my appt. with my surgeon. Oh, and btw, my walker is metallic hot pink.. thanks to my daughter. I told her I'd shoot her if she got me a hot pink walker. She's still alive!! And, I love the color. I am never at a loss for where it is! 

2. For the first time I used my brand new handicap placard! It made it so much easier for me to park in a more secure place and get where I needed to go without getting tired out. I fought getting a handicap placard... It was something 'old people' had to use. haha. Where did I get that idea? I am so happy I have it. 

3. I trust my surgeon 100% so when he suggested I 'tuck tail' and go back to see my oncologist I told him I would. I had quit my injection treatment for the HR2 positive. Long story and I won't bore you but if the surgeon says I should reconsider, then I will.

4. Went to a Health/Wellness workshop on Wed. I was already on the 'healthier lifestyle' kick anyway so that was helpful and encouraging. Here's my brunch plate this morning. 

a scrambled egg atop a bed of southwest blend of brown rice, quinoa, black beans, corn and Pabloma pepper. sliced tomato and sliced avocado. I squeezed lemon juice over it all. Yum.

5.It's been a rough year for me so I do sometimes get depressed and just want to crawl in a hole and let the world go by. But, I can't do that!! I have way too much left to do, to share, to enjoy. So, when I get in those moods I just have to crawl out of that hole and march forward. I know that I am not alone, that I have so many friends who are marching along on this journey with me. We gals gotta stick together.

6. And, as of today (Friday) I am preparing for a tropical storm to hit me. Haha. What next!!!! Well, I just gotta look at each thing, good or bad, as another adventure. So, the adventure aspect of this storm will be me trying to secure the items on my balcony so that they don't blow away. 

                                 Now for some fun stuff. 

I am counting down the days until Michael arrives. He'll be going on to Annapolis, Maryland to attend the boat show there. But... when he heads back home... guess what... I will be a passenger in his car heading south. I always enjoy visiting him so much and we got some plans already in the works. Will keep you posted it. 

Chickens At The Fair!

 The fair was pretty mundane until we got to the farm animal tent. Then I perked right up and started enjoying myself. Must be that Southern Farm Girl gene in me. 

When I was about 5 or 6 I had a pet bantam rooster. I was very sad when he died. 

When I was a fairly new newly-wed Elbert and I had an egg farm. A hundred hens who kept us in enough eggs to eat for ourselves and to sell.

And, we had chickens when Elbert retired from the Navy and we moved to the farm in Alabama. 

So, chickens have been a part of my life here and there. Glad I don't have any now. But, I had a great time enjoying them at the fair. 

Going to the Fair

 I learned some lessons yesterday... but then again, I learn some lessons of some sort nearly every day.

Shirley and John were headed to the county fair and asked if I would like to go. I've been going to fairs now and again all my life so I said sure. But, it had been over 10 years since I'd been to one.

Well, let me tell you.... ten years makes a whole heap of difference when you are getting on up in age!!

I found out that my walker just would not manuever over that rough terrain. If I wasn't being brought to a sudden halt by a small rock in my path, it was a twig the size of my finger that stopped me. I finally gave up and started using my cane . Thank goodness I had Shirley and John who did a fabulous job helping me about. 

I found out that hotdogs at the fair don't taste like they used to... and that a large cup of iced tea was $6. 

I found out that the participation in a county fair has dwindled to very little. That was disappointing!

I found out that, although I would have so loved to have ridden the camel, the getting from the platform into the saddle just wasn't for 89 year olds to attempt. 

I am glad I went.... but I won't attempt that again. Just too dangerous, too trying, not as I remembered it. I'll cherish my memories of past fairs and let it go. 

A New Recipe for Breakfast - eggs and avocado

 Breakfast hasn't always been my favorite meal of the day. Mostly I'd grab a bowl of cereal and be ready to go.... 

But, now that I don't have to 'go' anywhere I am changing up my way of thinking about this breakfast thingy. 

I have found out that eggs are so easy and so good and I seem to lately consume quite a number of them. 

I do love deviled/stuffed eggs. That way to fix them is so Southern!! And, as you all know, I am a Southern gal.  But, I don't recall ever eating a deviled egg for breakfast... 

But, I am talking about a new way I have discovered that I love and as soon as I get through talking to all of you I am heading into the kitchen to have me my favorite breakfast!! 

Have you tried out this recipe? If not, maybe you will. It's finger-licking good!

Does a Sub Have Salt? You Betcha!

 This watching my sodium intake is getting to be a 'pain in the ...'. 

I have checked every label when there was one to check. Most times I have to toss that food due to the high numbers. I swear, I don't think there's much to eat without it being chockful of salt. 

With the new meds my blood pressure is the best it's been in years and years. So, I have been 'fudging' a bit on what I eat. I do love good food and I can't see me being a miserably hungry old lady  for the remainer of my days. Right? Live it up but be cautious, I guess is my new motto. 

For example, Michael had bought me a couple of those new frozen 'bowl' meals to try out. The lo mein one had more sodium in it than what I was supposed to have all day long!!

 I've been doing more cooking of fresh or frozen veggies, using Mrs. Dash or other herbs instead of my beloved salt. But, an hour later I am hungry!!

So, what did I do this afternoon? Went to Subway and got me one of those yummy chicken teriyaki 6" subs to divide between lunch and dinner. A gals gotta do what she's gotta do... right?

Drastic Changes Up AHead.

 I have been on a rampage lately!! Well, I wouldn't call it a rampage 'cause that denotes something vicious and damaging. Let's see... what word could I use... a mission, maybe... a new path, perhaps. 

The truth is I am sick to death of how I am right now. Not, who I am inside... I fought hard to get that! It's the looking the same ole, same ole, being satisfied to not be on top of my game as far as my appearance goes. 

I look in that closet and it is jammed full of stuff that neither matches or is so outdated. So, I end up wearing whatever! And, then there was that day I got caught in my pjs ...

So, I have plans to do some serious purging in that closet. 

On to another subject, but sort of related.

I tried out a new hairdresser this past week. I just turned her loose and let her do her thing. I have never had my hair this short before!! My girls are gonna kill me (they like it longer... but hey, it's my hair!) 

I love the ease of taking care of it.. I just wash, towel it semi-dry and then just flip up some curls (I do have naturally curly hair) with a brush. I could live with that!!! 

I did order me some new shoes and they are due to arrive Tuesday. My feet are so narrow and you just can't find narrow shoes sitting on shelves in stores anymore. I hope those new shoes work out fine. I'll let you know.

I am gonna be really UGLY right now. But, I saw this and just cracked up. I would so love it if a doc had the nerve to do this... and I could be a fly on the wall when the gal got home to her sweetie. Oh, the look on his face!! I laugh every time I think about it! Oh well, it doesn't take much these days to entertain me. haha. 

Getting Caught in my PJs

 

Even though I live alone and sometimes for days on end, do not see a soul, I try to dress, put my makeup on and sometimes add earrings and other jewelry. It just makes me feel better about myself.

But, then there comes a day... ever once in awhile... that I just want to be lazy! 

Such was last Sat. I knew I would be spending my afternoon curled up in my recliner watching college football and it being Saturday I just knew in my heart that no one would come by. So, at noon I am still in my pjs. 

And, it always happens. 

Knock, knock!

Oh Lordy, there's someone at my door.

So, I slowly crack the door a tad and there stands my friend/neighbor holding a piping hot dish of mac and cheese for me. 

I just looked at her and sheepishly said, 'It's Jammie Day'. 

All I needed was fluffy bedroom shoes with floppy ears and my hair up in curlers! 

But, I am so happy to see her and happier to see that mac and cheese, so I let her in.

I swear I won't let that happen again........

But, you can bet your bottom dollar that the next time I am being lazy in my pjs, somebody will knock on my door.

That's okay.... if they are bringing mac and cheese!! 

A Feel Good Time

 I try to be a positive person but I often fall short. 

This world seems to be gurgling down a big black hole in the way of morals, ethics, just being good. 

It takes it's toll!

But, I discovered something that gives me a 'feel good time' every single morning. 

Yep, It's Sean of the South. That boy has a way with telling stories that just make you feel good. You might laugh, you might get out a kleenex or two but there's always a subtle message and you just walk away with a spring in your step. 

This Sean of the South can be found at seandietrich.com.  I signed up to receive his stories via email. So, every morning, I sit down at my computer, sign in to my email and read his latest. It just makes me start  the day off right. 

Happy Labor Day!

To all my friends who celebrate Labor Day... have fun, be safe and don't do a blessed thing today that you could call work... it's a Labor Free Day!!
 

Laughter is Good For the Soul.

 I've tried to keep up with technology the best that I can... however, that isn't saying much. I blog, do facebook, Instagram and have a YouTube channel. Not bad for an old lady! 

But, that's about all my little brain with absorb. I don't do tic-toc, twitter or snapchat. But, some of the most laughs I've ever gotten has been from watching myself and my kids being turned into all sort of funny characters. Was it Snapchat, that Susan was doing that on? I don't remember.

We were at the beach and Susan got out her phone. We were all sorts of crazy things as she clicked first this thing and then that. Michael (her brother) hadn't seen that app and he got to laughing so hard he lost his breath. I really thought we'd lost him there for a minute or two!!! 

911, help, my son is laughing himself to death!

So, this Sunday morning....

Have yourself a laugh...