Sweet Relief - Praises to the Lord shouted!

Wonderful news!!!!

Nadine came through  the surgery fine.  The Dr. was very please with how well it went. 

We were so impressed with the surgeon.  He said he never goes into surgery without praying.  He knows that he is only an extension to be used by God.  After hugging us (he looked so relieved) he had tears in his eyes before walking away and said "you know this is very depressing for me to remove a body part, I'm just grateful God uses me for something good."   

God bless this Doctor!  When we met him before the surgery and he told us he prayed, I felt so relieved.  I felt like we were in very good hands. I told him we had prayed as well and that I had so many praying for him and the surgery.  He seemed to be very grateful for those prayers and later commented on how good God was.

How do I express the shear joy and relief I feel.  My chest was so heavy when I left for the hospital.  I'm actually a little ashamed of the little faith that I had.  I don't know of anyway to tell you how much your prayers did for us.  That was what gave me the strength to be there for Neil and not completely break down.

But can I share something weird with you?

I cried with relief , my heart soared when the Dr. came out and told us how well things went.  When we saw her smiling face, so innocent not knowing what had even happened,  I was relieved beyond measure.  

So why am I now feeling really funny, almost like a black cloud has come over me?  Don't get me wrong, God is so good and answered our prayers.  I am so so grateful that this is over and that she's okay.  She actually seemed better afterward, of course they are giving her pain medicine, but I was expecting groggy and she was so alert.  But why do I now feel this overwhelming sadness and blueness coming on?  It doesn't seem to be directed anywhere particular.

These were the first passages I read after I got home tonight.  I thought I would share them with y'all.  If I could shout his praises from the mountain top I would.  

This is my mountain top.

Psalms 66: 3-5

How awe-inspiring are your deeds, O God!  How great your power!  No wonder your enemies surrender!  All the earth shall worship you and sing of your glories.  Come, see the glorious things God has done.  What marvelous miracles happen to his people!  

Psalms 66: 16-20

Come and hear, all of you who reverence the Lord, and I will tell you what he did for me:  For I cried to him for help, with praises ready on my tongue.  He would not have listened if I had not confessed my sins.  But he listened!  He heard my prayer! He paid attention to it!  Blessed be God who didn't turn away when I was praying, and didn't refuse me his kindness and love.

Surgery is scheduled and your prayers are needed

Thank all of you for every single prayer and all the good wishes that you've sent over the last several months.  Well now we're down to the wire.  The amputation is scheduled for 11:30 tomorrow.  They will take everything below the knee.  

I'm sick at the thought of her having to go through this.  To be honest the thought panics me as much for myself as it does for Nadine and Neil. I don't want to be like that because Neil needs me and Nadine needs us.  

If you happen to think about her tomorrow at that time please send up a little prayer for God's will and for their comfort.  Of course, it goes without saying, your prayers and good thoughts are welcome any time.

God Bless you all........Tracy and Neil

From Humble Beginnings

What does this ram-shackle of a little house have to do with me, you might ask.  Well there is a story behind everything.

Whenever I think of our house I can't help hearing this beautiful, yet really simple song by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.  

• Somethings are just timeless.  
• Sometimes the simplest things have the most depth, the most meaning.  
• Sometimes new isn't always better.

 Our House by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

I'll light the fire
You put the flowers in the vase
That you bought today

Staring at the fire
For hours and hours
While I listen to you
Play your love songs
All night long for me
Only for me

Come to me now
And rest your head for just five minutes
Everything is good
Such a cozy room
The windows are illuminated
By the sunshine through them
Fiery gems for you
Only for you

Our house is a very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy
'Cause of you
And our la,la,la, la,la, la, la, la, la, la, la.....

Our house is a very, very fine house
With two cats in the yard
Life used to be so hard
Now everything is easy
'Cause of you
And Our

I'll light the fire
And you place the flowers in the jar
That you bought today

This cottage was built in the mid -1920's.

These photos were taken in 1982.

This simple little house raised a family long before we came along.

This is only a peek into the past.  Come back later this week to hear a little more of this story and to see a few more shocking photos.

Be Blessed Every Day.........Tracy :)

When Was It That We Became Cat People

I don't think you've seen my Mother-In-Laws cat.  This sweet (ha-ha) little (ha!) thing is enormous!  We took Nadine to the human shelter to pick out a cat and this one had just arrived.  It was the tiniest little ball of orange fur.  Just adorable and we were the first to see him so we got him.  People were asking about him before we could finish the paperwork.  We even had to wait 2 days before we could bring him home.  Then and there we decided to name him Pumpkin, for clear reasons.  The folks at the shelter had named him Baby Fat.  They obviously knew what was coming.

He went home to live with Nadine where he was spoiled beyond belief.  This was what we now realize was the beginning of her Alzheimers.  She left the door open alot ,the electric bill went sky high, we know because Neil was handling all her paperwork and bills at that time.  She fed him constantly, milk too.  And he knew all he had to do was whine and there she would go giving him whatever he wanted.  Open the door at all hours, eat, just whatever.

Of course when she moved in with us so did spoiled rotten Pumpkin.  Nadine quit calling him Pumpkin after awhile and he was called Nino just like her old cat from years ago.  Pumpkin never seemed to question it he answered her Nino or our Pumpkin.  And this cat can be as loving as can be when he wants to but boy can he be a butt-hole when he wants to, too.  You have no idea how big and how heavy this cat is.  I'm surprised hurt never her Nadine jumping in her lap the way he did.  I think we weighed him once and he was about 26 lbs.  He can throw a punch too.  He is strong. 

We had our own cat Booger, or Boogie as I liked to call him. They never did become friends.  Unfortunately boogie died in December but Pumpkin still here bossing us all around.

Everytime I look at Pumpkin I think about how Nadine would call him Nino and it didn't matter a bit to him she was still Moma.

The Dr called us at home Sunday morning and said they were waiting for the surgeon to come in Monday to look at her foot and schedule the amputation and are also waiting to hear from the heart Dr. with the go ahead.  They should schedule it for Monday or Tuesday, most likely Tuesday.  Of course she doesn't know that anything is going on, which is good.  I think Neil and I are just kind of in shock about it still.  It just doesn't seem real.  I never thought she would be with us this long.  She is so strong and so much tougher than even I realized.

I know y'all must think I'll never blog about anything else or ever quit asking for prayers but please remember her when you go to the Lord with your prayers.

CSN Stores Bring Back Childhood Memories

What was one of your best childhood memories?  I bet you anything it included a swing set somewhere along the way.  

I grew up in the sixties and you better believe a swing set was a necessity.  No computers therefore no computer games so outside was the place to be then.  And what fun we had.  We'd be outside all day and by the time we came in to clean up for dinner we were good and worn out.  

My closest cousin was only 2 months younger than me.  I clearly remember me wanting him to swing with me in the part that had the two seats facing each other.  Yeah, kinda girly and him wanting me to always ride the see-saw.  At least it was better than playing army.  What I remember most is climbing like a monkey to the top and hanging upside down.  This is very similar to the one we had.

 It's a true miracle that I'm alive today or at least a testament to my hard head. 

The reason I'm talking about swing sets is that I was lucky enough to hear from CSN Stores about doing another review for them.  I love it when CSN stores knock on my door or should I say bings my email. 

I couldn't help but take a peek at the swing sets and of course my reminiscing started.  I won't be buying a swing set with no little ones at home so now I only have to pick out something else from one of the 200+ stores.  No small task because they have everything.  But believe me when I say I'm up to the task and looking forward to it.  As soon as I decide what that special thing will be I'll let you know.

Of course our swing sets were nothing like the mega sets they have today. Now they have one for every budget, from simple to a full blown rock and rope climbing gym.  If my grands didn't live out of state I would love to get one of these.  It almost, I said ALMOST makes me wish I had little one's at home.  But if I wish that, I would have to wish I was twenty years younger too.

Do you have any fun stories of your childhood days and swing sets?  I'd love to hear them.

Have a blessed week y'all!  Hugs....Tracy :)

A Beautiful Gift

First,  I'd like to say thank you to all of you that have been praying for us.  We have felt it and it's such a huge comfort.  You're words brightened my day and brought me so much peace.  Love is such a powerful thing.  I love you all!

Don't you just love my new journal?  I'm ashamed that I haven't given y'all a peek sooner.  The sweetest friend Marie from Spun By Me surprised me with it for the New Year.  I just love the beautiful image on the front of the 2 birds lovingly caring for each other and the words "Home Sweet Home".  She also added the definitions for the words Journey, Imagination and dream.  I just love that.  I was so surprised and so touched to know that she took the time to create something for me.  It was perfect timing.  I decided it would be my Gratitude Journal for 2011.

Many of you already know the battle I have with depression.  The swings are the worst.  Months go by that your life seems just fine.  Like everyone else, some days are better than others but that's life, right?  But then when the roller coaster changes and the darkness comes it's such agony.  2010 was not a year that I was sad to see go.  There were many trials and lots of tears.  The biggest blessing from 2010 I can honestly say was the friendships I developed through blogging.  Sometimes that was the only thing that got me through.  And then of course there was the nasty economy, which I don't believe spared anyone from it wrath.  But I still had a home and food and so many suffered worse fates.

The end of the year found me looking forward to 2011 with a renewed sense of HOPE.  With the PRAYERS of  my FRIENDS here, my home saw changes.  The stress in my life was reduced greatly.  Yep, HOPE was the word I found myself thinking of just when I was ready to give in and give up.  

So as 2011 started I chose the word BALANCE to focus on.  You see 2010 was very out of BALANCE.  BALANCE was something that I needed to find, to keep my eye on, so to say.  When Marie sent me the notebook, I thought what could be more perfect?  A place to write down at least 3 things I'm grateful for every day.  Sometimes things have a purpose that we don't first see.  I'm almost certain Marie couldn't have know just how much her gift to me would mean.  How loved and cared about it would make me feel.  I think GOD had a reason in mind.  It's become more than just a Gratitude Journal,  it's also a Prayer Journal.  

Neil and I are facing a lot with his Mother and we will be struggling  to keep BALANCE while we face her battles with her.  The Dr. said that they may amputate her foot as early as today (it's 3:38 am) or possibly wait until Monday.  She isn't aware of anything.  She never asks why she's there or what's going on.  Tonight I thought we were watching her die.  She became choked in her sleep and we sat her up.  She couldn't get her breath.  She started trying to throw up while she couldn't breath she was terrified and so were we.  I went screaming down the hall for help.  I seriously thought, I don't want Neil to see her die like this.  This can't be his last memory.  I pray for GOD'S will to be done, I pray that she passes gently in her sleep.  I thank GOD that he decides all and we don't have to make that kind of decision.

Thank you Marie for such a beautiful gift that has meant more than you could have ever known it would.  Like I said GOD knows what we don't know yet and GOD prepares a way for us.  

Marie your Journal was the result of JESUS calling on one of his earthly Angels to prepare comfort for someone in need.  Thank you for hearing that call and being that ANGEL on earth for me!

I hope y'all have a wonderful weekend.  Hugs...Tracy :)

Prayers are needed

I'm at a loss.  I don't know what to do, how to think, what to say.  The Dr. went in to open a vein in Nadine's leg today.  It didn't go well and it's not looking very promising.  They were not able to get much flow below the knee.  The foot has warmth but the toes are still like ice and the toe with the blister looks bad.  The Dr. told Neil he needs to be thinking about what would be best for his mother.  I don't even know what he means really.  He said he was afraid the toe might turn gangrene.  He said they can try just removing the toe or possibly the majority of the foot.  He said they would just watch it a couple of days and see if the white blood cell count goes up which would mean infection.  


It looks bad to me.  Lord knows,  she is 90 1/2.  How much can she take?  I don't even know what to pray for.  I just don't want to see her go through so much.  As you can tell by now, she's always been such a strong woman.  Neil's at the hospital with her now.  I know I sound like I'm rambling but that's exactly what my head feels like right now.  No one should have to go through this at that age.


Please keep her in your thoughts and if you do pray please, please pray for mercy for her.  I'm just devasted.
Love...Tracy