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

Thank you for your prayers

Just a quick post before heading off to bed.  I wanted to thank all of you for lifting my family up in prayer.  Nadine (MIL) seemed much better today as far as being awake and alert and even giggling.  We really can't understand a word she says but we can enjoy the smile and giggle.

Bless her heart, she can't even have ice or water and her mouth is so dry.  She kept asking us for water yesterday and Sunday, which is something she hasn't wanted in months.  Her little tongue is just peeling.  We can swab it out but that's it.  Before we left tonight she was running a fever of 101 again and starting to be in pain again.  We can see her jerking, shaking and wincing in pain but when we're asking her where it hurts by the time she understands what we're saying the pain has stopped for a moment and she says she doesn't have any.  It's so hard to watch.

Tomorrow the Dr is going to have to go in the same leg as before and try to open the vein again.  Blood is not going to the foot, I'm worried that they may have to remove it.  Can you imagine going through this at 90?  It just breaks my heart.  After giving her the blood transfusion Sunday her blood count is back up to 7 point something which is better than when she came in but not near the 9 it really should be.  I think they said a normal person is about 12 or 13.  I am so NOT a medical person.

They did put a pick in to give her her meds and take blood, etc.  Sunday 3 veins blew after or during taking blood or giving an IV.  Her body went through so much on Sunday.

So there you go.  This is were we are and I really don't know where that is.  I don't know if you can imagine the comfort y'all provide by answering my prayer request.  When I'm so scared and frightened, seeing her in that kind of pain the only thing I can think to do, is ask you to lift her in prayer.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

I know I haven't been around much lately and that seems to be my song a lot but I think about all of y'all each day and do want to post something besides request.  I still have the word balance in my heart this year and am working on it.  Hopefully you will see it come to fruition this year.

Much love to you all.  OOOXXX's....Tracy :)

MIL in need of prayers

We're at the hospital with my MIL again this weekend. She's in a lot of pain.I'm hoping that you can pray with me for her to have relief from the pain. She has internal bleeding. They have done a blood transfusion. Now we're waiting to see if her blood count goes up. She actually threw blood up earlier today.Please include her in your prayers.
Love, Tracy and Neil

I Love It - Now What Do I Do?

 

We've finally gotten my MIL settled I think.  I've had the worst headache for 2 day's and nothing seems to help.  So hopefully I'll be better tomorrow and can share a little more with you.  

It's been so long between post I just thought I'd show you (Just scroll through the pictures with the button  above) this fabric I found a few weeks ago.  Well one piece of fabric and one really cool sheet and some lace that I tea stained.  Now I just have to figure out what I want to do with them.  Isn't that vintage ballerina fabric gorgeous!   And I love the Nora and Charles knit sheet.  It would really make a cute pair of pajamas or maybe a pillow.  Y'all give me some idea's.  I immediately thought of Paula Claire when I found it.  I would make a tote bag out of it but like I said it's like a tee shirt knit bed sheet.  I love to sew with sheets because even a twin provides lots of fabric for the money.  I need to make something I can sale on Etsy.  Any and all ideas are welcomed.

Hope y'all have a wonderful Wednesday.  ((HUGS))....Tracy :)

Traci's Having A Giveaway!

Nope, it's not this Traci.  Fooled you didn't I?  My friend Traci over at Beneath My Heart is having a super giveaway.  A Silhouette, yippee.  Oh' how I want one of these. Go by and visit Traci even if you already have a silhouette because she is such a great person and I just love her blog.  She has a great eye for decorating, is very crafty and has a profound love for the Lord.  Whether you win or not, you WILL be blessed.

Good luck and hugs...Tracy :)

Alizabethy is celebrating her 1 year blogiversary

Alizabethy is celebrating her 1st year anniversary of blogging.  As you can see above she is a lover of papercrafts too.  Click here to stop by and visit Alizabethy at Alizabethy - Just Card Making Crazy.

Another Family In Need of Prayer

I thought I scheduled this to post this morning but am just now realizing that it didn't.  Please read about Debbie and I'll go now and look for an update.  Thanks.

Cheryl of ZanyMade just let me know that there is another wonderful blogger out there who can use all our prayers.  Debbie of House at the Lake was scheduled for a complete hysterectomy today (Tuesday) after receiving the devastating news in December that she has been diagnosed with uterine cancer.  They also planned to remove the Lymph nodes.  Afterward they will decide if radiation therapy will be needed.  

I don't know Debbie myself but hope you will join me in praying for another of God's daughters and her family, who is in need of being uplifted.  I haven't heard how things went today but once I do I will pass the word on.

Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in Heaven. For Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. 

Matthew 18: 19 & 20

So for all you PRAYER WARRIORS out there this is a call to unite!  
Hugs...Tracy :)

****Update Wed, Jan 12th from Laurie over at Heaven's Walk.  Please click on here to visit Laurie and read her beautiful prayer for Debbie.

She went in to surgery about 1:30pm on Tuesday afternoon
the doctors did a complete hysterectomy along with taking some lymph nodes
they also ended up taking a few inches of her small intestine
due to scarring from her crohn's disease

so surgery took a little longer than they expected
and she'll be in the hospital a few days longer than planned

she is in some pain ~ but is on some good pain meds

her wonderful husband is by her side
along with her loving daughters
the prayers that she needs now is for
complete and pain free healing
and that the tests for the lymph nodes come back clear.

 

 

A few 2010 Christmas Projects In Review

It seems like I've been a little neglectful lately.  My blog needs a major update.  I went through the whole holiday season without changing it even once. 

But it's a new year and I'm looking forward to it being a better year too.  I probably don't need to tell any of you, I didn't shed a tear over the passing of 2010.

So bring on 2011.  The new year with a new attitude.  I'm working on staying positive and finding balance.  Balance in many aspects of my life.  No I'm not making any huge resolutions.  I'm not setting myself up for disappointment.  But I do have ideas and I'll share more of that in days to come.  

For now I'd thought I share a few of my Christmas projects with you. 

At the VERY last minute I asked if anyone was interested in swapping Christmas cards with me.  I didn't care if they were handmade or purchased.  This was all about sharing some Christmas joy.  I had 6 of the sweetest friends swap along with me.  They made my Christmas!  THANK YOU GIRLS!!!  So at the last minute I decided I could get 6 cards and ornaments made in time to send out.  So with Snowmen in mind, these are what I came up with.

 

 

 I really had a lot of fun making them.  I just need to plan my timing next year.  And for once I was able to create assembly line style.  Usually I have a hard time making more then one of the same things.

I also had promised to send Christmas ornaments to a friends swap.  I'm ashamed to say with all the problems I was having I was late getting them to her and they did not get sent out but I hope she liked them enough to use them on her tree or attach  them to packages maybe.

I only had to make 6 but couldn't decide which way to go.  I chose the parasol to represent my Southern girl (belle, yeah right) heritage.  I used some beautiful old lace and a glue/water mixture to stiffen them and then glittered them after finishing.  Rather Victorian and just not Christmasy enough so..........

 

 

I decided  to make some felt Christmas bells too.  Blogger doesn't want to cooperate with me on the picture spacing so excusssseeee them!

The blanket stitching was so relaxing for me.  I braided some rusty wire to hang them with and added a little rusty bell and they had to have a dusting of snow aka...glitter too.  I didn't even have my tree decorated when I was trying to get these done.  So, so sorry they were late C.

Hope you enjoyed seeing them.  I've missed posting and will be back real soon with other projects from 2010 and maybe I'll get something going for 2011 too.

Hugs Y'all.....Tracy :)