MY BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!!!

Here are two of my dear friends. The one on the left is Margie. She lives in AZ. The one on the right is Pat. She hails from Port St. Lucie FL. Pat and Margie are Sisters-in-law. There were both in Bristol yesterday and we met at Applebees. I didn't know it was going to be a "birthday get together"
The other dear friend here is Linda. She lives here and is a sweetheart!

Here is what Linda brought for my "birthday cake".....a fruit pizza. We ate from it while we were there and then I brought the rest home with me. Thanks Linda. It was soooooo good!

And thanks girls for the friendship. I love all of you!

Reborn Baby Doll....

Lisa bought this doll for me almost three years ago. I knitted the sweater, hat and booties. This doesn't take the place of a granddaughter by any means.....I just love to knit and crochet little girl things. They feel so much like a real baby, even down to the weight and the way their head flops when you hold them. You place an order and choose what color hair, eyes and skin color. If you want to see some more dolls, go to Google and search for reborn babies.

Yard Pictures....And Apple Trees..

Bleeding Heart....
Creeping Flock....
Candy Tuff.....
Lilac Bush.....
Jonquils.....

My Apple Trees......

I think my apple trees made it through the last freeze. The blooms are as white as can be and do not look black when you pinch them open. I'm hoping to have some good apples this year. Last year we had ten from all of these trees.

I'm feeling better every day.....

I went back to the Doctor and he thinks I am doing great. The drain tube is gone. He has me scheduled for radiation beginning on the 30 of April. I ask him when I could resume my normal activities and he said whenever I feel like it, and then he said he would write me a note saying I couldn't do anything if I wanted him to. He said I could post it on my wall at home. He laughed and I decided I would do exactly what I feel like doing. That is what I am doing. It's a good time to read, knit and crochet.

My husbands niece brought me the above flower. Does anyone know the name of it? I've seen them a lot, but never knew the name.

It's beautiful here today, but still a little chilly. Last night was in the upper 20's. I hope the apple trees aren't "bitten".

YIPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

My doctor called me this morning at 8:30 EST and told me my test came back negative. Cancer Free....None in the lymph nodes or the perimeter or the outer margin of the surgery. I have an appointment with my surgeon on the 15th of April and he will tell me when the radiation begins. I can handle that! I am praising His Holy Name!!!!!

Yep....That's Me!!!!

My biopsy came back malignant. This past Monday on the seventh of April, I had a partial mastectomy. Now I am waiting for the results from the pathology to see if they "got it all". Then it will be radiation for five weeks...five days a week. I am not worried....what ever will be will be. I have turned it all over to a higher power. This week the Doctor told me not to do anything, so I am taking it as easy as I can. My sister-in-law came this morning and brought breakfast and a pizza casserole for the rest of the day. Gary can cook if he has to, and he is running my errands and such. Bill is doing a little better with home health coming five days a week. I have a feeling it won't be long until I am out there mowing my grass and cleaning out my gutters. I will survive!!!!

Weeping Cherry Trees.....

Here are my three weeping Cherry Trees in full bloom. They line the side of my driveway. Bill bought me one each year for three years in a row...for my 57, 58, and 59th birthday. I keep them trimmed in the summer after they stop blooming. They are a sight to behold!!!!

A Day At The Farm....What a JOY!!!!

I went to "The Farm" this past Sunday. Lisa has five new Great Pyrenees puppies. they are about the cutest things I have ever seen. I would bring one home with me in a minute if it would stay that size, but they get huge. She already has two of them sold. I took my friend Carolyn with me. Lisa had a delicous lunch and then we went to play with the animals and then we went shopping at Marshall's. After all of that I stopped at the spring for our water. I get two five gallon jars full and it lasts about a month. When I run out of water is when I get to go back and visit "The Farm " again. Maybe that is one reason I drink so much water...LOL

My Joy For Today.....

This blue flower is called a Grecian Wind Flower. The wind must spread the seed because they are all over my yard. I think they are so delicate and beautiful.
And one of my favorite flowers.....the Joniquil. When you see them....Spring is not far behind. PTL!!!!!

Find Joy.......

I have a dear friend who lives in Flordia. She sent me a check for 50.00 and told me to go buy whatever I wanted for myself. I headed straight for Cranberry Lane. That is a store on State Street in Bristol, and everything in that store, I would just about die for...(well, not really) but this above is what I bought. It is bigger than it looks her....about 40 inches long and 8 inches wide. I hung it on the wall behind my dining room table. They have some small pictures that I am going to get to hang underneath. I look at it all of the time and I am following its instructions. We can find joy in something everyday!

I'm Back.....

But not all the way. I have had a little aggravation going on with me the last two weeks. When I went to have my mamogram done, they called and said there was a lump. Usually when there is something there that looks suspicious they will call for an ultra sound....Instead they called my surgeon. That worried me a little. But anyway, I made an appointment with my surgeon and had a lump removed and I haven't heard the results. This took place on Wed. a week ago. Today has been nine days. I should be hearing soon.
And I have Home Health started for Bill. Lisa came to be with me for five days. She was on her Spring break. She really was a God send. I don't know what I would have done without her. I told her I thought I would adopt her! But anyway....she is the one who got the ball to rolling on home health. Four nurses have already been here twice. One is for Physical Therapy, one to check his vital signs, one to give him a bath and the other one is an asst PT. I can tell already that it is going to take some of the burden off of me. One of the nurses ask him the other day if he was stressed and he said "no". She looked over at me and said, "I think you are the one who is stressed".
Anyway, I hope I can get back in the groove and start posting again. I think everyone will be relieved when Spring gets here. I know I will!

Funeral today....

Today I went to the funeral and burial of Kristal who was killed when a truck ran into her house. Last night was the recieving of friends and I have NEVER seen so many people. I stayed there one one and one half hours and the line moved the whole time I was there and when I left, people were still lined up down the street waiting to get inside. Today at the gravesite, it was so cold. The wind chill factor was 15. It has snowed just about all day. The cemetary is close to a radio station and when balloons were released, the wind took them into the radio tower and they were still there when I left. Kristal's brother wrote a beautiful poem, and he read it at the funeral. I feel so sad!

Endoscopy Yesterday!!

I went yesterday and had my esophagus stretched. My food was getting lodged again. I had it done once before in 2005. I was sedated so I didn't feel anything except this morning my throat is a little irritated. No big deal!

" I AIN'T DEAD YET!"

My hair is white and I'm almost blind,
The days of my youth are far behind.
My neck is stiff, I can't turn my head...
Can't hear one-half of what's being said
My legs are wobbly, can hardly walk...
But glory be, I can surely talk.
And this is the message I want you to get,
I'm still a-kickin'...I ain't dead yet.

My joints are stiff, won't move in their sockets,
And nary a dime is left in my pocket.
So maybe you think I look like heck,
But still I do have a whole lot of fun,
I've got lots of friends, so kind and so sweet,
And still many more that I'll never meet.
Oh, this wonderful world of ours,
Shade and sunshine and beautiful flowers.
So you just take it from me, you bet...
I'm glad I'm livin'....I ain't dead yet!

I've got corns on my feet and in-growing nails,
And do they hurt: Here plain language fails.
To tell you my troubles would take too long,
If I tried you surely would give the gong!
I go to church and Sunday School too,
For I love the story that ever is new.
And when I reach the end of my row,
And as I leave this house of clay,
I hope to my Heavenly Home I will go.
If you listen closely, I'm quite apt to say...
"Well folks, I've left you, but don't forget,
I've just passed on, but....I AIN'T DEAD YET!"

This is Terrible.....

I don't know how to begin. You remember my Mother-in-law died this past July. Her house sold and this young single Mom was living in it. Her little girl is four years old. Her Mother and sister live in the two adjoining houses. This house is in a sharp curve. This morning at 1:20 AM a pick-up truck ran through the house. The girl living there was asleep on the couch with the flu. Her daughter was with the Dad. The truck ran over her and then knocked the gas stove all the way into the next room. They found her UNDER the truck. There was a big explosion. The house went up in flames in an instant they said. It was so hot the fire department couldn't get to her and her Mother was yelling to let her go in to get my daughter. Isn't that a horrible nightmare? I cannot imagine what she is going through. I went to see her today and all we could do was hug and cry. She kept saying, "I can't believe she's gone." We prayed together and said that God would not leave us nor forsake us. I pray she will find some peace in her heart tonight and in the months to come as she grieves for her precious daughter.
A fifteen year old girl was driving the truck and a seventeen year old boy was a passenger. They fled the secne. The law apprehended them walking a few blocks away. I feel sorry for their families. What will happen to both of their young lives.
I made some pictures of the house, but couldn't bring myself to post them. I have cried all day!

Good Day For a Fire.....

Ryan sent me this picture of their wood stove. I would like to have my feet turned up in front of the stove. But I have had my gas logs burning and it was good. I'm working on another knitted sock. Bill is still wanting to stay in the bed most of the time. He gets up to go to the bath room and that's about it. Loretta, his sister and her husband came today. That seemed to perk him up a little. Tomorrow he has an appointment with his heart dr. I dread getting him there and back. "Life may not be the party we expected, but while we are here, we might as well dance". And dance, I will!!!

ANOTHER TRAMATIC DAY IN MY LIFE....

Well, here goes again, I've had another one of those days! Last Saturday, Bill (my DH) , fell down our 13 basement steps. I didn't know he had started down them until I heard this earthquake. He was alert and talking and screaming. I put a pillow under his head, and covered him with a blanket. He siad if I would let him lay there for a minute he would try to get up. An hour later he was telling me the same thing. I called my son home and we still couldn't get him up, so I called 911. They put a neck collar on him and put him on a board and took him to the ER. I followed in my car. There was no broken bones, but the Cat Scan showed his graft in the aorta is bulging, so I will have to take him to see his surgeon next week. He is back home now, but cannot move. I am exhausted!

Here's a picture of him getting the cat scan.

What I Have Been Doing....

These are all finished now. I made them for Gary's friend. this is the prettiest pair I have made so far. I made them on "The Magie Loop" also. Below is my crocheted square for the month of Feb. It is for Melissa in Morehead city, NC. (Not very far away from me) Happy Valentine's Day Melissa!

I BELIEVE.......

I liked this....

"ICY FOUNTAIN"

I passed this on my road yesterday and thought it was pretty. One day last week it was even more ice covered. You couldn't see the fountain...it was just a big chunk of ice.