I thought I'd be one of those people

You know, that keeps a record of everything just in case we need to refer to a day or date or test or surgery or chemo or breathing test or bill paid (or not)...and on...and on.... And I'd get so many books read while waiting at the cancer center, or pieces finished. that just isn't gonna' happen.

I have done exactly the opposite and oh, how I wish I had DJ's gift of gab and wit and humor over at Tickled Pink...but I don't and at this stage of the game called life, I don't think that's gonna' happen either:(

My hubby and I are the same age for a few short months each year and this is when we are. 63 is not old, ya'll. It really isn't!

63 is when you look just a little ahead to retirement and a little relaxation and maybe just a dollar or two to spend at lns or hobby train shop. My grandbabies aren't grandbabies anymore and they all love us and love to visit, but they have places to go and people to see and school and all those things that take no time (or all your time) when you're young.

Hubby just finished his 9th of 12 rounds of chemo...he was getting sick before he even left the center Tuesday and he's gotten gradually worse every day. I really have to hover over him and get on his last nerve (that's already shredded) so he doesn't get dehydrated. He sees it as interfering with his "rest".

I had my big check up with pulmonary Tuesday which is a drive some distance away; had already cancelled once and could not miss this one. I went one way and he went the other. Pneumonia shots do a number on me for about 24 hours and this time was no different. With his shredded last nerve and my lack of nerves altogether and the pain and fever of the shot and the all over wish I was dead feeling, the two of us don't have enough room in this house that used to hold six.

They've upped my oxygen to "don't be frugal with the oxygen! Use it!" I've fought it so long I don't know how to just sit around and breath oxygen when I'm not moving.

Today I needed just a few things from "the pig" aka Piggly Wiggly, the place to go when you just need a few things. Ok, for that 10 mile round trip, my 20 year old grandson who is literally my right arm comes and carries my purse, my water, and my tank cause I have to put on the oxygen to do all that. I go NOWHERE by myself.

Hopefully, that's going to change in just a little bit. I'm waiting on oxygen people to come and check out my big unit and bring me some little bitty tanks I can carry and breath all at the same time and make some short runs to the pig or the lns or even to church by myself.

Oh yes! when I turned on my driveway which is a 3 tenths of a mile one lane gravel road, the garbage truck met me head on at the 90 degree curve...he kept coming and kept coming and I had to back all the way out of my road onto the main road cause he wouldn't stop or pull over. I couldn't cause my little car in the ditch would have been catastrophe! The picture is looking from my mailbox towards the 90 degree curve which has virtually no ditch, but around the curve does...that's where I was :(

So, here we are, both 63, both sick, I spent an hour trying to find a check I'd written and didn't register and there it was all the time, registered, subtracted and un-numbered. I dread the day when it's going to be the other way around. The way things are going, I just know that will happen. But, that's probably ok cause I'm real good at paying a medical bill before the insurance has taken care of it and I get these little surprise checks in the mail and it's like Free Money! and I can go buy a book or a chart or some thread!

Here's the "Small Token" by Blackbird designs I hope to have ready to make into a pin cushion by tonight. Wish me luck?

Happy Thursday every buddy!

Babs

So little to show & tell

It is so hot and humid in the south, there's just very few ways to amuse one's self when there's no air to breath and no energy either.
But I managed to mow some on Saturday while it was still in the low 90's, go to church on Sunday while it was in the high 90's, cook chicken stew for hubby yesterday and have done absolutely nothing today and it's almost noon!
On the stitching front, I've delighted in this little piece by Little House Needleworks called Simple Joys. Thing is, this is my second start on it. I actually had to trash the first one cause I cut the fabric too close...I forgot to measure and measure again before I picked up the scissors. I had started it on a bigger piece of fabric and waited to get a bit done before trimming the fabric down. I was so mad at myself that I threw the other one in the trash or I would share with you. Second start is from the middle outward instead of top left corner where I usually start. I love these purple flowers :)

And then, here is my last finish that I forgot to share with you. This
is Land That I Love by Shepherd's Bush. Thought I'd get it finished
into a pillow before showing it, but the sewing machine is in yonder and I'm in here :)

My 45th wedding anniversary will be Friday...45 years! That really is a long long time. My big brother ran into an old friend of mine at highschool reunion last weekend and I've really been walking down memory lane since talking to him (brother).
She and I were friends all through high school when we thought the most important thing in the world was a boy friend. I have not talked to her since the birth of my youngest child in 1977. I moved away from home town a few months after birth of first child and lost contact with just about everyone but a few friends and family.
I've written her via email this morning and hopefully will "talk" to her soon. So much has happened in both our lives, to catch up would be almost impossible. She knew my husband while he was still just my steady boyfriend.
I have enjoyed reading the blogs I follow. Even if I fail to leave a comment, please know that I check in on you every time you post.
Til next time, God bless and keep you safe and well.
hugs,
Babs

What a difference a week can make!

Last week (on my birthday at the cancer center)life as we thought we knew it seemed to come to a screeching halt, but then came today.
Dh had gone to the cancer center by himself for blood work and to have a sit down with his doctor. I took that time to pick up my journal which I had not been writing in. I tried to put into words how hopeless it all seemed and of course, as always when I stop and reflect and remember who God is and that He is in control of all things and has always brought me through the storms, I'm able to take a deep breath and stand up rejuvenated and ready for whatever news dh would give me.

Without going into detail, I can say that is is a brighter day; news was good; there is a light at the end of this tunnel called chemo therapy. It's not over, but he's over half way; we've come this far and "...yea, though we walk through the valley of the shadow...." we are just walking through it.
Thanks for stopping by and listening to me who can go up to down and back up again at the blink of any eye....or the whisper of a prayer.
Nancy, you asked how you could have missed about my blogs....you probably just thought I wasn't posting...I wasn't for a bit , then under a new blog name. Easy to understand. Just glad you signed on again.
I'm glad for all of you here!
God bless each of you in whatever is happening in your corner of the world.
Babs

My birthday almost gone/gone now!

I forgot to post this on my birthday so am doing it now. I am 63 and so thankful for the life God has granted me, and the blessings He always bestows on me in spite of myself. Thank you, Lord, that your eye is always on the sparrow , and thank you for the friends I've met through this blogging world.

Not much to report on my special day. We were at the cancer center by 8:15 and very little made sense for the rest of the day. Before the day was done I was thinking that another doctor and another cancer center were in order, but too tired to do anything about it.

Doctor saying one week that Herman's neuropothy would be permanent and if it gets worse they will stop treatment immediately and for good.

Two weeks later nurse practitioner throwing up her hands and says she doesn't know what he's talking about; have never done it that way before and so she cut his dose to 85% and wrote two prescriptions for him to take....this because she's unable to reach doc to discuss what in the world is going on. We got the meds, but they will be on hold til we see the "real" doctor.

On the home front, I got so many hand drawn and written cards from grandchildren, some made me cry and some made me laugh out loud. I got lots of little patriotic thingies since they are all on sale right now to go into the patriotic corner I'm working on. My hubby had gotten me the beautiful Patriotic Bible last week which was what I asked for; oldest daughter almost done with the most beautiful flag piece I've ever seen in cross stitch...just don't have pictures; daughter in law brought over a banana pudding for both of us...a rare treat. Baby daughter brought a framed pic she had taken at Gatlinburg a few weeks ago (she's a photographer) and a sketch of rose heart not quite done.

Thought I'd share a few old photos with you. Most people have to go find old graphics...I just go to our old photo albums :)

From first grade to checking out the roses and my long hair before walking to church; a calendar girl laying in the sunshine, and last but not least...my three brothers.

God bless!

Babs

A Patriotic stitching frenzie

Nonnie (me) & granddaughter Annie

I know this isn't much to show, but wanted to let you know what's been going on around here. July is my birthday month and I've always shied away from all the patriotic stuff that comes out every year around July and the 4th. But something happened this year...maybe cause I'm turning 63 soon and my country doesn't look the same anymore, or maybe I'm ashamed of always giving the patriotic pieces I stitch away. Whatever the reason, I do feel so patriotic, and I am so proud of being an American, I just feel like doing something about it.

My daddy served in WWII; my little brother served in Vietnam; my two other brothers served in the military in their early years. Maybe I'll just stitch all this in their honor and the honor of all the others now, which includes my granddaughter Annie (above picture), my niece Jenny, my geat nephew Carlie Ryan and his wife Ariella. Hats off to all of you then and now and those to come.

This first piece, hard to identify right now is Shepherd's Bush Land that I Love.

Here is Shepherd's Bush Tiny Flag which hopefully, will be a pin cushion in the next couple of days...maybe?Finished pieces today include Blackbird Designs little July stocking which started this whole thing.

And then, Shepherd's Bush Be Brave pillow. It looks a little squshed or lop-sided, but this is the first scan. When I get them all displayed, it will look better...I think.

I have this old timey table that I'm converting into my patriotic place, and hope to have a picture of it for you this week.

Bye and hugs for now,

Babs