Tuesday @ Ten - I FEEL...

Today I am joining my friend, Karen Beth, for Tuesday @ Ten...just in time to get it done before this week's prompt!!  

This link-up, writing from a prompted word or phrase, is one of my fave...be sure to check out Karen's blog and the links!



Today's prompt is a phrase:  I FEEL...


Sometimes I feel as if my life is flying by in super-sonic rapid-fire motions...

As if time has sped up so it goes by in such a flash that it's hard to keep up with what is happening.

I live each day to the fullest, most of the time.  I am so busy many weeks that there's not time to just sit and relax and enjoy the "retirement".

Yet, I feel the life I have is full, and fun, and flexible and...I am enjoying the retirement.

There are some days that I do feel tired, depressed, or at least just not as "joy-ful" or "happy" as I could/should/would want to feel.

Yet again, I feel the life I have does make me happy, especially when I am spending it with my family, my friends, doing things I enjoy doing...

Even when I am home all day, like today!

Because when I am home, I am usually doing (a few) things that I need want to do, like reading, writing, watching TV, coloring, and just being home relaxing.

Midnight lying in her fave spot,

between my legs while I watch TV.

{It's not easy taking a "selfie"

with a regular camera!!}

So, what do I feel my life will be like in the future - or at least in the new year?  Probably much the same as it is now; except, I need to be trying to get more accomplished...things that we don't really want to think about doing, such as:

• Making out our Will so our children don't have to worry about what to do with our stuff;
• Making sure there is a list of "where to find" things such as insurance policies (oh, and I need to get life insurance for myself!);
• Making a list of our doctors, prescriptions, etc.
• Getting rid of "stuff" so the above isn't such a "chore";
• Organizing pictures and photo albums so they can go to someone after I am gone;
• And I am not going to leave out spending time with family and friends, doing the things we love to do together!  That will not change, until or unless I am unable to do so!

And I am quite sure there are many more things that need to be done, especially with a husband whose memory is fast fading...

Yes, I feel there are many things that I have left un-done; and I need to get a better handle on them.  Afterall, my husband will not be able to do so; and it needs to be done.

So, this is what I feel; making sense or not!

I feel like having fun while I can:

Elfster Gift Exchange and Reveal

December 2015

Selfie with My Girls

at the

Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

And there will be many more fun events to come!

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 14, 2015

Linking up with

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

December 14, 2015

Outside My Window:  It's a beautiful day in sunny - cloudy - Florida; almost 80 degrees with a slight breeze.  But, it is a beautiful day, even if it doesn't "feel like Christmas"; it does feel like a December day in the Sunshine State.

Even Midnight enjoys the view outside!

Photo by BJ London

I am Thankful for:  My beautiful daughters!  My youngest treated her sister and I to an afternoon at the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, with dancers from her high school and the Symphony Chorus which she sang with before being a "mommy".  Ended the evening with dinner at a local restaurant; then watched TV with hubby.

Our Selfie

Melissa, Cathy, Me

The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra

with the

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Dancers

In My Kitchen:  Dishwasher to clean out and re-load; pork chops thawing for dinner...and close to the kitchen, washer and dryer to unload and re-load!

I am Wearing:  A pair of jeans (ready to change to shorts!), a light blue top with darker blue flowers; and...wait for it...my crocs!

I am Creating:  Making Christmas cards; these will be used for my craft shows next year as they will not be done to send out this year!  But, I have some already made that I will be working on getting out...soon!

Also made a two-page layout at our Elfster gift exchange and reveal on Saturday.  They always give us the supplies to create a one-page layout (and usually a "sample" to go by); but I almost always make it a two-page...I want to share lots of photos of the fun we have together!

The One-Page Layout

and other Goodies

My Two-Page Layout

I am Thinking About:  What I need to be doing: (1) addressing Christmas cards - the are not here; I left them at our crafting place to work on, and will probably do that on Wednesday!  (2) checking the laundry; I think both washer and dryer have stopped!  (3) unload the dishwasher and put the dirty dishes inside; (4) ???  Actually, feeling tired...or is it lazy?!

I am Praying for:  My brother's wife and her family; she lost her father a couple of days ago.

I am Going:  Christmas shopping this week to finish buying the gifts left on my list!  As we always say, "It's going to be a small Christmas this year"; but once we all put gifts under the tree, it doesn't look so small!

But, it is in the gifting that we find true Christmas...

I am Wondering:  What the new year will bring?  It is in God's hands and I am trying to prepare myself to follow his guidance more in the new year.

I am Reading:  After finishing "Fragile" by Lisa Unger, I read a little more in "Girl Meets Change" by Kristen Strong.  It is really interesting but I want to really read it to learn how I can better deal with "transitions" or changes!

I am also reading "God's Guest List" by Debbie Macomber.  She shares a variety of people that come into and out of our lives; some for a season; some for a reason; some that "got away" from us, or that we failed to connect with; some we have known forever; others we have yet to meet, or will never meet.  Interesting reading; easy to sit and read a page or two, or a paragraph or two, then pick it up later.

Life does get rather busy during the holidays; so I haven't done much reading - which includes others' blog posts.  In fact, I haven't done much writing either!  But, I will pick it back up as soon as I can!

I am Excited for:  My son and granddaughter to be here!  I see my daughters and their families often because we live in the same town...that doesn't make it less exciting to get together with them.  But, we don't see my son and granddaughter that often; it's quite a long drive from Louisiana.  So thankful he was able to get time off from work to come see us.

I am Learning:  What am I learning?  Not sure at this time...but, I continue to learn something each day, or at least every week!


I am Hearing:  The ceiling fan and the "hum" of the computer...other than that, silence!

A Fave Quote:  

I am Pondering: God's Word in Ecclesiastes 3: "a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance..."  These words specifically as I think about my sister-in-law and her family losing a loved one during this time of year.  It's hard to lose a loved one no matter what time of year it may be; but when the holidays come, and we want to celebrate...it's hard!

My prayer is that all who are grieving during these days ahead may find His comforting arms and the strength He gives each of us.

A Scripture Thought:  From the book of Luke, Chapter 1, beginning in verse 46 as read in The Message Bible:

"I'm bursting with God-news;

I'm dancing the song of my Savior God.

God took one good look at me,

and look what happened -

I'm the most fortunate woman on earth!

What God has done for me will never be forgotten,

the God whose very name is holy,

set apart from all others.

His mercy flows in wave after wave

on those who are in awe before him..."

Of course, there are more words Mary shared.  I pray you will find "God-news" as Mary did so many years ago, and continue to exult in His awesome love for each of us.

One of My Fave Things (from the week):  Walking into my younger daughter's house to babysit, my almost 18 month old granddaughter pointing to me and saying, "MeMaw"!  That's special because for so long she was saying "A-Ma" for both me and her other grandma...and of course, the kisses I always get from all of them!


And so ends another Simple Woman's Daybook; only a couple more for 2015...then what?  Well, I enjoy this prompted post each week; so I will see what Peggy comes up with...in the meantime, the next couple of weeks will be very busy finishing up shopping and preparations for the holidays!

May you all be "merry and bright" however you celebrate!

Simple Woman's Daybook - December 7, 2015

Linking up with

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

December 7, 2015

Outside My Window:  It feels more like an "autumn" day in good ole sunny Florida; although I can't see the sun - though later I did! - the temp is in the low 60's with a breeze and a chill in the air!

I am Hearing:  As usual, the TV is on and hubby is not around to watch it!  He has gone out for one of his daily walks.  But, he did leave a Christmas movie on instead of a "news-y" program.

I am Thinking About:  My visit to the doctor today: I've had a bad cough for over two weeks, and I think it's gone into my chest.  And on top of that are these headaches I keep getting, along with neck and shoulder pain and some light-headedness.

{Good news is my lungs are clear; he felt the cough was from asthma and gave me an inhaler.  As for the headaches, wants to do a head scan...so, waiting for insurance to approve and give a referral!}

I am Thankful for:  Family and Friends who are concerned about my health...I am actually feeling better as far as the cough and without the promise to my family and friends...I may have decided not to go to the doctor again!

I am Praying for:  So many people are in need of prayer for many reasons...and God knows what those are.  Our country is in great need of prayer; only God can heal what's wrong with our country!

I am Wearing:  A pair of jeans, my write 31 days 2015 "Challenge Accepted" shirt, and crocs (still hoping to find a new pair after Christmas; these are just about "done"!)

I am Creating:  While waiting for my Stampin' Up products to arrive so I can make some Christmas cards, I have been working on more Prima dolls...

Photo by BJ London

Funny story about these "dolls"...I woke up early the other morning, and, in my mind was putting together a "cohesive collection" for a runway show...guess I've been watching too much "Project Runway" and Project Runway Junior"!

I am Going:  To the doctor; leaving in about 30 minutes.

I am Wondering:  If the doctor will brush aside my "symptoms" as he almost always does and call it "allergies"?!

I am Reading:  I am reading "Fragile" by Lisa Unger, another "can't put it down" kind of read!

And am also trying to keep up with Barbie Swihart's book study by reading "Girl Meets Change - Truths to Carry You Through Life's Transitions" by Kristen Strong.  I am still behind in reading; but I will catch up and participate!

I am Excited for:  Our Elfster Reveal this Saturday; I want to know who gave me my awesome gifts for the first exchange; and excited for my Elfster Sister to receive her second gifts.

I am Learning:  To accept the fact that I am not as young as I once was and I can't do as much as when I was younger; and I need to let myself "be" the person that I am now...as in, letting my hair go natural?!  {Not sure about that one yet, but...who knows?!}

In My Kitchen:  Meat thawing for dinner; other than that...it's clean except for the floor!

I am Pondering:  Should I let my hair go natural?  Natural will be gray!!

Found on Pinterest

So, what I need to do now is accept the fact that I have these "free highlights" and let my hair go natural!

As I said, still pondering, thinking about, just not sure I am ready to do this!

A Scripture Thought:  While reading a blog post recently, I was introduced to a new song, "He is with You" sung by Mandisa (see "A Quote" next for that song and a few of the words.)  That song reminded me of the verses in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:

"For everything there is a season,

and a time for every matter under heaven:

a time to be born, and a time to die,

a time to plant,

and a time to pluck up what is planted;

a time to kill,

and a time to heal;

a time to break down,

and a time to build up;

a time to weep,

and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn,

and a time to dance;

a time to cast away stones,

and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace,

and a time to refrain from embracing;

a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence,

and a time to speak'

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace."

A Quote:  And, a few words from "He is with You" sung by Mandisa, followed by the song from YouTube:

"There's a time to live

and a time to die

There's a time to laugh

And a time to cry...

He is with you

when your faith is dead...

There's a time for yes

And a time for no

There's a time to be angry

and a time to let go...

We may weep for a time

But joy will come in the morning...

He is with you!"

I think this song and the words of Ecclessiastes are so relevant in this time of unrest in our world.  May you gain a bit of hope from them; I know I did {thank you, my friend Andrew for introducing me to this beautiful song!}


And another Simple Woman's Daybook is completed!

Tuesday @ Ten - DETERMINED

Today I am joining my friend, Karen Beth, for Tuesday @ Ten.

This link-up, writing from a prompted word or phrase, is one of my fave...be sure to check out the others' posts, and link your own!




Today's word is:  DETERMINED

After reading Karen's post about this week's word, I commented to her that I was "determined" to get a post written!

The truth is, I did write it...

Sometime in the middle of the night, when I was unable to sleep, I had the words running through my head!  But, I didn't get up and jot them down...

Now, I am starting over!

But, I am determined to write something meaningful...or at least something that makes sense!

Lately I've been feeling a bit..."out-of-sorts".

What does that really mean?  I'm not sure; but I just haven't been feeling quite myself.  I've been tired; not depressed, but not really feeling like doing anything; a bit sick with coughing and congestion; and just plain "bitchy" (can I say that here???  Sorry!  But I'm not sure any other word would work for the way I've been feeling!).

I am not usually that way; or, am I?  Actually, I think I am that way to my husband a lot of the time!

I've often said that my husband acts one way with others, and another way with me.  According to him, "everybody likes me"; "they all say I'm a great guy".

I always say, "But they don't live with you; and don't really know what kind of guy you are!"

I am determined to change my thought patterns.

I am determined to change my attitude; to change my actions and reactions.

I am determined to have him treat me the same as he does with "others"; to be that guy "everybody likes" when he is with me!

I am determined to not jump to conclusions; to not provoke him to react negatively to me...

I am determined!

Found on Pinterest

Shared by moneysavingmom.com

I know that it is not all my fault; the way he acts or speaks to me comes from somewhere within him...either he doesn't understand what I am saying (due to his hearing or even his dementia);

But I know that I can help by speaking louder and more clearly.  I know I can help by realizing his inability to follow a story-line or to grasp a situation, and be clearer in responding to him.

It takes two people to communicate properly; but when one is hard-of-hearing and has dementia, the other person needs to compensate for that lack - and that is what I need to do!

I am determined!

Yes, I am determined to be the person I know I am; the one that isn't bitchy and ugly all the time; the one who is positive and happy and joyful...

Because, that is who I am for real - positive and happy and joyful!

And I know that I can do this - with God's help; because, that is the only way I can do it!


This may not be the post that ran through my head early this morning; but this is what I have written!

Random Journal Day - December 4, 2015

One of my favorite bloggers to follow is Dawn, who blogs at enthusiasticallydawn.com.  On the first Friday of each month, Dawn hosts Random Journal Day, where fellow journalers share an entry from one of their journals...

Whether we share an entry from yesterday, or last month, or even one from several years ago...we just share what's on our hearts or in our journals!

And, since I have followed Dawn every first Friday of 2015...I couldn't let December pass by without sharing.

The entries I share today are from December 2007 and January 2008:


December 31, 2007

"The thing about taking a car in to get a 'check-up' is worrying about finding something major wrong.

"The thing about taking myself in for a 'check-up', or blood test, or paper smear or mammogram, or...

"Get the picture?!  I know doing all of these 'check-ups' is preventive, or to 'catch it early'; but it's pretty scary when you get a 'recall'...


{After having a mammogram earlier in the month, I arrived home on a Friday and my husband told me I had a message; it turned out to be from Baptist...}


"And, of course when I called, everyone was gone for the day!  But I heard from them today -

"It seems they saw a 'shadow' that could be a cyst or just muscle.  They want to do another test on the left breast...

"So, I have to have it done on January 15th...Of course, they said not to worry!

"Easier said than done!  But, I'll try not to worry and leave it in God's hands!"


January 11, 2008

"...I have a 're-do' on the mammo...not really anything to be concerned about!  Or, so they say: 'Don't worry'...

"But, I do know in whose hands I have placed my life; so, I am not worrying!"


January 14, 2008

"Well, tomorrow is the day - I have the 're-do' on the mammogram - the weird thing is the phone call(s) to confirm appointments ended up being two calls; one to confirm a 9 am appointment, and one to confirm a 10 am.  According to the letter I received, I might need an ultra sound as well as the mammogram; so it almost sounds as if they've scheduled both...

"Well, we will see in the morning.  I still say, it is what is is!  And whatever it is, it is in God's hands!  He is the one who holds my future..."

January 17, 2008

"...and it is A-OK!

"The first mammo was not clear; but after taking the others - and really squishing the boob - it was clearer and was just muscle overlapping!

"So, all is well!!

Thank you, God!


And, right before Thanksgiving this year, I had a mammogram...the first one since that episode in 2007/2008.  Since I was without insurance, I did not schedule one until just recently.

So far, I haven't heard anything from the recent exam; but they were ordering the films from that last one before the tech read them.

As I was certain back then, I am still certain that everything will be OK...

And if not, well, I know my life is in the right hands!


This was not really a FUN post for Random Journal Day; but sharing what I have written in my journal!  And...

Sharing my Faith during this time of year when we celebrate Thanksgiving and the "Reason for the Season"...the birth of our Savior!

Simple Woman's Daybook - November 30, 2015

Linking up with

The Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY

November 30, 2015

Outside My Window:  A beautiful, sunny day; not sure of the temp, but it is gorgeous outside...and here I am "stuck" inside with a bad cold (or something)!

I am Hearing:  SILENCE!  Hubby is laying down; I am getting ready to go watch a new video I won in a raffle basket a few weeks ago...

{No go...couldn't figure out how to put the TV in the right mode for the VCR.  These new TV's are not user friendly, at least not for an old woman like me!!!}

I am Thinking About:  My life...my "stormy" life; and how God will bring me through it all, but I am soooo anxious to be through it now!  What lesson(s) is/are He trying to teach me (over and over and over again!)?

I am Thankful for:  Family and Friends...we had a blessed Thanksgiving Day, with lots of laughter, fun, food, relaxing, football, cooking and cleaning and...something new: fried turkey! 

I am Praying for:  Myself...I am so tired of feeling sick so often!  Another cold or sinus/allergy infection; this cough is getting to my sleep/rest because every time I lay down, I start coughing and coughing...praying it goes away soon!

I am Wearing:  A pair of jeans, a white top with purple flowers and green leaves, and my crocs (I am hoping to find a new pair after Christmas; these definitely need to be replaced).

I am Creating:  I have decided to make a few Christmas cards; I already have some made and will be mailing these out..but I saw a card design using one of the Stampin' Up stams I have, and I want to make some cards!

I am Going:  To Walgreen's to buy some more medicine; hope to rest better tonight.

I am Wondering:  Nothing at the time; at least, I don't think so...just not "feeling it" today!

I am Reading:  This morning, I finished reading "Sliver of Truth" by Lisa Unger, the sequel to the last book I read, "Beautiful Lies".  Both of these books were definitely a "can't put it down" kind of read!

I will now pick up "Girl Meets Change - Truths to Carry You Through Life's Transitions" by Kristen Strong.  I am behind in reading and linking up with Barbie Swihart and the book study; but I will catch up and participate!

I am Excited for:  The Christmas Holidays...the grandsons will be out for the holiday vacation; my daughter and her husband will be off, too (as teachers, they get the same holidays, and that is such a blessing!); hopefully my other son-in-law will have some time off, or at least "work" from home so he can be with my daughter and grandsons; and my son and granddaughter will be here for a few days!

I am Learning:  What am I learning?  That I am mostly happy with my life; and that, even though I feel as if I am "going through a storm", I know who my guide is ... and if only I keep my eyes on Him through that storm, He will guide me through it!

In My Kitchen:  Well, finishing my post at the end of the day instead of the beginning...the dishes are in the dishwasher, and the kitchen is fairly clean!

I am Pondering:  What things I need to buy to finish up my Christmas shopping...limited budgets require deep thought about this!  Next year, I hope to set aside some every month so when it comes time to shop...

Yeah!  I've tried that before!

A Scripture Thought:  From Psalm 41:1 (KJV):  "Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble."

A Quote:  Marie T. Freeman says:  "When someone needs a helping hand, he doesn't need it tomorow or the next day.  He needs it now, and that's exactly when you should offer to help.  Good deeds, if they are really good, happen sooner rather than later."


And another Simple Woman's Daybook is completed!