Confidence

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. ~I John 5:14 and 15

Synonyms for confidence from Merriam Webster online Assurance, self-possesion, aplomb all mean a state of mind or a manner marked by easy coolness and freedom from uncertainty, diffidence or embarrassment.

Confidence is translated from the Greek word parrehsia (par-rhay-seé-ah), which means all out-spokenness i.e. frankness, bluntness, bold—by implication assurance. Confidence × freely × openly × plainly.

That's some kind of confidence now isn't it?! God is so good to us. I hope that you avail yourselves of His presence in your life. It's as easy as asking Him in.

(No, I'm not really here. Just using post options and postdating. Blessings to you...)

Awakenings

Letting go of Blogdom reminds me of the movie Awakenings starring Robin Williams who plays the part of a neurologist giving his catatonic patients some medication that brings them back to life. Sadly, the results do not last. That's just how it is with me right now. I've been here having great fun visiting and writing as much as I could, but now it's time to slip back. Hope to catch you all again one day soon! Until then, keep your grin on.

Birthday Plans for a 100 Year Old

front side of invitation

Someone at our house will be 100 years old in a week's time, which is all very exciting. Nan has already received a congratulatory cupcake from a local eatery. I couldn't take my eyes from her beaming face and her beautiful smile as the waitresses gathered around to sing "Happy Birthday."
back side of invitation

Party Plans are sketchy and vague just now with all that's gone on in recent weeks. They've shifted like the sands and may of necessity shift again. My mother worked on ideas and preparations as she was able even from her hospital bed. My sister and I told each other that it was good for her to have other things to think about.

So the invitations are here and two locations are a go depending upon the circumstances of another week. We must soon be filling them in and sending them off. Great-grands have worked on a Power Point presentation featuring photos of Nan's enjoying her amazing life with appropriate musical selections. (This one actually gives me a bit of concern.)

Anyone have a suggestion for us? With our brains practically scrambled, we're feeling the need for fresh thoughts.

Edited to Add:

The rest of the story...

So many have been curious that I thought I would oblige and that way keep a better record for myself.

Nan's 100th birthday party was held at my mother's church on November 1. It was an open house from 1 to 3 with about sixty people in attendance, not bad for a gal who says all her friends are gone. Friends from her hometown traveled for over six hours that day to be with her, which made Nan very pleased. Actually, she kept saying how awful that they had traveled all that way just to see her. I sometimes have to gently chide her and try to help her see the brighter, glass half-full-side of things.

We had lots of yummy buffet food, but the lobster salad rolls were a special treat for a lady who loves seafood. We were blessed to have a professional photographer take family photos, which was a laugh since the baby of the family kept alternately rolling about all the while saying the required "cheese" or he would laugh and say, "I already said, 'cheese'"! This would make the rest of us laugh. Anyway, thought you could use a reason why I'm not posting any of those photos here.

I am posting a mosaic that makes me misty-eyed. One October morning, Nan was surprised with a visit from the "little boy" next door. The one who had grown up wishing to marry his babysitter (my mother) and who has lived all of his adult life in Colorado. He had come home for a visit and looked both my mother and grandmother up. Don't tell me that there are not master plans for this was just after my grandmother's birthday and my mother was still very, very ill. He was able to encourage my mother on a number of levels because his own wife had been through some surprisingly similar things as my mom. You can tell that this gentleman is much loved in our family.

A Rant on a Certain Bank

Sometimes things in our lives all roil up at once or so it seems. There are so many pans on the fire here at Haven that I despair that we'll all go up in flames.

Take, for instance, the latest. My mother wrote a check to John and me and his bank will NOT honor it. What?! All he wants to do is deposit the danged check. Such a lack of regard for their customers, but then this bank is listed as the number one predatory lending institution in the country. So, now I must round someone up to watch my grandmother while I race back into the city to get this thing taken care of. Frustrating. Oh and this bank? Yup. They hold Haven's mortgage.

The good news is that my capacity to put up with baloney has reached an all-time low and I have been doing my research and plan to complain. Have you had any trouble with a bank lately for any kind of unethical behavior? You can find help right *here.*

October in the Rain

The leaves of brown came tumbling down remember?
In *October, in the rain...

*Okay, it's supposed to be September. Please forgive the edit.

My home is in such a state of untidiness, but I must say that having a cozy home to return to after each hospital visit made me appreciate all over again the need for beauty and restful vignettes in my home. While I've not had the time to do the decorating that I usually do, I did race out to the yard a few days ago to gather some of the nicest leaves, place them individually in a paper towel, and press them with heavy books. Today they "float" in the apothecary jar and are so restful to the eye. And instead of using a platter as I usually do, I've been using this book entitled "How to Find Flower Fairies" opened to an autumnal page. That special little fairy featured on the right is John's newest great-grand. Isn't she adorable?



Just before my mother went to the hospital, she gave me these mums. I placed them in her bicycle basket on my chippy, white fence. They've brought me a lot of comfort. (Plates on the Fence courtesy of Manuela's wonderful idea.)

For more information on my mother, please see the side button entitled "Behind the Scenes." Prepare to be amazed!

I'm on my way to a blog near you just as soon as Nan has her breakfast. I can scarcely wait.

Let's Chat

Source: All Posters dot com

Well I thought I might come in and chat for a while. Must have said too much and the blogging gods thought fit to send my post to the trash as it is gone. *Poof*

Oh well, I have no energy to even be terribly angry...a bit disappointed, but that's all the energy I am willing to expend on this. Too much water over the dam anyway since last I posted and too much to say and so I will let it go.

Hope to have the chance to visit with many of you tomorrow and the next days as I am borrowing a lap top for a little while.

God bless...

A Quick, Very Quick "Hi"

Salvia aka Flaming Tongues

The computer arrived last night just at suppertime. Busy time. I did visit many of you last evening and wished that I had time to make a comment.

Today, I have the laptop all day, but with three appointments and a visit from my mother and grocery shopping to do... Well, you can see how we'll just have to wait another week to catch up.

Have I told you how much you are missed? Oh, right, every time. Well, take care of yourselves and I'll be back again one day. (No, as far as I know, I am not related to Frosty the Snowman.)

Pumpkin Pie Day

John enjoyed a banner day yesterday when both his sister and I decided to bake him a pumpkin pie. Do great minds think alike or what? It must have been the autumnal quality of our first day of September. Such crisp, delightful weather we are enjoying!

Now this dual pie business nearly turned into a duel because John shared all that I am going to share with you with his sister. Oh my! I do not have that man trained.

Naturally, with two pumpkin pies here, we three did a taste test. I called Nan and John the county fair judges and asked them to judge. (I can see your heads shaking out there.) Anyway, the proceedings began and I asked for their comments. Both judges said, "These pies are excellent."

"Yes," I pressed, "but why specifically?"

Two of the most reluctant judges I've ever seen, I had to repeatedly assure them that I had no need to take top honors. I don't bake a lot of pumpkin pies and I don't have a special recipe. The recipe for mine came right off the can of pumpkin filling. My sister-in-law baked an Impossible Pumpkin Pie with no crust. She says it's easy...just blend all the ingredients in a blender and pour into a greased pie plate. Mine was not so easy.

After much hemming and hawing, John said, "Yours is best."

"Why?"

"Because I love you."

"More like you have to live with me."

Just for the record, I liked his sister's pie the best. It was more full-bodied and delicious. I did like my crust, which you can find the recipe for on my sidebar. I never have trouble making a yummy, flaky crust using the recipe posted; it's all about the ice cubes!

Later I heard him talking with his sister and explaining all this. My face flushed beet red and I zipped directly to him and the phone and wrested it from his grip.

His sister and I had a rather one-sided discussion...I had a lot of explaining to do. I certainly hope that this does not mean that she'll never bake for us again. After all, John is already praying for the day when we both decide to bake him an apple pie.

Edwinda, Et Al

The social worker pats Nan's hand as my grandmother describes how loathesome she finds her oxygen tubing.

"It goes wherever I don't want it to go and trips me or gets stuck. It's the devil incarnate."

The social worker's eyes widen and she grins a little.

"Yes, but it also provides you with the oxygen you need. Is there a different way to think about it?"

Thus we have Edwinda the Oxygen Hose that truly is a friend sustaining life even if she is quite mischievous. I've just stumbled over her for the umpteenth time this morning.

Edwinda is a take-off on a name I have found intriguing for most of my life. Any Edwinas out there? When I was a child about three, my mother and I lived with my grandmother for the time that my father was stationed overseas. She also had a lodger named Edwina. Edwina was the home economics teacher at the high school right across the street. Everyone called her "Ed."

This was the source of much confusion for me as in my three-year-old mind I believed that Edwina's name was Ed Whiner. The tears I shed over that. What mother in her right mind would name her poor little girl "Ed"? It took me years to get it figured out. Even when my mother would find me in tears and try to explain, the situation just became more concrete.

"Vee, her name is Edwina."

Right, I know that. Her name is Ed Whiner. *Sob*

This confusion with names continued throughout childhood. My grandfather had a dear friend named Emerson Budd. He called him "Budd." Therefore, I called him "Mr. Emerson." I never understood the mirth surrounding that. Both men would chuckle and sometimes Mr. Emerson, errr Mr. Budd, would slap his knee. Obviously, they enjoyed the joke as they never bothered to correct me.

In college, I had several close friends. We were terribly protective of each other and always made certain to know where one was going and with whom. One of the gals began dating a young man I didn't know. I asked for his last name and received this response: "No, Vee."

"Why won't you tell me his name?"

"No, Vee."

"What's the matter with you? Why won't you tell me his name?"

"NO, VEE."

"Well for crying out loud. All I want to know is his name."

Okay, don't you think "Novee" is a weird last name? What are the odds? Obviously, my friends had great fun with that one, too.

So, have any of you ever had similar trouble with names?

+++++++++++++++

In other news, I am able to borrow my daughter's laptop once a week. That's her picure above setting it up for me. Since I didn't get her permission to post a picture, I hope that the pop art will be okay. I have found the laptop quite the challenge. Today I have warned everyone that I have a computer and will be unavailable for anything beyond the rudimentary chores. In other words, "Don't bug me." Hope that I can skate to visit many of you today! I've missed you like crazy.

A Quick Update

Sometimes you never know what will happen, eh? That computer still sits on my desk growing dustier by the day. There is not much chance of getting it fixed any time soon and I hate that. Am trying to "sit with it" since this is how it must be. In the meantime, I am posting from the library and trying not to be concerned about the folks peeking over my shoulder. For that reason, I am closing comments until I get back. (I see that a lot of junk shows up when one is not around to maintain.) Hope that all is well with each of you and please know how much I miss you all. Take care and keep looking up!

Another Mosaic Monday

A few stories in mosaics...







To catch a few more stories, visit Mary!

Edited to Add: Ackkkk! My computer has crashed. I'll be back someday. Until then...

Our Heritage

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from Him. Psalm 127:3 NIV

I'd just like to add this — daughters, too. ;>

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Kitty, Kitty, Kitty

We've been treated (see? it's all in the word you choose to use) to some pretty spectacular lightning storms over the past week. Last night's and the night before's produced some dangerous conditions with power outages, fallen trees, live wires down, and that kind of thing. I've never thought to take a picture of lightning so I had to resort to Google images to find the amazing shot above. Our lightning was impressive, but not that impressive. (Photo removed for lack of sourcing.)

As the evening wore on, the rain intensified and the humidity levels were sucking the life (hmmm, how could I say that more cheerfully?) out of us all, John sat looking dispirited and then brightened, "Do we have any root beer left?" I shook my head no; he looked downcast and disbelieving.

"What?! Do I have to explain where every single one of those twelve cans went?" I asked.

Yes, things are like that around here. The last traces of ice cream disappear from the box, the last of the M&Ms goes missing, the final crumb of cake, and so on. I am usually blamed, but then I usually am to blame. It's my duty as a good homemaker to tidy up, don't you agree?

Anyway, I had a suggestion for John — how about some orange crush floats like Judy's? I had thought of them all day. It's wonderful to be married to a man who takes to a suggestion so well because our evening nearly ended in a perfect creamsicle haze.

Nearly. We are using a monitor system with Nan so that we can hear her should she need anything in the night. Just as we were nicely dozing off, the snap and crackle of the monitor began. "Kitty, Kitty, Kitty." We groaned and rolled over. Just as we were about to sail for Dreamland again..."KITTY, KITTY, KITTY." And on and on and on it went interspersed with "Sarah, where are you?" At that point, we just dissolved into giggles. This morning, Nan laughed so at the retelling of the story. It was good to hear her laughter again.

So many have asked about my mother that I wanted to give a brief update. Today she has begun her chemo treatments. (The cellulitis in her leg really postponed her chemotherapy.) She has been through chemo-like treatments before for her rheumatoid arthritis and went toxic on it. We are praying a lot and believing for the best, but we know that the next twenty-four hours will be telling. Thankfully, my grandmother has forgotten that today is the day. I'm thinking that it's God's mercy on her as, even at nearly 100, she is an extremely overprotective mother.

Stay cool out there and thank you for your wonderful visits. They are immensely cheering and I appreciate everyone's comments and emails more than words could express.

Aha! I Knew It All Along

M&Ms are good for you! Source



Hmmm, wonder if only three blue ones will be enough...

Second Anniversary

Today marks my second blogging anniversary; July 27, 2007 was the day. (Not much blogging right now, of course.)

My days are spent tending and doing. I enjoy nearly two hours a day to scamper about and visit my blogging friends and, if I am truly blessed, I have a little time to check out a new blog or follow all those wonderful links bloggers provide. If you've not visited the Garden Party or Where Bloggers Create, see the links in my sidebar. They were both wonderful events and I will be revisiting them from time to time.

Soooo, what to do this second anniversary? I think that I shall leave it at this and raise my glass of diet root beer and say to myself: Hang tough, little blogger, better days are coming.

Can'ts and Won'ts

Another rainy day in the Northeast. It provides me with an object lesson and a way to check my attitude. Lately, I have found myself saying things like this: I can't take it anymore!

Can't (can not) often means won't (will not). Sometimes it is good to come to the place of will not. I will not accept this abuse any longer is a good choice. It's acceptable to say I can not lift that 200 pound weight if it is true. But many, many times my "can'ts" really mean my "won'ts" and it is not pleasing to the Lord or to me. (Probably isn't too pleasing to those who live with me either.) For example, I can't take time for prayer — I will not. I can't make time for me — I will not. I can't stand this rain another minute — I will not. What's the alternative? Go crazy? I think not. ;D

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8 NKJV

Not "could" give thanks, but "would" give thanks. It is a choice, after all. So here I sit watching the rain pour and praying that the Holy Spirit will help me thank the Lord for His goodness. It's my choice.

Old Photos

So many have asked how I am doing what I am doing with special photo effects, etc. No doubt you remember my earlier feeble attempts at special effects. Now it is true that I am slow...very. But once I do learn something, I have great fun with it. No tutorials today, but I am going to share my three secrets with you so stay tuned for links.

This photo is one that I have shared before right *here* and like so many vintage photographs, it is damaged. Personally, I find great charm in that, but this young woman is my great-grandmother long since gone and so, nudged a bit yesterday by a visiting aunt, I wanted to see her entire countenance. A lovely one it is, too.

I'm sure that there are easier ways and I am no expert nor am I an artist, but by working back and forth between Paint and Photoshop and Big Huge Labs, I was able to recreate the missing eye and do some general tidying. Well, all that and a few hours tossed in. When Gram began floating up from the mists and I could see her beautiful unblemished eyes and face, I got quite choked up so guess that it was worth it. Seems important to me now living with an aged grandmother to remember that we were all young once upon a time.

With patience, one can have great fun with digital art projects like this photo of my younger self with my today self...



Oh dear lawd, maybe not!

As promised, my three secrets:

Secret 1

Secret 2

Secret 3 (Oops! My apologies! I sent you to the wrong post before, but this one will work better.)

A happy day to you! (If you decide to give this a try, please let me know. I'd love to see what you do.)

Sarah, Plain and Long

I inherited Sarah and the Christmas cactus along with my grandmother over the past two weeks. Sarah was actually the first to arrive. She's a Maine Coon mix...the lovely big paws and that ghastly long hair. (Yes, I have been having nightmares about cat hair swirling through the house.) She had been hanging out mostly alone at my parents' house and had become a right regular mess. Grooming is essential, of course, for a long-haired pet.

When I realized that I was about to be "it," I put out an urgent call to Sandi our own Crazy Cat Lady requesting help. She suggested that before I introduce two adult female cats that they present a calling card from one to the other. Yes, how shall I say this delicately...offerings back and forth between litter boxes. Oh dear heavens! Well, let's just say that one cat took it quite well (Sarah actually) and the other, my own dear little Fioré did not. She tossed her "gift" right back out of the box with an "Eeek! I'm not taking any of that!"

Before you think that I had totally lost my mind, I want you to know that I did put my foot down about the condition of Sarah's mange...er, mane, her danged coat. It was matted beyond all belief and she wouldn't tolerate my touching her. So off she went to the vet's returning looking like a little lion. Kinda cute I thought and now I've been wondering why she wouldn't look cute that way forever.

I'd tell you how it all turned out in the end between Fioré and Sarah, but we're still shuffling cats. They have met once in the crack beneath the bedroom door where Sarah was locked. I don't know what Sarah whispered to the whacked calico, but it must've been impressive since Fioré landed back on the first floor without touching the steps.

Oh, by the way, did the pink lettering in the mosaic soften Sarah's image any? ;D

Confused? Who Me?

Okay, I admit that in a mere two days I have a new appreciation for my mother. She took care of three...her mother, my father, and herself (plus two cats and a poodle). I only have to take care of my grandmother and myself. John, bless his beautiful heart, takes real good care of all of us. So I am the fortunate one.

Still, I confess to feeling confused from time to time. Living with the confused can do that to a person. ;> No one, however, is as confused as this crazy Christmas cactus of my mother's. It is living with me now, too, and is hanging out on the corner of the deck where Claudi/Emmy used to be. Have you ever seen a Christmas cactus bud in July?!



Oh, and just in case you thought the only newcomers were my grandmother and the cactus, wait until you hear about Sarah.

Have a pleasant weekend, Dear Ones!

Meeting HappyOne

She arrived with a comment on my blog on November 20, 2007 saying that she was going to try the mashed potato recipe and added this: I don't save my good china for special days anymore. Sometimes just an ordinary day is special. And that kind of thinking is what makes HappyOne such a delight. She takes joy in the simple things.

Back then she was writing a blog called Captain's Log. Today she writes Life is Good. Her husband Ken said that he was surprised, at first, by the popularity of a blog that is about the "ordinary" and went on to say that perhaps blogging is a way for us to know that we are all in this together. He's right, of course, and so we had some nice philosophical discussions about blogging, which I wished could've gone on longer. We even talked about many of you!

Despite Ken's assessment, I daresay that few of us walk six or seven miles every day or take pictures of fox, deer, geese or whatever wildlife happens to show up along the way; HappyOne does. And I love that I knew just what to take for her snack because she is dependable. Give the gal a dish of chocolate chip ice cream and a chocolate chip cookie and she's...you guessed it...happy! And she must know me pretty well also because she made me these yellow dishcloths. Thanks, HappyOne!

There they are!

We met at the Freedom House Cafe in Naples.

Yes, we ate, but forgot to take pictures. With all due apologies to the foodies out there, we decided to share our empty glasses.



Once we pinned Happyone down, we were able to play the Hokey Pokey.


How convenient that a dairy bar was right next door to the restaurant. Happyone couldn't have planned it better herself!
To quote the sign hanging above the mantel...We may have met as strangers, but such no longer be.

Happy Trails, Happyone and Ken. It was a blessing to meet you both. Enjoy a great time in Vacationland!


photos used by permission ツ