A New Year 2010

Now we can look forward to a new year, to begin a fresh new start.  Only look back to see, what you could improve.  There are many aspects of life, that I have hope on improving.  I will try to keep acquiring knowledge! 

I do make plans to help others, that go across my path, in this journey of life.  What are your goals of improvement?

Teaching Christmas Carols

Ivy is teaching the baby how to play Christmas carol's.  She is her Church piano player!  We were so happy to be serenaded during our family Christmas get together.  This is how to teach,  at a very young age.

We need to help one another out, like she is teaching us too.  Be patient and help your neighbor, with whatever is needed.

Christmas In Hospital

It is wonderful to, not have to be in a hospital, on Christmas day.  My nephew did,  he is a tough kid.  He is showing the rest of us, how to live a normal life with challenges.  I know he does not think he is doing anything. He is just being the intelligent young man, that he is growing into. That is admirable.

Remember, these children's Hospitals on days like this, they do a wonderful job, of making Christmas special for the kids!  Once again, be thankful if you are not in a confined area on Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

 
I want to wish everyone that stops by here, a very Merry Christmas. I will be traveling to the Mountains to see Dad and sisters. Again, Be Thankful for whatever you have.

Get this widget!

Editing Life Now

Celebrations with my large extended family is always a blessing!  It is a time of the year for us, to get together and try to get each one that special gift.  It is not always possible, but I try.  It is not about gifts, but the time together.

This is also a time for me to learn about photography and editing the picture I took.  I love photography since I was a child and a new camera, is our new gift to us.

Make sure that your life, does not need editing and you can change it now, before regrets happen.

I will share a very nice comment that was left for me, but it should be for all, to do. "You have a wonderfully undeniable point in a pointless world".  This is a goal for all, including me, to leave in this world.

My Inspiration

UPrinting has asked me to write about my inspiration for blogging.  I started a blog because of all the bad news in the media.  I just wanted to shout to everyone, things could always be worse.  I want to try to point out, look around and it does not take you long to see someone worse off than yourself.  The biggest obstacle is that I am not a writer, even though many have said otherwise.

This blog world has brought many benefits, of friends, etc.  This has become my gratitude journal also, I just do not know what else to write about, other than gratitude.

MS Christmas Party

This was our MS Self Help Group Christmas party.  We have meetings once a month, but once a year we just enjoy going out to eat.  There were 17 to come out in the cold rain, we all felt it was worth the effort.

Let me encourage all MSer's and their families to get involved in a local group.  It is the one place, you can say that you are tired, and they understand what you mean.

Once again, do your best to enjoy the celebrations of Christmas, whatever your challenge in life is.

My Unique Christmas Tree

This is the world's most ugly unique Christmas tree.  The kids have moved out so we did not want a big tree.  I got creative, and did this the other night.

Don't laugh at the pitiful tree, remember we are all unique in this world.  Where some see pitiful, others see different.

Remember to celebrate the Reason for the Season, in your own way of celebration and joy!

Christmas Pictures

Getting ready for Christmas pictures.  This is nice to have a son and daughter,  telling us how to pose and taking the pictures. 

Funny how time flies, they were fixing Mom's hair now, instead of me making sure they were ready for pictures. 

I will have many photos here, all year long.  This small incident is what makes memories, we all had fun!  Keep making memories when possible.

Stability in Life

Life after 46 years of marriage.  My aunt and uncle have shown what it takes to have a long term life together.  This is a committment that has it's ups and downs of life. 

They have influenced my life through out, with help, such as when I fall, or just helping us move into a different home.  Being there for big events, like births, marriages and funerals is very important.  It does seem to be the small stuff that makes life.   They also did pastor the same Church for 30 plus years.

This does not seem to be a Christmas post, but stability is an unusual character in life.   When marriages are tough to last, if you hang in there, you can make it also.

Surviving

I told my aunt, that had just buried her son a few weeks ago, that things could hardly be worse.  She said, yes they could, look at the guy who has been trapped in his body for 23 years.  They thought he was in a coma, but he knew everything that was going on, but could not speak.  Now with the aide of an computer, he is able to communicate.  He had been screaming for all those years.  It has been on the news, so  I hope I have the story correctly.

This is an update of my cousins death at 43.  The family is in the shock phase of grieving, of course.  I did want to let everyone know his Mother had a good attitude through her incredible loss.  She is still just surviving, day by day.  I believe all Mothers can have a bit of understanding.

Look around again and you can see someone in worse shape than you are.

Caught in a Rug!!

It is so frustrating to get stuck in a rug, in your own house!   One night I was heading to bed and got caught in the bigger floor rug, under my chair.  I could not get lose from the rug and the chair would do nothing but spin.  I was fortunate enough to make it to the walker and walk to bed, very frustrated that I could get stuck in my own home!  

After that I gave the rug away and got a small rug, so it would not get caught again!  My husband needed me outside.  I got stuck in the small rug again, so no more rugs to catch dirt for me!!

Take notice of the small traps of life, when looking so easy and innocent, it could catch you before you realize it.

Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving memories, a snapshot of life.  This is my sister and the baby having fun!

This year we have had many changes to a traditional Thanksgiving Day and dinner. Some loved ones were missing, and new ones were there. 

The baby, brings new life to all.  I suppose this is a new season of life and thanksgiving everyday.  Remember to keep thanksgiving all year long!

Season of Thanksgiving

This week of Thanksgiving celebrations, I want to emphasize my gratitude. 

 Once again, this is the view from my sofa.  I call it, my painting from God.  These beautiful fall colors are gone now, but the new season of winter beauty is beginning.  The beauty and differences of changing seasons, is hard to get accustomed to. 

There is beauty if you look around the seasons of life also.  Happy Thanksgiving,  all year round.

Another Adult!!!

Happy Birthday, Katie!  It is a wonderful time to celebrate, a niece becoming an adult with her Mom.

Growing into an adult, is difficult.  I know there have been hard times before, today has a different atmosphere. 

When life is challenging, let us remember, this too shall pass!  Life does seem to pass, very fast, make it count.

Family

  The love of a family, to enjoy my sons birthday party.  I am known for taking photgraphs for my blog.   I think everyone that reads, does know how important my family is to me.

My uncle is showing us, how sweet, a babies kiss is.  I know my two kids were that age, a short time ago.

Remember that life is a vapour, encourage others to make their life worthwhile for something.

My MS Update

I should update my MS story, I believe the ones that read, know that life has challenges.  I am fine.  I just have a minor difficulty of changing medicines, that is a struggle.  Every few years, it seems for me, I have to change medicines because they start acting weird and side effects are inevitable!  Sleeping is my biggest problem.  Let me say again that I am grateful for medicines, as I complain.

My dad seemed to have a drug interraction problem and that is all, thankfully!  Be careful with your medications. It could have been worse...

Kaleidoscope of Life

This week has been a Kaleidoscope of life and death.  A net friend designed this for me earlier in the week.  I thought the different colors, from grey to bright, has been a good description of this weeks emotions.

My dad is doing much better and improving, got news, another cousin does not have cancer, then buried a 43 year old cousin.   That is just a few of the many emotions, we have dealt with this week.

I believe it is all called Life.  I know many people are going through similar but different challenges versions of these colors of the Kaleidoscope.  Take notice of the beauty of all the different colors when put together in the end.

Stuff could be worse, Death

This is one time that I do not see how "stuff could always be worse".....My cousin passed away at 43 years old, shock and grief are unbelieveable.  I believe all parents know the horror of "burying your own child" feeling.

We just had a good time with him at my family reunion, joked about my hot pink chair.  You never know what will happen, do you?  Another lesson about,  do not take your loved ones for granted! 

Pray for his parents and family, friends, etc.  Thank you for your concern.  I hope this makes sense, during our grief.

Make Life Better

I wanted to share this poem

by: Connie Arnold

Life is much better

When you laugh and play,

Take some time each day to pray,

Look for the good in everything,

Discover a joyful song to sing,

Appreciate the beauty all around,

Notice little wonders waiting to be found,

Use the talents which you possess,

Look for ways to spread happiness,

Show those around you that you care,

Give to others what you can share,

Search for truth, goodness and light,

Try to always do what is right,

Then when you have done your best,

You can enjoy a peaceful rest,

As God knows everything you do,

And lovingly showers blessings on you.

© Connie Arnold, 2009

HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY SON !!!!!

My son is 20 today and that is a great day for me  and all around him.  It certainly has been a fast 20 years,  unbelieveable.  

It was so good to have a boy finally in our family,  it would be great, in a different way.   He is really a blessing to have him, with the MS, they did not want me to have more than one.

He is still napping on his dad's shoulder, even 20 years later.  I am thankful for my family.  Happy Birthday son!!!

Reunions

Family reunions are a memory to be charised.  We met some family that moved to California in the 1950's to get a job.  It is sad that families are raised apart but a necessity for work. We did eat a lot also.

I do feel for families that cannot communicate by phone or fly, to see each other.  We are blessed to have the abilities of communication now, they did not have one hundred years ago.  The family may have stayed closer then also.

My Dad went back to the Mountains today to continue to get better.  Thanks for the prayers and keep praying for him.

One Step at a Time

What do you do when so many things are happening at once?  I try to remember one step at a time, to get on with life's struggles.  It is one day at a time.

Dad was admitted again to the hospital today, hoping it is only a minor problem, and not a stroke.  We will be with him tomorrow. Hospitals are a blessing, even when we do not wish to be there.

I need to stop thinking about how tired I am,  because at least we still have a Dad.

We are fortunate to be enjoying a time, with family from Reno, Nevada.  It is such a blessing to see family, even when some things are not planned.   Reunions are such good memories.

I am grateful for a loving family and I will make it, one step at a time, through this challenging weekend of life events, both good and bad.

When it looks hopeless.....

When you think things are gone, do not always give up hope. Oscar has been gone, since the flood, one month. I was sorry that he had gotten so frightened that night, he was lost. We have had him for ten years.

He should have stayed in his warm safety, being frightened he ran into the storm. We assumed, there was so much water, he had been swept away like the trees and roads were. A phone call said they had been keeping him safe. We were shocked and thrilled at the same time. No one could believe this.

A lesson on staying in your safety and not running wildly into the storms of this life. Think again, when you feel like running from challenges.

Surprises and Tough Times

Surprises help when they are truly a surprise during a hard day. My husband brought these home from the grocery store for me. We had a very busy weekend, he is working two jobs, so life is tough right now.

We are very thankful for two jobs but the fourteen hour days, is getting very rough. I know everyone has different challenges, it is another one to accomplish.

It seems to me, there are many tough times now, but our forefathers would not agree. Since I am sitting at a computer in a nice, warm home, do not believe they would think, it is so tough.

The Love of a Grandparent

The joy of a Grandfather and his grandson, my Dad and baby. So happy to have a Dad still here with his grandson and laughing together. The baby will not remember this moment, but a photo will help him to know, it did happen.

This moment does happen in most of our lives, we just do not remember it, now there is ease of photography, to help.

In most cases, be grateful for your Grandparents, this moment is probably in your past also.

The Two Great Pumpkins

The time has come to pick the pumpkins. They were ready and could not get bigger. My niece is in the back of a truck and the two pumpkins filled the truck bed. These were grown the old fashioned way with no miracle grow. One weighed 263 pounds and the other was only 249 pounds. They had to get them weighed at a farm store.

It is a good time of the year with fall. The colors are so rich, another season is changing again.

Our lives are like the seasons and change continuously. Be prepared for another season of life.

The Three Oma's

What a finish to a great visit with the sister's from Germany. These weeks have flown by, with many delicous meals and visits.

We had a the best of all meals, they served us an authentic old world German dinner, made the way their Mother taught them.

It felt like we were in Germany, a wonderful cultural lesson for my children. It will always be a great memory, (cannot spell what we ate).

The lesson we learned is, you can feel the love, without speaking the same language. As Pilar said, a hug and smile is the same in any language.

A New Pink Chair

This is a wonderful day for me, I got a new power chair. I find it more exciting than a new car, since I use it more. The neatest thing is I got it in pink, which is a favorite color for me. The picture does not show the color well.

I am thankful for a power chair and feel for those who cannot get one. They do cost, so everyone cannot afford them around the world. Some do not have a manual wheelchair, which I would love to help them someday.

Thanks for the Award

Thank you for the award Pilar of The Stark Family. This blogging world that I got into has brought some good friends.

I am to tell y'all 5 things about me, I have told most everything and I am a bit boring, so here goes:

1. I love Chocolate anything

2. I was the oldest of 5 girls, no boys for Mom, until the 5th grandchild, and now more boys.

3. I flew to Reno, Nevada when I was twenty with my sister, aunt and uncle to see family that lives out there.

4. I want a clean house and I try very hard to clean, even with the use of a power chair.

5. With a large family, I guess all know that family is important to me.

Now I pass this cool award on to:

1. A. Marie at My Money Mission

2. Karen at Hallelujah Anyhow

3. Anne at Mommy has to Work

4. Future Mama at Baby making Machine

5. Herrad at Access Denied-living with Multiple Sclerosis

Help your Neighbor

This is the past mixed with the current, picture. This is how some of the Appalachian Mountains homes look. It is now the past and do not believe anyone lives there now.

The Mountain people were not wealthy but they always did help out their neighbors. To this day, it still is a good way of life. It is a lesson for all, to help your neighbor.

Family Together

Family reunion times. Edeltraut (Oma) has her sisters Lilo and Helma, visiting from Germany. It is wonderful to have sisters together again. It is unique when you have such a nice family and you cannot understand their language. That is when you try to use signals and signs to communicate.

We have had a fabulous time together, this is a picture of a dinner at my house for them.

Severe Drought Sign

The sign says " Severe Drought Mandatory Water Restrictions are in Effect".

The sign is under water.

This is just for humor, I am thankful for the drought being over.

I do have compassion for the devastation many experienced.

After The Storm

After the storm, when you think it will never be over, the sunshine does come back. Sometimes there is damage left behind but in time, it will be over. This is our biggest problem where I live, thankfully, is roads being washed out. It is inconvenient but live able.

Remember this with your next storm or challenge in life, it will get better.

9" Plus Rainy Night In Georgia

We survived a stormy night of rain, thunder and lightening, it seemed to be all night long. Now schools are closed, etc. because of roads being washed out. I am thankful for electricity that we did not lose, trees that did not fall on our house, just a small leak in the roof.

Talk about things could be worse, I was saying to God, last night, OK, I get your point! It did seemed like our house was being struck by lightening all night long. Thankful for the rain but also thankful for very little damage.

Happy Birthday to my 71 year old Dad also!!!!

Thankful Thursday for Nature

These are various Mushrooms growing in our woods, we do not know what kind they are. I am Thankful for the beauty of these in so many different colors and some large.

People are also made this way in many various colors, shapes, and sizes. We should except this as part of life.

The Mountains of home

This is more about my Hillbilly heritage from the mountains. You will see what a beautiful place it is to call home. My country sister took this picture from her house, looking at Frog Mountain with the sunsetting between Boyd Gap and Hog Pen Gap. These mountains have many Folk names. She has a view in her country home, does she not?

When growing up with the beauty around you, it is hard to miss. Just open your eyes and look around and you will find the beauty also.

Thankful Thursday

Just a Thankful Thursday note of how grateful I am for all that I have. This is my driveway and I thank God for such beauty and this place.

A Labor Less Day

A good way to say Goodbye to Summer, a relaxing day at the lake. We watched the boats go by and just had family time, also cooking out.

Happy to announce the winner of the Business Cards is Pet Talk. Check out their blog.

When Chickens Knock......

We went to the Mountain's today, it is always nice to have a meal like chicken and dumplings.

My sister tells us a story, she heard knocking on the door and went to see. It was her two chickens, they were pecking on the door. We said, they wanted more okra.

We did say you are a real Hillbilly when you have chickens knocking on the door. We love our Hillbilly heritage.

Take A Look Back

When life seems so busy and exhausting, take a look at how far you have come. I had one of those days, keeping the baby, shower, go by the Bank, then get to the Dentist. I was thinking on the way home, if I can just make it to the next place. I realized, how far I had made it, just one step at a time.

Life has challenges and we should look back sometimes, to see what we have come through thus far. That will help, make today's challenges, seem small.

Remember that with tomorrows challenges.

Rough Riding

I went riding through the woods, hills and valleys on a utility vehicle, sort of like a two seated four wheeler, to rescue my son. He got stuck far off the road on some rough terrain, so I went along for the ride, bouncing along dirt roads, dodging briar's, just hanging on for the ride. It was fun but a bit scary at times, when I was saying, that hill is too steep to climb. We made it fine and got my son home safely, what will we do for our children?

I thought, life is that way, we always have hills and valley's to climb, dodging briar's and other pains. We keep on going too far, until we get ourselves stuck and need rescuing. I personally thank God, for he is my rescue, in this life of challenges. Sometimes life is going by so fast, that we feel we are just barely hanging on.

Remember this ride will be over too fast and what will you accomplish?

Do not forget to enter my giveaways, the deadlines are coming soon.

A GREAT PUMPKIN

My Hillbilly family and their great pumpkin, they grew it, they are 15 and 12. That is so wonderful to have, these roots. My sister and her family still grow their own large garden, and can (which is an old way to keep food), for winter. She even painstakingly prepares fresh okra for her chickens, kind of by accident.

This natural grown pumpkin is a sign that fall is around the corner. It is time flying by, when it was spring and now fall is looking at us.

Make your time count for good, it will be gone before you know it. Life is like the seasons, it moves by fast.

THE HORSE AND BUGGY DAYS

What do you do when your legs are gone? You become thankful for power chairs very quickly. I woke up Sunday morning, turned on my chair and it would not move. My husband did all he could to get it running with no luck.

We head to the baby dedication at church, which was very nice. I had to go in a horse and buggy wheelchair. That is so difficult to understand, you cannot carry coffee or move without strenuous exercise.

So when you feel compassion for those in wheelchairs, think of the ones that do not have access to the power chairs. I realize some would rather have a manual chair but not me.

7 THINGS ABOUT ME, AND AWARD

This award was given to me by Pilar of The Stark Family, I admire her for being a missionary and now a good friend. The rule is to tell 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting:

1. I am a big talker even though I am shy. I will talk your ears off.

2. I like art in many versions, photography, painting, crocheting (long time ago)

3. My daughter says "that I am always happy and that is unusual these days"

4. I have driven with Hand Controls for 20 years and no accidents that I remember.

5. Went to Germany for our honeymoon.

6. Terrified of Daddy long leg Spiders.

7. Climbed down into a Nuclear Submarine while visiting husband in the Navy.

Now to pass it on to 7 blogs I like, I find hard to do, since I like all of them:

The Breathing Post

Hallelujah Anyhow

A Quest for Cents

Faith Imagined

Mommy has to work

The Joyful Christian Wife

To anyone else who I have not named but would like to play the game.

Two sides

What do you do, when you want to complain but you know it is a blessing? My husband will be working two jobs and that is great with the economy, and a blessing for our finances. I want to mummer and complain, since I have long and lonely days ahead.

There is always two sides to every story. He would say, I think they are long days, what about him working them. Try again to look for the best in every situation. We will make it by the grace of God.

Family Ties

My sister with the baby I keep sometimes. She had a birthday party for being a year older. We are from a large family and that is a blessing.

So do not take your family for granted. We all do until we lose one of them. Be thankful for ordinary dysfunctional family you may have. No one has the perfect family.

My Summer Favorites

I have been tagged by Pilar of The Stark Family to write about my 5 favorite things of this summer.

1. Picnics at the lake with family and friends

2. Having a new baby in the family

3. Visiting My Dad and family in the Mountains

4. Helped my daughter get her first house.

5. My view is so green and beautiful from my window.

Now let me pass the tag on to

Faith Imagined

The Breathing Post

Hallelujah Anyhow

Mommy has to work

Chit Chat

A BUSY DAY

You never know what a day will bring. I started an ordinary day off with going with my husband to look at a house, for a friend. Then it was rush from house to house to real estate office and finally heading toward home.

I get a phone call that Dad needs to go back to Atlanta to be checked, tomorrow. He has to be sure everything is running fine, when it comes to the heart. He needs to be tested.

When we wake up, we need to be Thankful for what we have and realize we never know what a day will bring. Sometimes it is good and some are bad, all in all, it is life.

I am happy to say check out my 70th followers blog. Jim at The Good Man Blog. Here is a line from his blog.

"Remember, a thousand little things together is a big thing. On the other hand, zero little things is also a big thing."

KEEPING HOPE

What will this week bring, for me I know I will work pretty hard keeping a baby. The joys have both good and bad sides. The joy of a baby has it's work with it.

When life is tough, we can keep hope that it will work out. When a baby is growing up, you have patience as it grows, then you have a different kind of joy as it matures.

Remember in life, it takes patience and time before we see the whole picture.

Now I am waiting to see who will be my 70th follower, I will let you know. This is not a big deal for some blogs, that have numerous followers but I told you before, I was surprised at 5.

MY NEW HAIR AND FAMILY

I got a new hair cut today from my cousin at Chillaxin'. She even likes to take a picture, to show a current me, to my blogging friends. One of my friends at Simply Spiritual did notice we are a lot alike, maybe it is family.

The great thing about family is we are all family together. We need to treat each other as our family. We are all in this challenge of life to make the best of it. If you see someone who needs a little help, offer a hand. If you look around, it will not take long to see someone who needs a little hope.

Thankful Thursday

I want to thank Sathira Breaking Mindset in Malaysia. I love seeing the rest of the world blogs. I do appreciate this, she is sweet to give it to me.
I pass it to a few I can name:

Chillaxin' A good Southern blog
The Stark Family
Fallin in the Ring of Fire about marriage
Mommy has to Work

Let me say I am very Thankful for friends. I have found so many after I started Blogging. I encourage my followers to enter my contest by the end of July.

NEW EVENTS

My newest event to tell anyone about is IZEA Fest in Orlando, FL Oct. 1-4, 2009. It is for bloggers, tweeters, etc. Check it out, sounds like a dream vacation. Sea World

I need to give a shout out to my cousin who started blogging about the South of the USA. She writes well so take a look at Chillaxin' Sorry to sound like a salesman but I am partial to my family.

An unusual event happened with my little long term disability check this month. It has been a miracle that they have sold me many times and kept sending the check for 21 years. Now the new company cannot find me? kinda of strange, but I am sure it will work out.

THANKFUL FOR DAD AGAIN

My Dad has went back to the Mountains, needless to say this week has been busy. We are so blessed that Dad did not have to have major surgery, they could do something like glue, to repair him. The miracles of technology, what would have been major surgery a few years ago, can now be repaired easily.

We do have many technologies to be Thankful for. I could name everything like electricity, running water, computers, the list is endless. Some problems also. I think you get the point, just look back over one hundred years.

Do not forget to enter my first giveaway, by entering a comment before July 31st. I definitely appreciate any followers and readers.

TAKE THE RISK

Sometimes I find if I go out on a limb, take risks, I feel so accomplished. It does not matter what it is, big or small, those challenges can be rewarding. When you look back, it is usually to say, what was the big deal?

One small challenge for me is to get out of the house. I seem to see many people who have a tendency to stay home, in the comfort zone. When I push myself to go, I now am usually satisfied that I went.

Another challenge has been to write a blog that makes sense. I started this knowing I am not a writer, but it has been rewarding in so many ways. The blogosphere would understand what I am trying to say.

Now here is a funny leap for you, become my follower and see where that goes. That really makes me smile to type it.

LETTING GO

I will continue with my son joining the Air Force and say I am being selfish. I love the military but I am having a protective Mother moment. I will get more comfortable with the process of letting our children fly away.

I know it is normal for the little ones to grow up and fly away from our nest to make their own nest. I believe it is that way with nature.

I am going through this process of letting them go, more everyday. The old saying is to let them go, and if they love you, they will return. I believe we all have to do that to some degree.

THANKFUL THURSDAY

Today is a hard Thankful Thursday for me. I am so thankful for our Military in America, however, my son just signed the papers to join for four years. He is joining the Air Force and I know it will be good for him. As a mom, I do have pain over him going. I understand that many Mom's have been through this sorrow or worry.

I am very happy for him, but I write this through tears. For some strange reason, every time I talk about it, tears come to my eyes. He will not leave until November but it is another stage of life. I am remembering, it will work out and trying not to be anxious.

I am completely surprised to have a sponsor, U Printing. I am not blogging for money but check them out, every penny counts.

GRATITUDE AGAIN

I am still Thankful for a weekend full of Fourth of July celebrations. We went to our local parade, as a family, which was fun but Hot (MSer's melt in heat). We cannot even understand how blessed we are to live in America, with its imperfection's.

I never say enough about how Thankful I am for my husband's job. I worried enough, and I should spend more time being thankful. All the time worrying was wasted time. Now he is going to college online to improve his job.

Do not forget what our country represents after the holiday is over. We always need to pray for those heroes that protect us in the military.

Thankful Thursday

I cannot remember what site I got that idea and button from. When I do I will post it.

I am Thankful for many things but this week, it will be the Fourth of July and all it represents for Americans. I will not need to write much, since there have been many books written about the Independence Day. I hope we are all Thankful for our Country and pray for it.

AN ACCIDENT AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE

I have not posted lately because of a baby and life. I have been working so that at times, I do not know how I will make it. I do have a big challenge with a baby but it is a rewarding exhaustion. When I raised my two children, it was tough but worth it. I would do it all over again.

My Aunt had a strange accident with a stick, she was trying to do yard work and somehow the stick hit her nose. It went to the bone but the miracle of it, was how close it came to her eye. What happened is uncomfortable but the eye would have been a tragedy.

When my son heard about her accident, he said, "Stuff could always be worse", it could have been her eye. I was wearing my T-Shirt and he might have been teasing, but I believe he was saying what my blog message is. He really did mean it could have been worse.

Let me see who will be my 60th follower? I am really thankful for anyone who reads and follows.

ACCOMPLISH THE IMPOSSIBLE

What happens when you accomplish the impossible, for me, it is exhaustion. I am not complaining, just the facts of MS. I have kept my 2 month old nephew again all day, he is cute as can be, but a baby.

Many have told me it would be too difficult for me in a wheelchair. I always want to try, then I can say I did my best. I still do not know how long I can keep him, but I will continue to take one day at a time.

I am thankful I have had the ability to keep him some. Many would love to keep a baby, but cannot physically. I am grateful for the strength I still have. All that have challenges, be grateful for what you still have.

MY COPPER MINER FATHER

I want to thank all Father's that try to be good Fathers. My husband has been a good father for 22 years now. He helped steer the children to be outstanding adults (I am prejudiced).

My Father raised 5 girls, he worked in the Copper Mines of Copperhill, TN. I always say, "there was copper in them thar hills". He would ride a skip into the ground 3000 feet below the surface. They would dynamite the ground, then send it to the surface to be processed into copper.
We would all be concerned of the mines collapsing or tragedies that do happen. He saw some accidents and he tries to not think about them now. He is one of the few copper miners that is still living.

We always take it for granted, when our parents work hard, until we get older and realize it. Be appreciative of your Fathers that try. They are not perfect, but if they tried, that is great.

SOCIALIZE

I had a MS meeting tonight, we talk about how our lives have been for the past month, good and bad. We are friends, we mainly try to listen.

I did wear my Cafe Press T-Shirt tonight to the meeting. I am impressed with the quality. Some did like the print, said more people need to realize that it could be worse.

Whatever your challenge in life is, try to find someone to talk to. People do need others to socialize with, so give it a try.

SIXTH TAG FROM CARLEEN

This is a fun tag from Carleen at Life, Liberty, and good Coffee

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:
1) Go to your photo files…Select the 6th photo folder
2) Select the 6th photo in that folder
3) Post that photo along with the story behind it.
4) Then challenge 5 blog friends to do the same!



My son going to prom, not a very happy picture for such a happy time. He is going to get me, but I checked it twice. The first time I looked in two different places and they were both flowers. I am such a boring person that both places had a photo of flowers, I do love them. When I went to load the picture, it was my son, whom I love more.

Here are 5 blogs, if they want (I am breaking the rules)

Lisa at How to Achieve Genuine Happiness
Jennifer At Quest for Cents
Momma Youngs at Home
Living Day to Day with MS
Together We Save

A GOOD CHALLENGE

My first, almost whole day, of babysitting went well. I have not kept a baby in 19 years and now I am much older. I am exhausted of course, but I did many chores while the baby was here and after.
I do not know how working mothers have time to blog.

Many MSer's would think I am crazy but I do believe I have a mild form of MS, even though I use a power chair. I improved when I started new medications in the ninety's. I thank God for that, it helps everyone differently.

I take care of the baby with the chair, if I did not, many accidents could happen. If I was not cautious by turning off the chair, such as when he is kicking the trigger, it would be a disaster.

This is another challenge of my life, it does seem like, we all have something to conquer, I have to keep trying. I want all to see, I have just an ordinary life and I do realize some have serious issues to deal with.

DECORATION DAY

This was a beautiful decoration day for my Mother's grave. The mountain folks has an old tradition of decorating the cemetery. When I was a child, family would fly in from many states and enjoy the reunion. We now have small reunions, but the memories are great.

This is my Dad and four sisters, that I am always posting about.

A new life is starting when I keep the baby tomorrow part-time, while my sister works. A new adventure again for me.
Life goes on and we have to make the best of it, before it slips away.