Saturday, November 29, 2008

Meaningful Monday



His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.


Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students, but are not sure how to go about it. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair.


The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and,when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.(Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this church before!).


By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man,very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?


It takes a long time for the man to walk to the front. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.


And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone. Everyone chokes up with emotion.


When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read."



Unfortunately it isn't always easy to be accepting of others. Society being what it is, I think we are all a little bit skeptical of people that we don't know. We tend to size people up by their looks, their dress and their mannerisms. From that comes our decisions as to rather we will allow these people to be even remotely a part of our lives. I try to make a special effort to be accepting of others without pigeon holing them for the reasons I have listed. How sad would it be to have turned away a stranger because they didn't fit what I might think is an "acceptable" way to look or act, only to learn that it was my Creator knocking at my door. After all, He is there within all of us. We just have to look harder to find Him in some.
May your blessings be many this week.
~Jo

Friday, November 28, 2008

Black Friday



I hope this finds everyone recovering from your Thanksgiving Dinner yesterday. We were blessed with the company of Tersie, Britt, T~Bear and Michael (Tersie's Friend) for Thanksgiving Dinner. It was a great having them here. T~Bear made her sugar free chocolate cheesecake for desert. The best way I can express how good it was would be to say "Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!"
After stuffing ourselves yesterday, I made a big pot of Cabbage Soup for dinner today. The left over turkey is going to go into a pot and with a few more ingredients will become turkey and sausage gumbo. Now that will be a treat in a few weeks as we sit by the woodstove and watch the snow coming down outside.

It was heartbreaking to hear the news of the terrorism that is going on in India. So many innocent lives snuffed out like a candle. This news hits especially close to home for us. Our Brit children, Angela and Nick (Nick is British) are living in Abu Dhabi for now. Nick works for Conoco Phillips and is there overseeing the construction of a new refinery. After listening to the news this afternoon, I decided out of curiosity I would search out a map of the area and see just how close Abu Dhabi, UAI is to Mumbai, India. From the map it looks to be just stone's throw away. Please keep Angela and Nick in your prayers and pray for the safety of all that are in harms way.

Today was Black Friday and of course all of the retailers baited their hooks with their best deals in the hopes of getting out of the red before the end of the year. Anyone that has been reading my post for a very long time knows that I just don't get out there and do Black Friday. I am perfectly content to browse through the different retailer web sites and do my shopping from my kitchen while sipping a cup of coffee. The news last night showed hoards of people running through the parking lot at the Jeffersonville outlet stores. It sort of reminded me of the running of the bulls. Then today it was reported that a Wal-Mart associate in Long Island (I think that is the location) was trampled to death by shoppers as he opened he doors to let them in. Somewhere else in the states at a Toys-R-Us store an argument took place and it resulted in someone getting shot.

As a final note the news Wednesday night told of the two turkeys that were invited to the White House so Bush could issue a presidential pardon. I thought big deal, there have been a lot of turkeys (not of the feathered variety) pardoned over the years that really shouldn't have been. As the story went on, I felt my jaw dropping as the reporter took the viewers on a tour of a plush luxury hotel where the two turkeys spent the night and were fed a gourmet meal prior to visiting the White House. Following the pardon, one of the turkeys would fly first class to Disney World where it was to lead the Main Street Parade and then live out the remainder of it's life there. This of course is all good, except for one nagging question in the back of my mind. Who paid for all of this? I mean really...... A night in a luxury hotel eating gourmet food and a first class ticket for an airplane ride can't come cheap. On the off chance that none of this was donated, considering the economy, do we really need to be spending tax payer dollars like that?
Have a blessed weekend.
~Jo

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Happy Thanksgiving


May this Thanksgiving find you
in good health and wrapped
in the love of your family!

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

As You Offer Thanks.....

If you recall not long ago I asked for your prayers for Melody's sister Mindy and then again for her brother Robert. Now I am asking for prayers to go up for her 9 year old nephew, Taylor. Melody's mother has raised him since he was a baby, for reasons I won't go into. Taylor's teeth had come in crooked and she had taken him yesterday to the dentist to discuss the options for getting them straightened. After doing an ultra sound they discovered that the reason his teeth had come in crooked was because he has a mass in his gums. I was going to wait to hear more details from Melody before I posted this. We don't know yet if it is cancer or not...... So I felt an urgency to get a prayer chain started. I know that prayers make a difference and I know that I can count on all of you to spread the word and get even more prayers going up for Taylor. So please add this prayer request to your blogs and your e-mails and as you sit down at your table tomorrow and offer thanks for the gifts you have received through God's Love and Grace, please ask for God to wrap Taylor in His Healing Love.
As a follow up on Mindy and Robert. Mindy is still struggling with toss the cigarettes away. I quit smoking with the help of Chantix, but taking a drug to assist her isn't an option for Mindy because of her health. As for Robert, his test results showed that he has a fatty liver. There are many reasons why a person can acquire this condition, but none of these reasons apply to Robert. It has the doctor scratching his head, so as a result Robert will be undergoing more tests. I will keep you all posted on what is going on with Robert, Mindy and Taylor. I thank each and everyone of you for your prayers and concern.

It was brought to my attention that Xerox is doing something special for our men and women in the Middle East! If you go to this web site, 'Let's Say Thanks' you can pick out a thank you card and Xerox will print it and it will be sent to a soldier that is currently serving in Iraq .

You can't pick out who gets it, but it will go to some member of the armed services. How AMAZING it would be if we could get everyone we know to send one!!!
This is a great site. Please send a card. It is FREE and it only takes a second.Wouldn't it be wonderful if the soldiers received a bunch of these?

No matter what your feelings on the War in Iraq, our military needs to hear from us that we appreciate them and the sacrifices they are making.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Meaningful Monday

The Quilt
As I faced my Maker at the last Judgement, I knelt before the Lord along with the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives, like the squares of a quilt, in many piles. An Angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But, as my Angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I had endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My Angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been.
My Angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness and death, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I had spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully; each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it had been.
I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with eyes wide. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image. The face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you."
I suppose that it is just part of being human that makes us struggle so hard when we are facing trouble, pain, and trials in our lives. Instead of letting go... and letting God take care of these things, we hold on to them with a death grip. May your blessings be many as you travel through this week. May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Meaningful Monday

~ Reflections~

A little boy and his father were walking in the mountains.

Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams,

"AAAhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

~~*~~

To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating,

somewhere in the mountain:"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

~~*~~

Curious, the little boy yells: "Who are you?"

He receives the answer: "Who are you?"

~~*~~

And then the boy screams to the mountain: "You're Stupid"

The voice answers: "You're Stupid"

~~*~~

Frustrated at the response, the boy screams: "I Hate You"

He receives the answer: "I Hate You"

~~*~~

He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"

The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."

~~*~~

The man screams: "You are a champion!"

The voice answers: "You are a champion!"

~~*~~

The boy is surprised, but does not understand.

Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO,

but really this is LIFE. It gives you back

everything you say or do.

Our life is simply a reflection of our actions."

~~*~~

If you want more love in the world,

create more love in your heart.

If you want people to respect you, respect them.

This relationship applies to everything,

in all aspects of life.

Life will give back to you everything you have given to it.


The information that I gave to you on my World Diabetes Day post concerning the dLife television program was wrong. The correct information is:

It airs on CNBC

Sundays, 7PM EST

Hope today is the first day of a blessed week for all.



Sunday, November 16, 2008

Grandpa, Me And Riley Makes Three


I can't begin to tell you how much I love this little guy. Not only is he my first grandson, but he carries my maiden name 'Riley'. He is all about helping. He was out of school on Friday because of teacher parent conferences. Seth went to his sitter and Riley came out on Thursday to spend the night and to spend the next day with us. One of the first things he said was, "Pappaw, I brought my tools!" Well he wasn't going to get any work out of Pappaw since J.D. has been down with some sort of nasty bug going around.

Grandma found plenty to keep him busy though. After breakfast I pulled up the Lego web site for him and he played the games on there until I got some things done in the house that needed doing. By The Way that is a really good site for those that have children or grands looking for a different web site to visit. After lunch and watching the movie "Kung Fu Panda" Riley and I headed outside to tackle the Pampas Grass that needed cut back for the winter. I have four good sized plants that needed to be tied up in a bundle and cut back. We were able to get two of them taken care of before I gave up for the day. We bundled up the first one and Riley fully intended to do the cutting with the loppers. He found out in a heart beat that those stalks don't cut easily. I took over and cut back the first one. We loaded the bundle into the lawn tractor wagon and took it to the back of the yard and piled it up. This winter some of the smaller critters will make their home amongst the clippings. Riley was unloading it while he was still in the wagon and tumbled right out onto the ground. The expression on his face was hilarious. To looked up at me real quick to see if I saw his fall. He looked like he wanted to cry, but right away started to laugh.

After we got the second plant all bundled up, I was distracted by picking up one of my lawn ornaments to store away for the winter. While I was busy with that, Riley took control of those loppers and was bound and determined that he was going to cut this one by himself. Which he did.

Riley is a very unique child. He just plain and simply loves to work. He has been that way all of his life. When we finished with the second plant he was ready to get back to digging on the fire pit we had started months before. I talked him into putting that one off until his visit. I fixed Spaghetti and salad for supper and the child cleaned his plate without leaving even one noodle behind.

I always enjoy it when any of the grandchildren come to visit, but for some reason I especially enjoyed this visit from Riley.

May your blessings be many as you travel through the week ahead and find joy in the love and laughter of a child


Saturday, November 15, 2008

Something Special To Share


San Francisco jumped on the band wagon yesterday and lit City Hall up with blue lights to draw attention to World Diabetes Day. Thank you San Francisco!

Friday, November 14, 2008

World Diabetes Day


The photo above is the creative work of my grand daughter, Britt. She has such a creative eye and knows how to work the camera to express herself and get her point across. Many of you that are regular readers to my post will remember that Britt was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes the last few weeks before her summer vacation was over this year. She has written some of her thoughts and feelings concerning Diabetes to share with you today.



~A Note From Britt~

Diabetes is a big part of life, but it's not as hard to deal with as some people, myself included until just a few months ago, sometimes think. If you work hard to keep your blood sugars level and are responsible and take all the shots or medicine you're supposed to, life is for the most part normal. At times the shots and blood sugar checking can get to be bothersome, but after too long it becomes a very routine part of your day, just like brushing your teeth or showering. My friends have been supportive of me through my transition into life with diabetes (besides the occasional Wilford Brimley joke) and have really helped me along, even if they don't entirely understand WHY I'm "sick" or have to take shots.

World Diabetes Day should be used as an opportunity to help those around us understand what diabetes is and to bust some of the common misconceptions and stereotypes about people with diabetes. Based on some of the questions I get on an almost daily basis from my peers, ("Doesn't sticking yourself hurt?", "Did you get it from eating too much sugar?, "Are you really allowed to eat that?") there are a lot of questions that would do well to be answered for the normal-pancreased among us.

Diabetes is a disease that can be dealt with when you take the proper measures, and it's not as different of a lifestyle as you might think. Let's use today to help people understand what it's all about.

(Thank you sweetheart for sharing with all of us. G'ma and G'pa love you!)



~My Story~


I posted my story about diabetes last spring. It is pretty lengthy so I won't repeat it in this post. Instead I am giving you a link to "Just One Of Those Interruptions". This way if you are pressed for time you can check it out later.
~Help Is As Close As The Click Of A Button~

There is such an abundance of help out there just waiting for everyone touched by Diabetes. There is no discrimination where Diabetes is concerned. Not only does it effect the person that is diagnosed with it, but also our families and friends.
I recently found and joined a wonderful community called TuDiabetics . It is a community made up of Diabetics, families, friends, and care givers. It is a free program that is there to help by giving support, which we all need from time to time, no matter how long we have had Diabetes. You might want to check it out, TuDiabetics really has a lot to offer.

Another great program that is available is AmMed Direct. If you are struggling with the expence of your testing supplies, go by and find out what is available to you there. I posted about my experience with AmMed Direct a while back. I inquired about an ad I had seen about this time last year. I received a follow up phone call from Vicky and life with Diabetes became a little bit easier. I gave her my insurance information and she took care of the rest. About every four months I receive a package from AmMed Direct with my testing supplies. All I have to do is sign and return a little permission card that comes in the package and just like clock work, my next package arrives in another four months. When I tell this story, I like to say that yes, there is a Santa, but sometimes the name is Vicky. Jeffery, another associate of AmMed Direct had found my blog through google and left a really nice comment. You won't regret contacting AmMed Direct, they bend over backwards to help you get your testing supplies with little or no cost to you. By the way...... You don't have to be on medicare to get help from AmMed Direct.
Another favorite web site of mine is Dlife . It has a wealth of information available as well as recipes and support. Dlife is also available as a TV program. We get it here on MSNBC Sunday evenings. check your TV listings.
~Signs Of Diabetes~

1.Frequent trips to the bathroom

2.Unquenchable thirst

3.Losing weight without trying

4.Weakness and fatique

5.Tingling or numbness in your hands, feet or legs

~Signs That Your Blood Sugar Is High~

Causes: Too much food, too little insulin or diabetes medicine, illness or stress.

Onset: Gradual, may progree to a diabetic coma.

~Symptoms~

  1. Extreme Thirst
  2. Frequent Urination
  3. Dry skin
  4. Hunger
  5. Blurred Vision
  6. Drowsiness
  7. Decreased Healing

~What To Do~


  1. Test Blood Glucose
  2. If over 200 mg/dl for several tests or for 2 days >CALL YOUR DOCTOR<

~Signs Of Low Blood Sugar~

Contrary to popular belief, when you are Diabetic and taking insulin or diabetic medicine you do need to have some carbs in your diet. If not you will find your blood sugar bottoming out on you.

Causes: Too little food, too much insulin or diabetes medicine, or extra activity.

Onset: Sudden, may progress to insulin shock.


  1. Shaking
  2. Fast Heartbeat
  3. Sweating
  4. Dizziness
  5. Anxious
  6. Hunger
  7. Impaired vision
  8. Weakness and fatigue
  9. Headache
  10. Irritable

~What To Do~

  1. Drink 1/2 glass of juice or regular soft drink, or 1 glass of milk, or eat some soft candies (not Chocolate).
  2. Within 20 minutes after treatment Test Blood Glucose. If symptoms don't stop, call your doctor.
  3. Then eat a light snack(1/2 peanut butter or meat sandwich and 1/2 glass of milk).


I hope that when you leave Moodscapes, you will be leaving with a little more knowledge of Diabetes. The greatest gift you can give someone with Diabetes is the gift of support and understanding.

I pray that we will see a cure for Diabetes in our lifetime. May your day bring you many blessings and more happiness then you know what to do with.

~Jo

Thursday, November 13, 2008

On Your Mark.... Get Set....

Tomorrow is World Diabetes Day and I am preparing my post for that special day. Meanwhile, I received an e-mail with a link to some very useful information. I know that since the first outbreak of Chicken Flu several years ago, we have been bombarded with the word >>Pandemic<<. I looked at that word as something that would be coming in the future. That is not the case. We already have a Pandemic in the form of Diabetes. I do hope that you will click on the link that I have provided for you and read the press release that you will find there. The numbers alone are staggering, such as over 200 children a day develop Type 1 Diabetes. Think about it....... That would be 73,000 children per year.

Now that I have given you something to read and think about, I will get back to my post for tomorrow. Please check back tomorrow for my World Diabetes Day post. Hopefully I will be providing information that you don't have. Just as important is to let others with this dreadful disease know that they are not alone in their struggle with Diabetes.

~Jo

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Get Involved



Find more videos like this on Tu Diabetes - A Community for People Touched by Diabetes

You ask what you can do???
Watch the Video for some ideas.
(You might want to turn the music off to My Play List or to the video.)

Monday, November 10, 2008

Meaningful Monday


Whispers

The man whispered, "God, speak to me" and a meadowlark sang.

But, the man did not hear.

So the man yelled, "God, speak to me" and the thunder rolled across the sky.

But, the man did not listen.

The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined brightly.

But the man did not see.

And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle." And, a life was born.

But, the man did not notice.

So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here."

Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man. But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.

I think we all get so wrapped up in our problems, sadness and despair that we fail to recognize God's messages when they come to us.

Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.

May your week be filled with many blessings.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Bailout......???



I am wondering what has happened to the bailout for Wall Street. J.D.'s retirement is wrapped up in company stocks. For the past year they have been bobbing up and down by ten to thirty cents in the great sea that is the stock exchange. All of a sudden they took a nose dive and has been struggling to stay afloat. It took place before we even knew what was happening. A few days ago, I checked it at closing and saw that it had gone up by $1.87. Wow...... it was finally starting to come back up. Yesterday it went down a few cents, I thought no big deal, it's just a few cents. ..........And then there was today! It sank like someone had tossed rocks on it. It was down $3.02. I thought all that money that the government was throwing at Wall Street was to help build confidence and get the stock market moving upward again. Guess what! It isn't working! Is it possible that I misunderstood what the bailout money was supposed to do? Someone please clarify this for me. I am thinking perhaps my mind was spaced out from Fibro Fog when they were talking about what the bailout was supposed to accomplish.



Today was a great day. Melody went to a Trace Aikens concert this evening and Chris couldn't leave work early to get the boys from latch key and the sitter. We volunteered to take care of them until their Daddy got home. Seth has a tendency to throw an occasional fit from time to time. Tonight was one of those times. He wanted to go outside and it was starting to get dark so he didn't get to. He did his little madman dance and screamed and cried a bit and did his dance again. We just ignore him when he is throwing these fits and they usually pass pretty quick. Tonight was different though...... Grandma and Pappaw ignored him, but Riley chose to hug his little brother and whisper in his ear over and over, "It's OK Seth, Bubby is here for you!" The way that Riley reached out to Seth and offered him comfort, really touched me. It had quite a calming effect on Seth too. Riley, you are a wonderful big brother and Grandma is very proud of you.


Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.


Dona Nobis Pacem

Dona Nobis Pacem (Grant Us Peace)

Reflections Of Hope
I see the reflections in the water,
as the wind dances through my hair.
The reflections of hope
that once was not there.

How desperate a life becomes
when there seems no hope in view.
When pain, despair, and loneliness
is all that is looking back at you.

I study at length,
the reflections there.
I see a world so self indulged,
that no one seems to care.

We hear children crying out
from abuse that never ends.
Lonely tears cried late at night
from broken hearts that can not mend.

We see children killing children.
It is so hard to understand.
Where is the peace and brotherhood?
What is happening in this land?

The water becomes clouded,
I then look closer to see.
I catch a glimpse of a world gone mad.
Is this what is meant to be?

The Dove of Peace flies overhead.
From its eye falls a tear.
The ripple that it causes,
makes everything perfectly clear.

The hope of peace and happiness
was locked inside of me.
I reach out my hand and take yours,
This vision...........CAN YOU SEE ?

As hand touches hand
I feel the love impart
as heart begins to touch heart.

The Dove of Peace flew overhead.
From its eye fell a tear.
The ripple that it caused
made everything seem perfectly clear.

I saw the reflections in the water,
as the wind danced through my hair.
The reflections of hope
that once wasn't there.
© 1999 Jo Riley Dupree


If Grandmothers ruled the world,
we would all know peace!

Blessings of Peace to all.....


Monday, November 3, 2008

Get Out The Vote

Tomorrow will mark the end to this incredibly long campaign period. Did everyone notice how quickly the campaign turned to a negative smear campaign rather than two people (four counting the hopeful V.P. candidates) expressing what they want to do for our country. To be honest I think they are given far too much time to campaign. They should be able to get their promises (which may or may not be fulfilled) out there for the general public within two months. From that point on, I really do think that the largest percentage of the general public is smart enough to make a responsible decision without having to be witness to mud slinging for six months prior to Election Day.

I hope that everyone that is registered to vote gets out to vote on Tuesday. Not only will the results of this election go down in history no matter which party wins, but the end results of this election is important for our country as well as for the world. I know a lot of people that did the early voting. The news reported that people stood in line for eight hours yesterday to cast their vote early and I look for the lines to be long tomorrow as well.

I have never taken my right to vote lightly. In all of the years that I have been a registered voter, I only missed voting in one election. After watching the HBO movie, 'Iron Jawed Angels' a few years ago, I promised myself that I would never fail to exercise my right to vote unless there just was no way I could. Since the original airing of this movie, I understand that it has been released on video and DVD. I highly recommend it. If you can't find the movie, there is an e-mail 'Why Women Should Vote', that has been circulating that tells the story of the brave women that risked their lives to win women the right to vote. It is a piece of history that I think everyone should take a look at. History was a subject in school that I enjoyed. I remember learning about that time in history when women won the right to vote, but we were not taught what they went through to win that right. Democrat or Republican ...... Get Out The Vote!

I wanted to share these pictures of the boys and their Halloween. Riley was the policeman and Seth was his little jail bird. After Melody got Seth into his costume, Riley wanted to know where Seth's wings were....... Imagine, a jail bird without wings, he didn't even have feathers! Both of the boys had a great time and when the day is done, it just doesn't get any better than falling asleep hugging your little brother.
May your week be filled with blessings.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

It's Me Again Margaret.......


I wanted to take a little time and let you know what is going on with Mindy. She went back to the lung specialist the other day and the news wasn't great, but it was still better than what we had feared before. She has what is known as 'Restrictive Lung Disease' . The doctor told her that he has seen this in senior citizen patients before, but never in anyone so young as Mindy. If she does not quit smoking she will die within two years. She is still struggling with this. As a previous smoker, I know how difficult it is to kick the habit. There is no cure for this disease, but if she is successful with throwing out the cigarettes, if she starts eating and resting better, then she can stop the disease from progressing. There are five stages to 'Restrictive Lung Disease' and Mindy is in stage four. The only cure for her is a transplant and until she reaches the point of taking better care of herself she won't even be considered. She was told also that she needs to be very careful about not being around anyone that is sick, if she should catch a cold or the flu and if it were to turn into pneumonia, she will die. As you can see, prayers are still very much needed for Mindy.


Just a day or two before Mindy went back to the doctor, her brother, Robert was being sent for an ultra sound of his liver. He had been to the doctor and blood work had been done. They were concerned with the results of his liver function numbers. Upon completing the ultra sound he was told that his liver is enlarged and the Doctor will probably have him come in sooner than was planned to discuss the results. Please keep Robert in your prayers as well. Bad news sure does seem to be raining down on this family.


I am feeling quite a bit better. Thank you all for your well wishes and comments while I was away from my blog. It will take me a while to get caught up on everything and everyone. Last Friday was J.D.'s birthday so the two of us went to Olive Garden to celebrate the day. He insisted on wearing his 'Birthday Suit'. I know it was his birthday and he should have gotten to do what he wanted to do, but I just had to draw the line on that one. His 'Birthday Suit' was wrinkled anyway (after all he has had it for 67 years). I offered to iron it for him, but he would have no part of that. Since Britt and T-bear were with their Dad last weekend and Alley Oop was with her Mom, we waited until this weekend when all of the Yankee children and grandchildren could be here to have J.D.'s family birthday dinner. This is the meal where I will be fixing his favorite dish, authentic Cajun Gumbo with potato salad on the side. I will also be fixing a pot of Veggie Soup for the ones that don't care for Gumbo (These Yankee children are hard to please sometimes). Instead of cake we will be having sugar free Cheese Cake. That all takes place tomorrow, except for a lot of the cooking which I will do some of today.

May your weekend be filled with blessings and happiness.